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Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012

Charlotte Latin once again dominates state

By Jay Edwards
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/11/20/18/44/MdO0.Em.138.jpeg|210

    Charlotte Latin senior Eve Davis is the South Charlotte News volleyball player of the year. COURTESY OF ELLEN KAZURA

  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/11/20/18/44/1b8AZX.Em.138.jpeg|475

    Ardrey Kell volleyball coach Zoe Bell. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

  • All-South Charlotte News Volleyball Eve Davis, Charlotte Latin, Sr: N.C. State commit set school record for career kills. Emma Price, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: Belmont commit had Observer-area best 1,031 assists. Kellie Williams, Charlotte Latin, Jr.: Expected to be go-to player next year after 344 kills, 380 digs this season. Caitlin Watkins, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: Led Knights with 360 kills on way to 4A state title. Rachel Eppley, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: SW4A Co-Player of the Year, 4A state finals MVP and N.C. State commit did a bit of everything for Knights with 276 kills, 378 digs and 48 aces. Casey Rieger, Providence High, Sr.: Two-time SW4A Player of the Year (co-player of the year this season) had another big season. Mattie Newson, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.: Samford commit is one of Charlotte’s best defensive players with Observer-area best 613 digs. Megan Lewis, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.: Bucs’ setter directed potent offense with 928 assists. Kaitlyn Massey, Charlotte Catholic, Jr.: Another multi-talented player with 310 kills, 289 digs and 64 aces. Shelby Nassar, Covenant Day, Sr.: All-state pick had 369 kills to help lead Covenant Day to Metrolina Athletic conference title. Sydel Curry, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: All-state setter and Dell Curry’s daughter follows in her mother, Sonja’s, footsteps, continuing volleyball career at Elon University. Annaka Beatty, Butler, Jr.: All-SW4A pick had a big year with 600 assists and 71 aces.

Correspondent

For most of the last decade, Suzie Pignetti and her Charlotte Latin volleyball program have dominated the state like no other team.

This year, Latin added to their championship resume, winning a ninth straight N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A state title 3-2 in dramatic fashion over rival Charlotte Country Day.

Latin (38-1) has gone 265-11 in the last nine seasons, averaging more than 29 wins per season.

Country Day (32-4) and Brian Rosen nearly knocked off Latin as they led 2-0 in the championship match before falling.

Ardrey Kell (31-1) won the 4A state championship, beating undefeated Leesville Road in the final at N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum.

Zoe Bell helped lead the Knights’ volleyball program to their first state title after losing in the 2009 final.

Player of the year: Eve Davis, Charlotte Latin – Eve Davis is used to finishing strong on the volleyball court. Down 2-0 to rival Country Day in the state title match, Davis helped will her team back to its fourth championship in her four seasons. She had 32 kills and 26 digs in the final match.

Davis finished her Latin career with a school-record 1,987 kills, including 654 kills this season.

Davis is signed to play at N.C. State next year.

Coach of the year: Zoe Bell, Ardrey Kell – Zoe Bell led the Knights to their first 4A volleyball title, going 31-1 overall and 14-0 in conference to win the Southwestern 4A title. Ardrey Kell swept previously unbeaten Raleigh Leesville Road to win it all.

Bell notched the fifth state title of her career after winning four championships at Providence High, putting her one short of tying the NCHSAA record.

Jay Edwards is a freelance writer. Have a story idea for Jay? Email him at jedwardsjr23@gmail.com.

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