Fluvanna County got a big boost from a bus full of fans on the road at Western Albemarle, but in the end it wasn’t enough as the Warriors took control of the Jefferson District race with a 3-0 victory over the Flucos, winning 25-19, 25-21 and 25-14.
In a rivalry that seems to get more intense in each installment, Western managed to win critical points and pass consistently enough to hold off each Fluco charge. Each time that Fluvanna put together a run, the Warriors answered with a decisive rally.
“We knew we would get a great battle out from them,” said Lance Rogers. “They play with high intensity, high emotion and high focus and it was a back and forth struggle until we pulled away at the end.”
A strong all-around night from Sarah Harper — nine kills, 12 digs and three aces — paced the Warriors, and Ana Asher came up with a pair of blocks and three kills in critical situations. The Warriors’ setting tandem of Riley Martin and Megan Adams had identical numbers with 10 assists each, a statistical anomaly that has happened a number of times already this season.
After Western won a pair of narrow victories in the first two games, Fluvanna struggled in game three as the Warriors leapt out to a 13-3 lead and cruised to a 24-14 victory to seal the win. But those first two wins didn’t come easy — in fact, at one point, it looked as if Western was in danger of losing control of the match.
It isn’t often that the Warriors lose a long volley, but midway through the second game after a long exchange, Hannah Miller and Chelsey Tomko combined for a monster block that gave Fluvanna a 10-9 lead. That point seemed to be a potential turning point in the match for the Flucos, but the huge point didn’t translate into a big run.
“We didn’t capitalize, we just didn’t put it away,” said Fluvanna coach Christi Harlowe-Garrett. “We made a lot of mistakes and we didn’t capitalize. Hopefully we see them again.”
Asher helped Western answer with one of her crucial blocks immediately after the long rally to halt Fluvanna’s momentum, and after the two teams exchanged runs over the next few points, Western took control with a 7-1 run to close out the game and take the 2-0 lead.
Chasity Lacy knocked down six kills, while Kristen Pack registered four kills. Pack had a monster first game, keying the Western attack early on.
Adams came up with seven digs for the Warriors.
Fluvanna’s senior tandem of Kayla Walker and Mandy Kline had eight and six kills respectively, while Miller gave the Flucos another option up front with five kills and two blocks.
“(Miller) missed more serves tonight and that’s more than she’s missed in the last six matches — she missed two,” Harlowe-Garrett said. “She’s really coming into her own.”
Mia Loyd also chipped in with four blocks. Samantha Toy and Courtney Tyree combined for 17 assists at the setter spot.
