ASKEWVILLE – Northeast Academy continued to show their early season prowess here Friday.

The Lady Eagles used straight sets to defeat home-standing Bethel Christian Academy and earn their fourth victory of the young season. Northeast won by counts of 25-4, 25-19 and 25-14.

In just its sixth year of existence, the Northeast volleyball program has never started 4-0 until this season and that has sixth-year coach Cap Pfeiffer pleased with where his team is.

“We’ve played some tough matches,” he said. “We’ve never been 4-0 before, so that is definitely an accomplishment, especially when you consider we only have three returning starters from last year’s team.”

Those three starters – seniors Kelly Sykes, Jennifer Sykes and Lacy Pfeiffer – have paced the Lady Eagles early.

“I’m real pleased with the way the seniors have played all season and that was true again today,” Pfeiffer said after Northeast topped Bethel Christian in a non-conference contest. “I think overall our girls are feeling good about themselves so far.”

In Friday’s victory, Jennifer Sykes had an outstanding afternoon, recording 10 assists, eight aces, four digs, four kills and three tips. Her sister, Kelly, was also stellar with six kills, five aces, three assists and one dig.

Rounding out the senior influence was Pfeiffer, who recorded eight aces, three kills, a dig and a tip for the visiting Lady Eagles.

“Our serving is really one of our strong points thus far this season,” Cap Pfeiffer said. “Through four matches, we have served the ball really well.”

In addition to the three seniors, the Lady Eagles got excellent play from Lauren Edwards, who recorded three kills on the afternoon along with one ace. Dayna Barnes had two aces and one assist while Brittany Bolton added one ace, one dig and one kill.

“Bethel’s kind of going through a rebuilding process right now,” Pfeiffer said. “They worked hard and I appreciated the chance to play there.”

The coach said he wanted his team to continue their hard work both in practice and in games as the season continues.

“I like the attitude of this team,” he said. “The kids are working really hard.”

Northeast will get another test Thursday afternoon when they travel to Hobgood Academy for their Tarheel Independent Conference opener.

“We’re both undefeated, so I’m looking forward to going over there,” Pfeiffer said. “We’ve never beaten them, so we’ll see what happens.”