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Sophomore Bella Bullock and Freshman Kensley Smith observing the Pirates warmups.,
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Team prayer in the hallway before the whistle is blown to start the game.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Abby Douna resting her arms around her teammates.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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A left-handed, right-side swing from Aydriona Jackson.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Abby Douna hitting a 2-ball deep into the court.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Seniors Katelyn Woodard and Autumn Wyatt helping the JV team warmup.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Setter Annabella Todd and Defensive Specialist Finley Mahler after sending the ball over the net.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Freshman Aydriona Jackson waiting to serve.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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The players gather on the endline before the Pledge of Allegiance.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Sophomore Alexis Anderson preparing to pass.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Scoreboard shows a tight matchup, even early in the game.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Freshman Finley Mahler ready for the return after a backrow attack.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Twin Pressley and Paisley Wilson’s court shoes while lined up at the net.
Photo by Emma Lockner
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Team huddled on the court in order to regroup for the next point.
Photo by Emma Lockner
Categories:
9/09 JV Volleyball Vs Topsail
Topsail sadly defeats the West Brunswick Trojans in a JV volleyball match.
Oct 1, 2025
Photo by Emma Lockner
Team prayer in the hallway before the whistle is blown to start the game.
The West Brunswick Trojans JV volleyball team hosted the Topsail Pirates in an intense matchup Tuesday evening. Despite showing impressive grit and flashes of strong play, the Trojans ultimately fell in two out of three sets, with the Pirates walking away with the win.
The gym buzzed with energy as both teams took to the court, warming up for the first 5 minutes with hitting lines. West Brunswick setters Tameya Thomas and Annabella Todd set the ball smoothly through the air, ready to be slammed down. Whether it was a cross shot or a line drive, the Trojans came out swinging. The Pirates are known for their strong swings and high blocks, which set the standard high for the defensive players in this match.
West Brunswick opened the first set strongly, displaying quick reflexes and tight communication. The points were bouncing back and forth between teams, leading to a close draw towards the end of the set. Within the final points of the game, Pirates setter and captain Anaya Redd tossed the ball outwards, allowing outside hitter Emma Mcdaniel to slam the ball in the deep back corner, ultimately giving the Pirates the lead.
At the start of the second set, the Trojans bounced back with renewed energy and responded with smart plays, using their defensive advantage to send free balls just out of reach. Topsail’s defense got sloppy, forcing several unforced errors. The Pirates called a timeout in an attempt to ice West Brunswick’s server, Pressley Wilson, who had served over 5 aces in a row. The timeout worked, as Wilson missed her next serve and the Pirates gained the serve, taking that opportunity to win the second set.
Although the loss stings, West Brunswick showed resilience and plenty of promise for the remainder of the season. Every set was a battle where both teams displayed traits of persistence, grit, and promise for a strong foundation in future matches, showing that they’re a competitive force to watch this season. West Brunswick and the Topsail will meet once again in Pirate territory, where the Trojans are excited for revenge.
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About the Contributor
Emma Lockner, Staff Writer
Emma Lockner is a 16-year-old student-athlete who is starting her second semester in the West Wind. Lockner aspires to be an architectural engineer or an occupational therapist after attending Duke or UNC Chapel Hill. She was born and raised in Ocean Isle Beach, and one of her favorite activities is watching the sunrise on the beach with bagels and coffee or spending some time at the peak of a mountain.
“I love, love, love traveling–one of my goals is to travel the world,” said Lockner. “When I was little, I always dreamed of becoming a traveling photographer to give people a new perspective on our beautiful world.”
When Lockner heard the journalism program had photography, she instantly enrolled. She has always thought that seeing a moment you experienced from a third party can validate all the emotions you saw and felt.
“Journalism has opened my eyes to a new world,” said Lockner. “This class has not only taught me new ways to express my thoughts through my ‘writer’s voice’ but also opened my eyes to broadcast and design.”
Lockner values team efforts; it’s a big reason why she loves sports. She has played soccer competitively since she was little, but in 7th grade she discovered volleyball, which became her main passion.
“I never thought I would find more passion in a class rather than a sport,” said Lockner. “I’ve learned so much and can’t wait for the new knowledge and experience to come.”