With the regular season series split it was anyone’s guess as to how the Jefferson District semifinal between Monticello and Fluvanna County would shake out. By virtue of Western Albemarle’s win over Louisa County before the Mustangs and Flucos showdown, a Region II tournament bid was on the line, and behind two solid first games and a dramatic come-from-behind win in game three, Monticello punched its ticket to its first ever Jefferson District championship game and first ever regional playoff berth, 3-0, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24.
“This was a goal for us all year and it’s the first time (it’s happened) in school history,” said Mustangs coach John Mitchem. “It’s a goal realized.”
Both of the first two games started out strong with the two sides trading blows, but in the second halves of both contests the Mustangs built up substantial leads. In game one a five-point gap between the Mustangs and Flucos quickly grew to eight and the Mustangs finished the job. In game two, Fluvanna built up an early four point lead only to have Monticello claim a 2-point lead on a 7-1 run. Up by four at 19-15, the Mustangs cruised and took six of the next eight points to build up a favorable 2-0 advantage. Fluvanna, though, came into the final game of the night with a renewed focus.
“We waited until the third game to finally start playing,” said Fluvanna coach Christi Harlowe-Garrett. “You can’t wait that long to do that. But give (Monticello) credit. I don’t think we were completely giving away points. They earned theirs.”
After switching benches and visibly frustrated, the Flucos took the court in game three and played their best volleyball of the night. Neither team was able to establish more than a 3-point lead for the first three quarters of the match. With the game tied up at 20, Fluvanna won four of the next five points to get within one point of forcing a fourth game. However, Monticello regained its composure to earn back the serve and with Charlotte Devine at the line, the Mustangs did not falter and when the defense held, the offense was able to execute to take the next five points in the match to seal the victory.
“I’ve been working a lot on pressure serving,” Devine said. “That really helped me pull through those last four points. We really wanted to win.”
“Charlotte’s done a great job of putting the ball in play and is the school record holder for aces (in a season),” Mitchem added. “But she didn’t have to go for the aces there because we were able to play some defense.”
From start to finish, Monticello’s Kate Geldmacher was an offensive force, leading all players with her 20 kills to go along with three aces and two blocks. When it wasn’t Geldmacher, sophomore Brittany Scott stepped up and played like a veteran, finishing with six kills.
“Brittany did a great job,” Mitchem said. “She had six kills and not a single error in 13 attempts. That’s what we need from her. We don’t need a 20-kill night from her like we got from Geldmacher. A consistent 6-kill performance really helps us a lot.”
Mariah Williams had a busy night passing, accumulating 29 assists and grabbing eight digs as well. Taylor Hopkins led the defense with her 12-kill game.
For Fluvanna, Hannah Miller had nine kills and four blocks. Taylor Beck also had a solid night offensively with her seven kills. Terry Crickenberger had five kills.
The Flucos have one more chance to earn a Region II bid when they face Louisa County in the JD consolation game. Fluvanna took both regular season meetings against the Lions, picking up a 3-1 in at home and scrapping for a 3-2 win to wrap up the regular season on the road.
The Flucos and Lions will play at Charlottesville on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Monticello plays Western Albemarle in the JD final to follow.
