Albemarle took Western Albemarle to five games Tuesday night, showing some massive improvement after getting swept by the Warriors a few weeks earlier.
On Thursday, the Patriots rode that momentum to a two-game lead and eventually a 3-1 victory over Monticello at home.
“There’s momentum from that and then you’re tired and you’re mentally and emotionally drained from senior night so i’m proud of our kids for regathering themselves after set three,” said Albemarle coach Mark Ragland. “Credit Monticello though they played extremely well, very scrappy, very smart.”
The Mustangs grabbed game three, the first time in awhile that a Monticello volleyball team has managed to grab a game win against the Patriots. The Mustangs got a big lift from a balanced attack up front (Moneka Lawson with seven kills, three blocks; Makysha Brock with eight kills and two blocks) and a backline effort anchored by Amaya Gibson’s 14 digs.
“These girls are learning so much about what it means to fight together as a team,” said Monticello coach Meg Carpenter. “Albemarle is a great team and (our girls) figured out how to push and how to play off momentum. All the credit goes to them, I’m beyond proud and excited.”
After the second game, the Patriots took time out to honor the members of the 2008 state championship squad. Six members of the team were on hand for the event as Abby Hendrix, Katie Mastropaolo, Stephanie Strauss, Megan Napolitano, and Hannah Lawson as well as Carpenter were recognized. Carpenter played under Ragland before becoming the Mustangs’ head coach.
While Albemarle struggled in game three, the Patriots got back into a groove in the fourth to close out the match.
Following a strong performance against Western, Emery Hawkins struck again with 13 kills on the night. Madison Warlick and Danielle LaRosa had eight and seven respectively.
Sarah Hanssen finished off her last regular season home game with 35 assists on the night while Warlick led the defense with 16 digs. Victoria Bickley chipped in nine digs and had three aces. Katie Schnell also had a trio of aces.
Both squads will wrap up regular season play next week before heading into the postseason. Albemarle has a tough draw with Powhatan, currently in first place in the Jefferson District, on the road while Monticello travels to Fluvanna Tuesday.
