Heritage volleyball survives Broad Run
By Jason S. Rufner
The Heritage Pride volleyballers dropped two of their first three games against host Broad Run before rallying to win the final two games to earn a hard-fought victory Sept. 9 in Ashburn.
The Pride outlasted the Spartans 25-16, 24-26, 21-25, 25-18 and 15-7 in their first five-game match of the season.
"I think we needed to get a five-gamer under our belt. I think that's going to be great experience as we get into the rest of the season," said junior libero Megan Beckwith.
After falling in games two and three, Heritage coach Carmel Keilty reminded her players to get back to "playing their game."
"I think we lost our focus. Broad Run was very focused, kept us off-balance. They played well; they're a great program," Keilty said. "But we got our intensity in the end."
It was the second time within four days that the two schools met on the court. The Pride swept the Spartans in a two-game match Sept. 6 at the Herndon Invitational Tournament with a combined score of 50-32. Heritage placed second behind the host Hornets in that tournament; Broad Run finished third out of eight schools.
Having seen Heritage so recently, Broad Run coach Ellen Petty-Roberts feels that her team was prepared for the Pride.
"The girls were excited, they were into the game, they were passing, the sets were there," she said. "Everything all around just clicked."
Beckwith led Heritage in digs with 30, often bumping it to freshman setter Stephanie Yokoyama, who finished with 52 assists. Hard-hitting lefty sophomore Lian Bernett paced the Pride with 20 kills. Keilty's lone senior, Ashley Scott, provided 15 service points.
The Spartans' tallest player, versatile Elisa Scudder, led with eight kills and bumped 19 digs, second to Carolyn Pearce's 21. Freshman Mallory Brickerd contributed seven kills and knocked back nine blocks.
The win keeps Heritage unbeaten in the Dulles District, a status they share with their Leesburg rivals at Loudoun County. The Raiders and the Pride square off Sept. 23.
Keilty said that the Dulles District contains several programs that are dangerous at any time, the Spartans among them.
"Anybody can beat anybody on any given night, so you gotta be ready to play and your heart's got to be in it the whole time," she said.
After suffering its first district loss of the season, Broad Run plays County at home next on Sept. 11. That same night, Heritage takes on Briar Woods in Leesburg.