MERRY HILL – If the torch is to pass in the Tarheel Independent Conference, nobody told Ridgecroft School.

The Lady Rams, who started the season with a less than stellar performance last week against Halifax Academy knocked off Lawrence Academy three sets to none in a battle of two of the highly regarded volleyball squads in the TIC.

&uot;I think we played much better as a team,&uot; veteran Lady Rams’ skipper Nancy Brittenham said. &uot;We moved the ball better this week and were much more offensive today than against Halifax.&uot;

The Lady Rams came out of the gate strong and never looked back, winning the first set 25-12.

The teams moved back and forth defensively until Ridgecroft led 10-5. It was at that point, Lawrence rallied behind the serve of Gabby Layton. She took the Lady Warriors to within a single point at 10-9, but Ridgecroft pulled away after breaking the serve.

Junior Sarah Beth Greene rolled off six straight points from her serve to push the Ridgecroft advantage to 20-10 and then had a stellar kill that ended any scoring threat by the Lady Warriors.

Sophomore Jo Revelle Murray served out the game for Ridgecroft to take a 1-0 lead.

Game two saw Lawrence grab an early lead only for Ridgecroft to rally.

Jessica Johnston has four points off her serve and Caitlin Sexton added two more to give Lawrence a 10-5 advantage.

Rachel Revelle got the Lady Rams going, serving off four consecutive points to deadlock the score at 12-all.

The teams traded defensive scores until senior Jessica Misse had six consecutive points scored off her serve to give Ridgecroft a 22-16 lead. They closed out the set with a 25-18 win.

In the third set, the Lady Warriors gave notice they weren’t going to die without a fight. Junior Jessica Johnston and Outten both ended up stretched out on the floor diving for digs that saved points for the Lady Warriors and gave them a 3-0 advantage.

Jodi White served three straight points a minute later to give Lawrence a 7-3 advantage. They eventually led 11-7 before the Lady Rams rallied.

Lauren Lilley served the Lady Rams back even and the match went back-and-forth until it was deadlocked at 22-all.

The Lady Rams’ defense gave them a 23-22 lead before a great rally that saw both sides going all out. Murray gave Misse four consecutive sets, three of which, Outten, Morgan Phelps or Johnston dug out, but the fourth one found its mark and Ridgecroft won the final set 25-22.

&uot;It’s hard to say that one or two were outstanding when they all played so well,&uot; Brittenham said. &uot;Jessica Misse was outstanding today, but I was pleased with the way we played as a team.&uot;

On the other side, Lawrence volleyball boss Gennia Winslow was less pleased with her team’s effort.

&uot;We just didn’t play the way we’re capable of playing,&uot; Winslow said. &uot;Ridgecroft did a good job no doubt, but I wasn’t pleased with the way we played.

&uot;It was like everything we did, none of it was right,&uot; she closed.

The Lady Rams host Pungo Christian Academy today (Thursday) while Lawrence played at Northeast on Wednesday.