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Jefferson Semifinals: Western, Fluvanna County advance

Mandy Kline battled the flu and pneumonia for two weeks before she finally found her way back onto the court for Fluvanna County in the Jefferson District semifinals. It only too her two games to find her stride.

Kline posted 15 totals kills in the Flucos’ 3-0 sweep of Monticello, taking her game to another level in the final frame where she ripped off seven kills to close out the Mustangs.

“It was mostly getting into rhythm—the first couple of games I was getting back into game mode and I finally started picking it up near the end,” Kline said. “You lose your strength and you have to try to gain that back really quickly and I’m still struggling with that.”

Having Kline back paid dividends for her frontline mates Kayla Walker and Mia Loyd, as well as the entire team. Both Walker and Loyd had strong statistical nights with Kline in the mix. Walker had six kills while Loyd had four kills and four blocks.

With Kline and Hannah Miller, the Flucos have an intimidating, versatile set of players up front.

“She is such a level-headed player, and if you give her the ball she will do something with it,” said Fluvanna coach Christie Harlow-Garrett. “It was nice having her back.”

Walker gave Fluvanna a huge boost from the service line too, orchestrating a 5-0 run to start the first game and an 8-0 early in the second game  after Monticello took a 3-0 lead. Walker finished with six aces on the night.

“That gave us a nice little start and we just carried it through,” Kline said.

Setters Sammi Toy and Courtney Tyree combined for 32 assists in the victory.

In each and every game, Fluvanna had to fend off a late Monticello rally that pulled the Mustangs within striking distance. Monticello got a strong performance from Christine Archer with 10 kills and three aces, but it was the defensive work of senior Erica Watson that kept the Mustangs alive.

“She’s definitely the heart and soul of our defense — she’s done some great things,” said Monticello coach John Mitchem. “We’re going to miss her next year.”

Senior Sidney Walker came off the bench as a server and gave Monticello a jumpstart with some solid serves that gave the Mustangs an opportunity to rally.

Western advances

Western Albemarle continued its unbeaten run through the Jefferson District Tuesday with a sweep of William Monroe in the tournament semifinals, setting up a third match with Fluvanna County.

Ana Asher led the Warriors with 11 kills and three blocks in a big performance for the junior middle blocker who has emerged as a big-time threat.

“She was great patrolling the net — she seemed to have a sixth sense for where the ball was going to be,” Rogers said.

Sarah Harper had 10 kills in the outing while Elizabeth Via came up with 10 digs. Megan Adams had 16 assists.

The Warriors got the job done without senior middle blocker Chastity Lacy, who is recovering from a bout with pneumonia. Lacy will likely be good to go against Fluvanna in the Jefferson District championship on Thursday.

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