Three weeks ago the Monticello volleyball team gave Western Albemarle its first true test in the Jefferson District with the Warriors walking out with a four set road victory. Now two weeks later with a two-game lead on the rest of the district, Western swept the Mustangs, 3-0, 25-18, 25-15, 25-17, to move one step closer to its ninth consecutive regular season championship.
“It felt really good (to win) because we knew this was a talented squad we that beat tonight,” said Warriors coach Lance Rogers. “So it was nice to see my players exerting the effort needed to beat them.”
Western showcased its depth on Thursday as Ana Asher, Ali Nicholson, Katie Rossberg and Maggie Kooken all finished within one kill of another with Nicholson leading the way with seven. The Warriors vexed the Mustangs defense as setter Riley Martin masterfully pulled the strings on the Western offense, working the ball around to her four weapons nearly equally.
“I was trying to look for holes in the block,” Martin said. “That was the reason I was setting the way I did for certain people. I usually go to who I know can put the ball down, but it also really just depends. A lot of times its where the pass is and who I’m most comfortable with right there.”
In the first two games the Warriors were able to establish early leads, particularly in game two where the lead was as large as 17-4. But in both games the Mustangs fought back at the end, albeit with not enough wiggle room to amount a major comeback in either.
The third game was the most competitive of the evening with both sides going back and forth deep into the set. With the game close down the stretch, Rogers called a timeout to straighten out his team as his hitters were battling to get the ball over the net or in bounds.
“During a time out (Nicholson) was going, ‘I don’t know, should I hit line, its open there, or should I go over there?’ I told her, ‘Don’t think. You’re athletic and your body will take over and take care of it.’”
Nicholson obliged her coach.
“She came out and just pounded it,” Rogers said. “She hit it hard enough I expected to see wood splinters coming up.”
After the timeout with the score at 17-15 in Western’s favor, the Warriors closed the door as they won eight of the next 10 points with Asher at the service line and Nicholson at the front of the net paving the way.
Mental mistakes in the passing game plagued Monticello, especially in the first two games, much to the chagrin of Mustangs coach John Mitchem.
“Our big focus this week actually was passing,” Mitchem said. “In practice We rep’ed a ton of it. Unfortunately it didn’t show tonight. And if we’re not in system we’re not going to compete with Western.”
While the Mustangs played strong at the end of the first two games and very strong for the first two-thirds of the final game, in the end, it’s a frustrating way to lose.
“I think overall I’m disappointed with the way tonight went,” Mitchem said. “But it is like playing your brother or sister. All the girls are friends and play club volleyball together, and same with the coaching staffs. It’s like a backyard rivalry, but unfortunately it hasn’t been much of a rivalry.”
For Western, Riley Martin finished with 22 assists. Nicholson, Kooken and Asher each finished with six kills. Those three along with Rossberg combined for eight blocks with Asher leading the Warriors with three.
Monticello’s Taylor Hopkins finished with 10 digs. Kate Geldmacher was tied for the game high in kills with Rossberg with seven. Mustangs setter Mariah Williams had 18 assists.
The loss puts Monticello in a tie with Fluvanna County for third place in the district standings. With the win, Western is but one game away from winning the regular season.
The Mustangs jump out of the JD quickly when they face Covenant on Monday.
The Warriors head to William Monroe on Tuesday.
