RALEIGH - An early point during Wednesday night's match turned out to be a telling sign for Crusaders volleyball coach Logan Barber. Playing against Cardinal Gibbons biggest rival in Apex, Barber watched two of his Crusaders dive on the floor to dig out spike attempts from the Cougars.

Cardinal Gibbons went on to win the point on a spike from outside hitter Madison Bugg.

"Just like we drew it up!" Barber yelled at his team.

Barber could tell the sequence gave the Crusaders energy. And though he joked during that particular moment, the Crusaders went on to execute everything Barber asked for in a smooth 25-10, 25-16, 25-15 victory.

"This was really an impressive performance because everything we focused on in practice came out in the game," he said. "Every detail that we talked about in the last month was there for us."

Cardinal Gibbons, the No. 1-ranked team in the News & Observer, never trailed at any point of the three games and built their lead by being aggressive at the net.

Middle hitters Carolyn Albright and Lauren Willoughby combined for 14 kills, and both were instrumental in never letting Apex find a rhythm.

"We have a lot of talent, and we know each other so well," said Willoughby, who had five kills. "Once they get that point, that pushes us to work harder, and we're able to come together."

In the second game, Barber instructed Haleigh Nelson to play the majority of her time at the net.

At 6 foot 3, Nelson gave the Crusaders (2-0) an advantage the Cougars couldn't counter. Even when the third-ranked Cougars (4-2) attempted to get the ball over the net instead going for a kill, Nelson was there to send a surprise volley back over the net for the point.

"It's such a rush to get a block, and all I've been waiting for this week was to beat Apex," said Nelson, as she led all players with eight blocks. "I love getting blocks, and nobody expects it when I time the other team's volleys."

Nelson's performance was so dominant in the second game it allowed Bugg, perhaps the Crusaders' best player, to have an average match. If Nelson didn't get her hands on the ball, her presence was enough at times to force Apex into errors.

"She's our emotional leader on the court and she can really push the level of everyone's energy," Barber said of Nelson. "The physical matchup she creates can be difficult for teams, but her technique has really come along."

To win the third game, Cardinal Gibbons setter Victoria Phillips would appear to pass the ball to Nelson near the net but attempts would find a running Bugg. The attention Apex gave Nelson allowed Bugg a clear lane for her team-leading 11 spikes.

"I think Madison did exactly what we needed her to do," Barber said. "Last year, she was leading more overall, so it's good that everyone else has improved this year."