Raiders continue win streak
By Jason S. Rufner
With a three-victory day in the round-robin Surebet Volleyball Classic Sept. 13 at Stone Bridge High School, the Loudoun County Raiders ran their streak of consecutive victories to 36.
The 2007 Virginia AA champion Raiders (8-0) have not lost a match since 2006.
The winning streak nearly ended in the Raiders' second contest. Loudoun County needed a decisive fifth game to outlast Group AAA school Westfield 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 18-25 and 17-15.
The Raiders also defeated Sherando 25-16, 25-18, 22-25 and 25-11 and Stone Bridge 25-22, 25-21 and 25-21.
Loudoun County's tallest player, Shaylin O'Connell, a 6-foot-1 senior middle hitter, set the pace with 38 kills and 18 blocks during the tournament's three matches.
Sophomore libero Kathleen Horvath bumped 36 digs, while setters Robin Marsala and Katie Martin supplied the bulk of the Raiders' assists with 54 and 41, respectively.
The host Bulldogs (2-5) defeated Sherando 25-13, 27-25 and 25-23, but fell to Westfield and Loudoun County.
Lindsay Gill provided 61 digs for Stone Bridge, while Lily Vera set up 74 assists and Sarah Norton hit 35 kills, all team-leading totals.
Panthers earn trophy
The Potomac Falls Panthers swept through the Waynesboro Invitational Sept. 13, defeating the host Little Giants and Group AAA Stafford and Culpeper to add three wins to their record for a 7-2 mark.
For the tournament, Potomac Falls won eight of nine games, outscoring the opposition by a 222-161 total.
Tori Janowski, Cat Jones and Sara Hibson were selected as All-Tournament performers for the Panthers.
Janowski contributed an all-around effort with 27 kills, 39 digs and 34 assists while serving up 17 aces, all team-leading stats. Jones added 17 kills and 12 digs, knocking back 15 blocks. Hibson delivered 22 kills and 11 digs.
Team records are through Sept. 15.