Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LASKER – Despite playing well for two sets, Northeast Academy came up short in their varsity volleyball match with Albemarle on Tuesday.

Northeast dropped the Tarheel Independent Conference opener in straight sets: 25-10, 25-21 and 25-21.

In set number one, Chloe Long got things started for the Eagles with a dig and then recorded a point on her own serve to help NEA take a 2-0 lead.

The game stayed close with Long and junior Alicia Watts each scoring kills for Northeast as they took a 6-3 lead.

Albemarle rallied to take a 9-6 lead, but Long scored another dig and Watts scored on her serve as they Eagles closed within 10-9.

From there, it went downhill for NEA as Albemarle outscored them 15-1 to take the 25-10 victory.

Set number two didn’t start well for the Eagles as they trailed 5-1, but senior Hayes Hatcher took control of the match with her serve. She rolled off nine straight points, including one ace and six serves that weren’t returned.

The result was a 12-7 advantage for the Eagles.

Albemarle struck back with five straight points off the serve of senior Scarlett Simpson as the match was tied at 12-all.

Long delivered a winning shot to stop the run and then Angel Barnes scored three points on her serve, including a winning shot from junior Lyndsay White as Northeast went on top 17-13.

Albemarle went back in front 21-17, but a winning shot from Jessa Pope and a serve from White got the Eagles within 21-18.

The Colts went ahead 24-19, but the Eagles didn’t give in as Camryn Rawls had a winning shot and Pope had a tip to close within 24-21.

The Colts, however, won the defensive point to take set two.

Albemarle jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the third set behind the strong serve of junior Addison Delosreyes, but Northeast didn’t give in.

After earning the serve, Long rolled off seven consecutive points thanks to an ace, as well as a kill by Watts, a tip by Hatcher and a winner by Pope as they took an 8-6 edge.

The teams stayed close for much of the rest of the way. Pope, Hatcher, Rawls and Watts all had key plays to keep the Eagles ahead by two (13-11).

Each team took advantage of mistakes as they stayed close.

Long’s ace and Hatcher’s kill helped Northeast lead 21-20, but the Colts rallied for a late win thanks to Simpson’s serve.

In the jayvee match, Northeast jumped out to an early lead, winning set one before Albemarle rallied to take sets two and three.

Zoie Creech started things well with a pair of serves as the Eagles led 2-0. Maci Ricks then added a trio of serves, one thanks to a winning shot by Sabrina Piland, as Northeast led 6-2. An ace from Caylee Long helped Northeast surge to an 8-4 advantage.

Both teams played well and the match stayed close. Piland made a pair of points and Creech and Jordyn Umphlett did the same with the Eagles ahead 13-11.

The match was still close when Creech recorded a dig and then Ricks had five straight points on her serve – thanks to shots by Piland and Long – as Northeast went ahead 20-16. A winner by Italia Ferrante and a serve by Long helped the Eagles take a 22-17 advantage.

Piland’s serve closed the game out a few moments later with the Eagles winning 25-21.

Despite solid play from Creech, Ricks and Ferrante, the Eagles fell behind and never recovered as Albemarle claimed a 25-16 win in set number two.

The Colts surged ahead 4-2 early, but a winning shot by Umphlett and four straight points from Ferrante helped the Eagles take the lead. Creech added a kill during the run as Northeast led 7-4.

The teams battled back-and-forth as each scored on defensive points.

Long had a kill that closed Northeast within 13-12, but two straight points helped Albemarle earn the victory.