In his seven years at Western Albemarle, Lance Rogers hasn’t been challenged very often by Jefferson District opponents, but on Thursday night the Warriors’ coach and his team were certainly taken to the brink by a heavy-hitting Fluvanna County team.
“That was – I’ve used up all my adrenaline for the next month,” Rogers said.
After winning the first two games and up by seven late in game three, it looked like visiting Western had a clean sweep in hand. However, when things looked their bleakest, the Flucos rose to the occasion, rallying to take game three, before nearly forcing a fifth game until the Warriors took game four in extra points and subsequently the match, 3-1, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 28-26. The win puts Rogers just one win district win away from 100 for his career. His current record stands at 99-1.
“That was really a testament to both teams strengths,” Rogers said. “Both teams came roaring back from deficits.”
While the first game was close, the margin of error in the final three games was razor thin. In both games three and four Western put together long rallies to go up by at least 10 points, only to have the Flucos surge back to with their backs against the wall and reanimate the Shoebox.
“You’d hear the fans and hear all the yelling, but it almost made you that much more excited,” said Western senior Sarah Harper. “You could only hear yourself think pretty much. You can’t really talk with your teammates except for signals.”
Harper and Chastity Lacy led the way for the Warriors (3-0, 2-0 Jefferson), combining for 26 kills with 13 a piece. With a scout from the US National team in attendance, Harper was all over the court, contributing 18 digs and 10 service points as well. Riley Martin and Megan Adams tied for a game high 15 assists each.
It was a two-headed attack for Fluvanna (4-3, 0-1) as well with Mandy Kline and Kayla Walker doing the heavy lifting up front. Kline led the Flucos with 16 kills while Walker was close behind with 13 kills. Two of Fluvanna’s youngest players, sophomore Mia Loyd and freshman Hannah Miller, came up big in games three and four to make the match interesting. Each finished with 6 kills.
“I’m very very proud,” said Flucos coach Christi Harlowe-Garrett. “(Our team) did a great job. They passed well. They ran their offense. They played out of emergency situations. We fought back from a (17-9) lead to win a game, come on. You can’t be more proud.”
For Rogers the test was a welcome one. If either Fluvanna or Western is going to do well in the regional tournament and beyond, they will need competition within the district.
“That (match) was great for both us and Fluvanna,” Rogers said. “We’ve been the two teams to come out of the Jefferson District and if we want to do that again were going to need more matches like this.”
