In a rematch of last season’s electric Bull Run District semifinal, Madison County flexed its muscles with a 3-0 win over Clarke County.
Madison also defeated the Eagles in last year’s postseason matchup to clinch a Region B tournament berth.
Madison led all of the first game by as many as eight points and eventually picked up a 25-19, but Clarke regrouped in the second game to take 18-5 lead before Madison somehow rallied back. Madison (8-2, 2-0) managed to take the game into extra points and finally edged out the Eagles 26-24.
Both teams battled in the third game, but Madison’s strong serving continued to cause the Eagles problems. Madison took this game to extra points as well, finally putting Clarke away 29-27.
Megan Clarke carried Madison on the back line and had a big serving night too, with for aces, 10 digs and 14 service points. Samantha Cubbage and Amber Robson led the Mountaineer attack with seven and six kills respectively. Cubbage also led the team in digs with 11 with Robson controlled the net with three blocks. Setter Jordan Aylor notched 17 assists and five kills of her own.
Madison travels to George Mason on Thursday.
Western rolls over Orange
Western Albemarle got a busy week started by sweeping Orange Tuesday night, rolling 25-16, 25-18, 25-13.
The Warriors host St. Anne’s-Belfield tonight, then Goochland Thursday before a pair of tough games against solid Group AA opponents Cave Spring and Grafton this weekend. Cave Spring was a state semifinalist in 2009 while Grafton, who eliminated Western in the state quarterfinals, was the state runnerup. Both lost to Group AA champion Loudoun County.
Ana Asher had five aces and nine kills on the night while Katie Rossberg finished with five kills and a pair of blocks. Riley Martin tallied 27 assists and nine digs at setter. Marin Crowder led the back line with 11 digs. Record is 10-2, 6-0. Host STAB tonight, Goochland tomorrow night. And then square off against Cave Spring and Grafton at home on Saturday. Grafton was 2d in state last year, Cave was a semifinalist. Both lost to eventual champion Loudoun County.
Mustangs handle Lions
Monticello swept Louisa County but got a good test in the last two games of their 3-0 win.
The Mustangs took the first match comfortably, 25-17, but there were just four points between the two schools in game two and only three points in game three.
Kate Geldmacher had a huge night with her six saces and 11 kills. Mariah Williams continues to impress at setter with another 20-plus assists, this time piling up 27 helpers. Carla Brooks had seven kills and two aces. Charlotte Devine had six kills and the team’s only block. Taylor Hopkins led the way on defense with 15 digs but also chipped in a pair of aces of her own.
The Mustangs (7-5, 4-1) head to William Monroe on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Albemarle’s unbeaten run through Commonwealth ends
North Stafford, finally, has its first ever volleyball victory over Albemarle High school.
Albemarle fell 3-0 to the Wolverines Tuesday night on the road, ending the Patriots’ long dominance over North Stafford and an early season unbeaten run through the fist half of district play that leaves Albemarle at 7-1 in the Commonwealth.
The Patriots established leads in all 3 sets, only to watch them melt away at the hands of the Wolverines.
After dropping game one 25-23, Albemarle leapt out to an 8-5 advantage in game two before North Stafford eventually pulled out a narrow 26-24 victory with the last point coming on an Albemarle service error.
In game three Albemarle took a 6-point, 19-13 lead and seemed to be in complete control, largely on the strength of a 7-0 service point run by Caroline Porco. But North Stafford battled back with a run of their own to knot the game at 20-20. A couple of strong kills by North Stafford eventually allowed them to put the game away, 26-24.
Caroline Porco led the Patriots (11-6, 7-1) with 16 service points and four aces, while Megan Napolitano had 14 kills. Stephanie Strauss contributed seven kills and six blocks while Jessi Block had seven service points and 24 assists.
