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Raiders, Vikings set for next stage
Loudoun County and Loudoun Valley high schools treated their home fans to state volleyball tournament victories Nov. 17. In the process, the Raiders and Vikings earned trips to the state semifinals in Richmond.
Here's a look at both of the matches:
Loudoun County 3, Lafayette 0
With a steady, workmanlike performance, the Raiders swept Lafayette 25-16, 25-18, 25-15 in the Virginia AA quarterfinal round.
The victory grants the Raiders (23-3) a trip to Richmond to partake in the Final Four for the fourth straight year, and a chance to win their third consecutive state championship.
"I'm very fortunate to get another chance to go to Richmond, because it's a team effort," said County's Juliane Hanna, who tops off her Region II Player of the Year honor with her fourth Richmond appearance.
Each of the match's first two games began with the Raiders and Rams (19-6) trading points. County encountered initial struggles, committing mis-hits and unforced errors.
"I think it was just working out the kinks," Hanna said. "Everyone had a little bit of an off-game, but fortunately not enough to lose."
Late surges lifted the Raiders to wins in both games. County's plethora of tall, strong hitters eventually won out against the outsized Rams, whose tallest player is shorter than five Raiders.
"We didn't have our best practice yesterday, but I think the way they came out excited and with enthusiasm showed they were ready to play," County coach Jenica Matthias said of her team.
Senior setter Robin Marsala ran the offense, delivering 31 assists.
"We just slowed everything down and focused in the second game so that in the third game we could run our fast offense," said Marsala, another All-Region performer.
The third stanza saw the Raiders run out to a 17-6 lead before coasting to victory, as Marsala and Hanna hooked up on several textbook kills.
Hanna produced the bulk of her 14 kills in the match's latter stages. She was helped along the front with seven kills each by Molly Baldwin and Jenna Strange.
Sophomore libero Gabby Serafin got down for 21 digs. Baldwin knocked down seven blocks, while Hanna served five aces.
The Raiders will face Cave Spring in their state semifinal Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. in the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
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Loudoun Valley senior Morgan Clark spikes the ball past Langley's Carlie Owen, left, and Lindsay Warden for one of her nine kills in the Vikings' 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20 victory on Nov. 17 in Purcellville.--Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Carl Lukat
Loudoun Valley 3, Langley 1
Loudoun Valley senior Nicole Bennett is trusted to make a lot of decisions on the volleyball court as the Vikings' setter.
So it only seemed fitting that Bennett would determine Valley's plan of action on match point against visiting Langley in the Virginia AAA quarterfinals.
Bennett could have set the ball for outside hitter Morgan Clark. Instead, Bennett – noticing Langley's defense pushed up toward the net – sent a volley over the net deep into the left corner that the Saxons were unable to return.
Bennett's winner closed out the Vikings' 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20 victory. Valley is headed to the state semifinals for the first time since moving up to AAA in 2005.
"We told her when things get tough they suck up and that deep-one and deep-five were open," Valley coach Laird Johnson said in reference to the back left and right corners of the court.
"Nicole just happened to pick the right time to do it," Johnson continued with a smile.
Bennett set up the Viking big hitters – Lindsey Phipps (17 kills) and Clark (nine kills) – throughout the match with 32 assists. Kristen "K Mart" Martin scooped 12 digs and Brittany Brown added 10 digs in Tuesday's win.
Loudoun Valley will play Mills Godwin in the state semifinals Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. The state semis and final will be played at the Siegel Center in Richmond
"The first goal is to get to states," Johnson said. "Now, we've readjusted our goals and we are focused on winning."
--Carl Lukat contributed to this report.
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