Rose returns to title match

Emily Neideffer had a flashback Tuesday night.

She recorded the kill to end the J.H. Rose volleyball team's 25-19, 25-12, 25-20 sweep of Raleigh Enloe in the 4-A Eastern Regional final, giving the Rampants a berth in Saturday's state title match.

The point was reminiscent of last season, when Neideffer recorded the final kill in the 4-A Eastern Regional on JHR's way to winning the state championship.

“I was beyond excited and it's a really great feeling,” Neideffer said of the last point. “It reminded me of last year's regional championship, but it's a great feeling to know we can all work together and get the job done.”

Neideffer had 11 digs and three blocks, but she got plenty of help from her teammates.

Jamie DeRatt, Caroline Douglas and Aubrey Rushing all dominated at the net, limiting the Eagles' chances on offense.

J.H. Rose coach Norm Cabacar said Tuesday's match was one of the best his team played all season.

“Hoggard pushed us really hard on Saturday, and we expected the same from Enloe,” he said. “Enloe had just knocked off Wakefield and they were coming in here with a lot of pride and enthusiasm that they could come in here and knock off another No. 1 team on their home court, just like they did at Wakefield.”

But Rose (24-0) quickly eliminated Enloe's enthusiasm and offensive chances when the match started.

The visiting Eagles (24-3) were on the defensive for most of the match, scoring more than two points in a row only four times. Rose, on the other hand, had one string of 10 straight points and scored three or more unanswered points 10 times.

“When you keep the pressure on the other team, sometimes they will overplay and make the mistakes,” Cabacar said. “Playing from behind is hard and it takes a lot of energy to catch a team once you are behind. Pressure plays a big part in this game, so we love to stay on top and put the pressure on the opponent.”

JHR's Emily Mannie started the opening game with a kill, and after three separate Rampant rallies, the game ended with a Neideffer kill. Mannie also started Game 2 with a kill, and the Rampants' scored the game's final 10 points, ending with a kill from Neideffer.

Mannie didn't start the final game with a kill, but it did end with a Neideffer kill and the Rampants in their second state title match in as many years.

Contact Ronnie Woodward at rwoodward@reflector.com or (252) 329-9592.