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Nip and Tuck: Albemarle volleyball edges Western in back-and-forth clash

Photo by Kristi Ellis

By Ben Sheridan / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor

 

The latest chapter of Albemarle and Western Albemarle’s storied volleyball rivalry didn’t disappoint Tuesday night, with Albemarle coming out on top in a back-and-forth, five-set clash 3-2. The win came thanks in large part to an impressive all-around effort from Adalee Lynch who registered  21 kills and 19 digs on the night.

 

The first set established the tone of the match right out of the gate as neither team was able to separate itself from the other. The set kept getting more competitive between the two teams as they went on, with both teams trading points back and forth. Eventually, the Warriors pushed through to take the first set 29-27.

 

In the second set, the Patriots began to surge, storming out to a seven-point lead in the early stages. Eventually that lead became too much for Western to overcome as the Patriots took the second set 25-16.  The winning didn’t stop there either for the Patriots as they would also take the third set and take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

 

With the fourth set, the Warriors started out hot and never looked back.  They surged out to a big lead and never let it go, and seemingly put the set out of reach late with three straight aces from senior outside hitter Sarah Rhea. The Warriors went on to take the set 25-17, forcing the Patriots to step up to the challenge, prompting Albemarle coach Mark Ragland to make things very clear to his squad before the fifth set.

 

“I said we needed to keep our energy up and that volleyball is not an error-free sport,” Ragland said.

 

The Patriots were able to find that energy again in the end, winning the set 15-8 and taking the match. They got a spark from a pair of Annabelle Townsend aces to jump out to an early lead at 6-2. They then snuffed out a Western run that closed the gap to 9-7 with kills from Townsend and Sophia Dawson before Maya Winterhoff blasted home the match-clinching kill.

 

“Everyone left it all on the court, and we came together and were able to win,” said senior setter Olivia Turner. 

 

It was a hard-fought win against a tough rival for the Patriots, and a chance to take a step forward and improve as both squads dive headlong into the bulk of the regular season. 

 

“When you’re playing a good team like Western, they can expose your weaknesses, but we also showed good energy and fought hard,” added Ragland.

 

It’s the kind of match that could be a key turning point for both teams. The Warriors have struggled at times to finish off matches, losing several five-setters. Pushing  a tough Albemarle squad to the brink is a good sign for the Warriors moving forward. 

 

Turner was one of the key statistical leaders for the Patriots, as she finished with six kills and 51 assists from the setter spot.  Townsend finished with 14 kills and sophomore middle blocker Maya Winterhoff notched 18 kills. Statistical leaders for the Warriors included Rhea with nine kills and 14 digs, senior middle Caitlyn Driver with seven kills and 1.5 blocks, and sophomore setter Annabella Pandelli with 30 assists and five aces.  

 

Lynch’s 21 kills moved her into the Top 10 all-time in Albemarle’s program history. 

 

Western travels to take on Louisa County Thursday while the Patriots will look to keep the momentum going on the road against Charlottesville the same night.

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