GVB: North Kingstown holds off third-set rally from rival South Kingstown to win eighth consecutive match, advance to Semifinals

By Steven Brien

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.  -- Junior Kayleigh Garrepy powered North Kingstown High with 20 kills, nine digs, and three crucial blocks to a 3-0 sweep over rival South Kingstown on Thursday night, 25-16, 25-x, 25-19., marking its eighth consecutive victory. 

Garrepy has firmly established herself as the leader of the team, scoring 224 kills through 18 games this season. Garrepy sealed the win alongside Lucy Steppen with a clutch block at the net, ending the Rebels' comeback attempt. 

“We’re super excited. We’re just happy that we get to come back tomorrow and practice, and we have the chance to continue, and hopefully get to win the championship,” said sophomore Isla Arnold , woadded eight kills, including four in the first set. 

“We just have really good chemistry, we have classes together in school, we do a lot of talking. We do a lot of things outside of class together too, and we just do a lot of team bonding,” Arnold said. “My coaches help a lot, they are always giving me tips. Yeah, just working really hard every day in the gym.”

“I think we come out and work hard, and we have a really good relationship on and off the court too. I think that really helps, we have good relationships with our settlers,” Garrepy said, “really good relationships off the court, we’re all best friends. It really is a good factor when it comes to actually playing.” 

Junior Tayla Schneider directed the offense with 31 assists and added three aces, pushing her season total to 487 assists. Freshman Rachel Hesford chipped in with four digs and three aces to help steady North Kingstown’s serve receive and transition play.

“I just like the energy of the entire group,” coach Brian Garrepy added. “The first two points, set 1 and set 2, those two points kind of were awesome to watch. They were rallies, they were going back and forth, there was some sloppy play, some good defensive pickups.” 

“We’re 14- and 15-years old, in a lot of those spots,” Garrepy continued, “sometimes I forget they’re 15, and it’s the first night they’re seeing varsity time in a playoff game. So, it’s a lot of new faces and everyone from the bench to the players on the court, everyone was engaged in the match.”

North Kingstown controlled the first two sets with sharp defense and consistent blocking, limiting South Kingstown’s offensive rhythm. But the third set brought drama.

After falling behind 8-2, the Rebels mounted a comeback, eventually taking a 16-15 lead behind a surge of net pressure.

“I should’ve gone with Gabby (Lawton) who’s an outstanding blocker. And, I did in the third, and she stepped up,” South Kingstown head coach Iain McCoy explained. “Gabby’s a junior (and) she stepped up huge on the right side, with some offensive blocks.” 

Lawton finished with one kill, while sophomore Lila Moffitt added four kills and three digs.

McCoy praised his players’ toughness despite the loss, noting the resilience of senior Annah Previte, who continued playing after reopening a cut on her leg mid-match.

“She’s bleeding and still playing,” McCoy said. “It’s everyone’s ability to step up that makes me proud as a coach, to say the least.”

“Nine hitting errors on our end,” Garrepy said of his team. “We’re up 8-2, and then we had nine hitting errors the rest of the way. My adjustment was having (assistant coach) Corey Maack go out there and yell for the first time at the kids about pursuit.”

The loss marked the end of McCoy’s four-year tenure leading South Kingstown.

“I’ve put as much as I can into this program. I think it’s time, especially for the young group of talented athletes coming up, that a new voice might help them out,” McCoy said. “This team is going to go places, and it’s very hard to step away. But, I’m excited to see what they do.”

No. 1 North Kingstown (17-1) will play in the Division I semifinals Tuesday as it continues its run for a fourth consecutive championship.

South Kingstown (5-14) ends its season but will look to rebuild with its returning core next year.