The first game was nearly flawless for Fluvanna County volleyball as the Flucos rolled to a dominant 16-point victory. The next three games were a little rockier, but Fluvanna got the job done and dispatched Amherst 3-1 to earn a spot in the 4A North tournament and a shot at a Conference 23 championship Thursday night against Handley at home.
“They were up, we were focused and I think they were prepared,” said Fluvanna coach Christie Harlowe-Garrett. “I think we lost a little bit of our focus going into game two and had to fight back through it. We really had to step up.”
After beating Amherst 25-9 in that first game, Fluvanna dropped game two and then rallied to win 25-21 in games three and four to close out the match. Amherst stepped up its play at the net to snag the game two win and make things tough for the Flucos, but in the end the Lancers couldn’t find an answer for what’s become an increasingly multi-faceted Fluvanna County front line.
At different stretches, four different hitters carried the Flucos, with Maddy Kline leading the quartet with 18 kills to go with her 17 digs in a sterling defensive performance. Emily Haden’s hard-hit attack gave Amherst fits throughout as she rang up 12 kills on the night.
“She has worked so hard to get where she is,” Harlowe-Garrett said. “Her confidence and composure on the court usually bring us through.”
Miah Perch took the reins at times too, finishing with 10 kills and two blocks. Leslie Walters did much of her damage in the fourth game as Amherst tried to load up against Haden and Kline. Walters finished with seven kills and two blocks, with three of those kills coming as Fluvanna took control of the decisive fourth game.
“She’s got the ability when we can get her the ball,” Harlowe-Garrett said. “The idea (has to be) keeping our passing on so we can get her the ball.”
Katie Stutz triggered the Fluvanna offense with 34 assists on the night while Haden had the best night for the Flucos at the service line as she put together four key aces.
Fluvanna advances to the Conference 23 final against Handley Thursday at 6:30 p.m. They’ll host Handley in a match that determines seeding in the Region 4A North tournament that starts next week.
