When Albemarle senior Gabbi DeGennaro comes up with a play, apparently it’s best to just clear out if you’re her teammate.
Because a rollicking celebration is coming.
“I wanted to close this out and get ready for the playoff season and get that energy going,” DeGennaro said. “I wanted to have some fun with my team and get my team excited.”
She had reason to celebrate Thursday night as Albemarle beat Fluvanna County 3-1 to cap an unbeaten, 14-0 run through the Jefferson District on Senior Night.
DeGennaro had a team-high nine kills and five blocks in the win and she had several of those scoring plays in game five as the Patriots closed the door on the Flucos. Fluvanna fought and scrapped all night, particularly in the second game when they pulled out a 25-21 win to even the match after Albemarle took game one 25-16.
Albemarle responded though, picking up steam for dominant 25-13 and 25-9 victories to wrap up the match 3-1. The Patriots actually dropped into a 3-0 hole in the fourth game before reeling off a big run that included a couple of DeGennaro aces to take a 12-5 lead and then expanded the lead to 19-8 before ending the game on a 6-1 run.
“We’re very happy and really really proud of our performance,” DeGennaro said. “We’ve been working very hard in practice, we’re definitely going to be carrying that into the playoffs.”
The match wrapped up the final regular season for DeGennaro, Madison Warlick, Katie Schnell and Danielle LaRosa, who have been stalwarts for the Patriots while enduring some rebuilding and transitioning during their careers.
“Those seniors have done a great job, two have been with me since their freshman year and two have been with me since their sophomore year,” said Albemarle coach Mark Ragland. “To see them have success, to be undefeated in the district it’s a nice finishing touch for the regular season.”
LaRosa had eight kills for the Patriots while Schnell had six and Warlick had five. Warlick contributed all over the floor with four aces and 10 digs to go with her five kills. Bridget Pinnata had four aces and 15 digs while Schnell chipped in nine digs. Kelsey Marks had three aces and 17 assists. Keira Roach had two aces and 12 assists.
For Fluvanna, Katie Morris notched five kills while Christina Walker had four kills and two blocks. Hannah Ledford had three kills, two blocks and an ace and Madison Stolz had four kills and a block.
Albemarle secured the top seed in the Region 5D South subregional, which comes with a bye. They’ll host the winner of Harrisonburg and William Fleming’s match in the tournament’s first round, likely at 7 p.m. November 2.
Fluvanna County will face off against Western Albemarle on Halloween night Tuesday in a 6:30 clash to determine the second team from the Jefferson that will advance to the Region 3C tournament. Monticello secured the automatic berth.
