It’s only August, but Eno River volleyball may have already secured its biggest comeback of the year.
On a quirky night, the Bobcats were down two-sets-to-one against Research Triangle Charter Academy on Tuesday as they ventured into the fourth set. Then the Eagles roared out to an 11-0 lead against the Bobcats.
Instead of packing it in, the Bobcats charged back behind superior serving. Behind sophomore Maddie Spohr, Eno River had seven aces in the fourth set, closing the frame on a 9-2 run. Another sophomore, Monica Pierce, ended the frame with an ace on set point as the Bobcats won 25-20 to force a final frame.
From that point forward, the Bobcats dominated. Sophomore Veda Kukovich had consecutive aces as the Bobcats started the frame on a 6-1 run. Eno River closed the match by scoring the final four points, including a block from freshman Juliana Javins on match point to win 15-6.
Eno River went 2-1 to open the season.
It appeared the Bobcats would open the match by scoring the opening four points. After an Eagle return went into the net, the officials stopped the match because of confusion over the Bobcats starting lineup and numerals, since it was opening night. It led to a 20-minute delay and the opening four points of the match being nullified. In essence, the officials declared a do-over and the Eagles wound up with the opening serve.
That wound up playing a big part of the flow of the match. Without the Bobcats hot start, Research Triangle was able to get settled in. Eno River led 22-19 after an ace by Molly Pierce. But the Eagles closed on a 7-1 run and won the opening set 25-23.
Pierce, who finished with a team-high 13 digs, had ten digs in the second set, which the Bobcats won 25-20. Junior Johanna Jans earned the first set of the Bobcats season with a spike assisted by sophomore Jayda Peoples.
On the night, Johns led Eno River with eleven kills.
The Eagles won the third set 25-20. Pierce still had two aces in the third set.
Eno River opened the season playing three matches in three nights. On Wednesday night, Clover Garden School defeated the Bobcats 3-1 in Hillsborough. Spohr led the Bobcats with eleven kills and three aces. Jans registered eight kills. Pierce had a team-high 20 digs, along with six kills. Senior setter Rylee Hall had 32 assists.
On Thursday, the Bobcats defeated Graham 3-0 in its first road trip of the year. The Bobcats won on scores of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-9.
The Red Devils fell to 1-2.
Eight different players registered 25 kills for the Bobcats. Spohr led the way with seven kills. Jans finished with five kills and five aces. The Bobcats finished with 24 aces on the night. Hall led the way with seven aces, while Kukovich added five aces. Once again, Hall led the way with 25 assists. Senior outside hitter Jules Betancourt had four kills.
After going 2-1 to open the season, Eno River will prepare for the start of Triangle North Conference play. They will open league play against Oxford Prep in Granville County on Monday. It will be the first of three matches over four days. On Wednesday, the Bobcats will host Excelsior Classical Academy in Hillsborough. On Thursday, they will step out of conference play to face Woods Charter in Chapel Hill.
Last year, the Bobcats finished 16-7. They went 8-4 in the Triangle North Conference, good enough for third place. Falls Lake, which won the conference championship with a 12-0 league record, would go on to win the 1A State Championship. Next week, Falls Lake Academy will face Orange in Hillsborough.
Vance Charter finished second in the Triangle North with a 10-2 record in 2025.
