CHOCOWINITY — Southside volleyball started out strong against Mattamuskeet on Monday, convincingly winning the first set, but tailed off a bit as the match progressed. Despite the let-off, the Seahawks hung on to win in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22, 26-24, picking up their first win of the season in the process.

In spite of the win, Southside (1-4) head coach Atyana Starkie wasn’t completely satisfied with her team’s performance.

“I feel like we played to their (the Mattamuskeet Lakers’) level today. I said (to my team), ‘play to our potential. No matter what they play, we play our game.’ We played around way too long,” Starkie said. “It’s frustrating to watch because I know we go way harder than that.”

The Seahawks stormed out of the gates, establishing a 14-6 lead over Mattamuskeet in the opening set. Both teams began trading points with neither squad able to string together a run. The strong start to the set was enough for Southside, as it won 25-15.

The Seahawks started the second set in similar fashion, taking a 14-6 lead. The play of Jacqueline Wood was instrumental for the Seahawks, as she used her speed to hustle around the court and keep points alive. Mattamuskeet called a timeout trailing 20-14 and the break did the Lakers wonders. Mattamuskeet stormed back, cutting Southside’s lead to 22-20. But the Seahawks found their composure and closed out the second set, 25-22.

The third set was tightly contested throughout, with four lead changes. The Seahawks started out by taking a 6-1 lead, but the Lakers quickly closed the gap to 10-8. Mattamuskeet took the lead at 15-14, and the two squads went back and forth the rest of the way.

With the score 24-23, the Lakers had a chance to win the set, but their service game let them down, leveling the score at 24-24. Southside’s Logan Braxton gave her team the lead and match point with a serve that hit the top of the net and dropped on Mattamuskeet’s side. The winning point came courtesy of Darah Cole after a long, intense rally.

One thing Starkie said she wants to see more from her team moving forward is more aggression on the court. She said there are many aspects to improve upon, but there is one thing her team can take away from the first win of the season.

“To see what it feels like to win, to be a winner,” Starkie said. “But we still have a lot to work to do. Just take that (feeling) and move forward to our next game.”

Southside will go for win No. 2 today, as the Seahawks host Columbia.