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Raiders sweep Pride to net first place
Loudoun County retained volleyball supremacy -- in the Dulles District and in the town of Leesburg -- Tuesday night with an intense 25-11, 25-18 and 26-24 victory against visiting Heritage.
The Raiders (7-0, 11-0) did not ease through the match unchallenged. County breezed through the first game, but was sternly tested by Heritage (6-1, 11-2) in the final two games.
The matchup of Leesburg-based schools sporting 6-0 district marks brought out the fanatics and the face paint, as each school's fanbase was heartily represented, creating a raucous atmosphere.
"They've been excited to have a home game," said County coach Jenica Matthias, whose team hadn't played a game in their own gym in 21 days.
Each team excelled defensively, as games two and three produced several long volleys. The frontline hitters were key to the result, as County's Shaylin O'Connell (13) and Juliane Hanna (11) were able to land more kills than Heritage counterparts Lian Bernett (9) and Emma LeMaitre (8).
"The girls were hitting awesome," Matthias praised.
Matthias was particularly pleased by dispatching the Pride in straight games.
"I wanted to go three games. I wanted our girls to play tough because I knew we could," Matthias said. "And then when [Heritage] didn't win a game, that was even more exciting. They're a very good team."
The Raiders ended the games on unanswered streaks of six, seven and three points, respectively.
Heritage coach Carmel Keilty believes that the match's intensity might have had an effect on her team's play.
"They're high school kids. They want it just as badly as County does," she said. "We just couldn't get over the hump."
The Pride did not have a streak of more than three points during the match.
"This is a big rival right here, and sometimes the kids really really want it, and sometimes the emotions get in the way," Keilty said. "Hopefully next time they won't."
Heritage, which three days prior had swept a formidable Group AAA foe in Battlefield, is now alone in second place in the Dulles District.
The two teams will each travel to Sterling Thursday night, when the Pride take on third-place Potomac Falls and the Raiders deal with Park View.
County extends its consecutive win streak to 39, having last lost in the 2006 Group AA state title game.
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