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Heritage volleyball setting up well
Loudoun County may be the defending Dulles District and Group AA state champions with its 28-0 mark in 2007, but the cross-town volleyballers at Heritage may have something to say about County's chances to repeat in 2008.
The Pride opened their season Aug. 30 at J.E.B. Stuart High School with the Raider Rumble Tournament, and added a trophy to their case by defeating Group AAA opponents Brooke Point, McLean and Stuart, Springbrook (Md.) and the independent St. Agnes.
Middle hitter Ashley Scott was named to the All-Tournament team.
Heritage returned to Leesburg to open the Dulles District schedule Sept. 2, sweeping an up-and-coming Potomac Falls squad by combined game scores of 75-58.
Not surprisingly, coach Carmel Keilty is pleased with her charges' work thus far.
"We are a really good team right now," she said. "I can't single anyone out. The six we have on the floor and the four on the bench are all playing very well as a team."
Keilty may not be able to single out individual players, but she does note individuals whose improvements may be key to bettering their third-place district finish a year ago.
"Ashley Scott has done a very nice job for us," said Keilty of her senior hitter, the current team-leader in kills with 34. "She's become a real leader on the court."
Sophomore Emma LeMaitre, in her second year of varsity competition, has become "a really important part of our team," according to Keilty, who noted LeMaitre's improvement in hitting technique.
As in any sport, defense wins games and junior libero Megan Beckwith helps Keilty do just that. Beckwith is the current team-leader in digs with 61.
Freshman setter Stephanie Yokoyama paces the Pride with 108 assists.
Such all-around efforts will be necessary as Heritage progresses through the Dulles District schedule. Established power Broad Run, who opened their season with a 3-0 victory against an improving Briar Woods team, comes for a visit Sept. 9.
After three more Dulles matches and a visit from Group AAA Battlefield, Sept. 23 brings the intra-Leesburg rivalry with the Raiders.
"Volleyball in the Dulles District is very very good," said Keilty, who between Heritage and Loudoun Valley has been coaching local prep volleyball for more than 20 years.
Keilty has particularly noticed the increase in quality of play during the past decade, as female athletes choose to focus on the sport and dedicate themselves year-round.
"I think girls see that it's an exciting, different, fun game," she said.
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