Monticello’s Zimako Chuks had a record-setting night but it was Albemarle that left Monticello’s gym with the win Thursday night as the Patriots swept the Mustangs 3-0.
The win for the Patriots came just two days after a frustrating five-set home loss to Western Albemarle, and the relatively simple win for Albemarle was a welcome relief .
“That was nice for our kids — our kids are a little toasted right now, I can see it in practice,” said Albemarle coach Mark Ragland. “At least tonight wasn’t one of those that just emotionally and physically spent you again. It was nice.”
The Patriots jumped out to a 10-2 lead, in game one and rolled 25-11. They followed that with a 25-17 game two win and a 25-12 match closing game three win. Monticello challenged early in game three and took an 8-6 lead, but Albemarle responded and took an 11-8 lead and never relinquished it.
Madison Warlick led the Patriots with seven kills while Stephanie Lugus had six kills. Katie Smith, Alexis Duday and Ellie Benning each had five kills. Cindy Yu finished with 13 service points and three aces while Sarah Hanssen had nine service points and four aces.
While Monticello lost 3-0, Zimako Chuks led all attackers on the night with nine kills, and with her sixth of the night, she broke the Monticello High School career kills record. Her 448 career kills surpassed Charlotte Devine’s 445 career kills. Devine, who plays for Middlebury College now and graduated in 2013, helped bring Chuks along during her senior season.
“I looked up to her a lot, I’m glad to take her place senior year and make a name for myself,” Chuks said. “She was a great leader.”
While Devine checks in at 5-foot-11, Chuks doesn’t have that prototypical height to lean on, and instead relies on her explosiveness and anticipation to make things happen at the net.
“I actually started with passing, getting to know the other side of things before getting into the attacking game,” Chuks said. “I think that helped a lot. Then I’d go in for Charlotte and I think that’s how I developed.”
It doesn’t hurt either can elevate and swings awfully hard.
“I think teams definitely know she’s a threat — they can see from the moment she’s swinging in warmups,” said Monticello coach Jackie Hargis. “She has some bang behind that ball.”
Allie Perez, who’s delivered the bulk of Chuks’ career kills at setter while setting the Mustangs’ career assist record, finished with 19 assists and four digs on the night. Makysha Brock notched five kills. The Mustangs (8-8) take on Fluvanna at home Tuesday night. The Patriots (21-2) host Powhatan Tuesday.
