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Western Albemarle’s Colleen Forsman is intent on improving every aspect of her game in an effort to make herself a threat from every spot on the floor.
“I’m really focusing on becoming a well-rounded player,” Forsman said. “I know we all have set positions but personally my goal is that (Western coach Ron Pack) can put me in for whatever position and I’m dependable in that position.”
In the latest installment of the Fluvanna County/Western Albemarle rivalry she looked every bit a complete player as the Warriors swept rebuilding Fluvanna 3-0.
“She’s been doing a wonderful job for us all over the court,” Pack said. “Her defense is fantastic and she’s an incredibly smart hitter.”
Forsman unleashed nine kills with just a single hitting error among her barrage of attacks, had five digs and blasted a string of three straight aces that changed the complexion of game two, turning it into a blowout.
“It’s really exciting to get a really good ace,” Forsman said. “That brings the energy up and the more energy we have, the better we play as a team.”
Along with established do-everything outside hitter Kelsey Grove who also had nine kills while notching 11 digs and a block, Forsman is delivering right now as a versatile, reliable threat from everywhere. That tandem is making life particularly tough on opposing offenses as seemingly everything is coming back over the net.
“They read the play so well,” Pack said. “Those two pick up all those short balls. Kelsey is always right there with the libero on digs and that’s very tough to do (as a hitter).”
That string of aces put a young Fluvanna squad on its heels after the Flucos had already suffered through a 25-16 loss in game one. But the Flucos woke up in game three, making a big push late in game three before falling 25-22.
“She’s got a young group of players but Christi (Harlowe-Garrett) runs a good program down there — she knows the game of volleyball,” Pack said. “They’re just going to get better and better.”
Taking on a Fluvanna squad that graduated five starters off last year’s Conference 23 title-winning team, Pack knew it was critical for the Warriors to put together a strong start. They did that by building a 5-2 lead in game one on the strength of an Olivia Nichols blast.
“I told them before the match started it was key to get off to a good start,” Pack said. “I really thought a good start was going to be a key to get us started and give us a little energy.”
Katie Stutz had 21 assists for the Flucos while Haley Dillon finished a number of those setups with six kills on the night.
For Western, Cassidy Wilson finished with four kills and a block while setter Elissa Simpson finished with 25 assists and four aces on the night. Hannah Miles put together an 11-dig outing and Eleri Hayden had seven digs on the night in a strong team defensive effort by the Warriors.
Both teams are in the midst a tough stretch of Jefferson District games with Fluvanna traveling to take on Powhatan Wednesday two days after the Indians beat Monticello in five games. Western will host cross-county rival Albemarle the same night.
