By Bryan Rothamel/FlucoBlog.com
PALMYRA — Going in to Tuesday night Jefferson District play there hadn’t been too many tests for Western Albemarle.
The Warriors never had to face an elimination game. In fact, they’d only been pressed to four games once against district opponents. Their victories took opposing crowds out of games. That all changed against Fluvanna.
“I wish we had this kind of atmosphere,” said WAHS head coach Lance Rogers. “Their fans pack ‘em in here. They love volleyball. It is kind of fun to come (into) that situation and prevail.”
Western was able to ignore the crowd and Fluvanna’s challenge to earn a hard fought 3-2 victory (25-17, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-7).
“It was really nerve racking to come in here because we knew that the Shoebox was definitely really loud and intimidating, but I think after we got over our nerves we came and played a good game,” said Western setter Riley Martin.
Ana Asher led Western Albemarle with 17 kills while Katie Rossberg finished with 15 kills. Martin set a WAHS single-game record with 44 assists, all in just the third time that the Warriors have ever been pushed to a five-game decider in a Jefferson District matchup.
“I’m just so proud of my girls. Of course we struggled a little bit. It really put things in perspective, for me especially. It was such a tough win to come out of it and, of course, such a tough loss for Fluvanna,” said Asher.
Fluvanna got 33 assists out of Sammi Toy while Hannah Miller and Taylor Beck each finished with 11 kills. Terry Crickenberger had nine kills of her own.
With Western Albemarle leading two games to one, Fluvanna turned the pressure up. Scoring seven straight points, FCHS had a 16-4 led in the third game. The Warriors battled back but still lost the game 25-20. Then WAHS showed it’s might.
“I told [the team] this helped them so much to show they could come out of a situation like this and still win,” said Rogers. “There were some stretches there where we played pretty badly. We were able to snap out of it and pull ourselves out of it to come out on top.”
The fifth game went quickly as Fluvanna was unable to get a service point in. Western took the deciding frame 15-3.
Fluvanna’s head coach, Christi Harlowe-Garrett was still impressed with the outcome, even if her team lost.
“Nobody lost that match. Both teams fought crazy hard. Both teams came from behind in different spots. Both teams proved a lot even if they didn’t have anything to prove.
“Western doesn’t have to prove anything, they have first place. Our kids proved a lot. They have a lot of heart and boy did they leave it out there tonight.”
The Warriors will look to continue their perfect Jefferson District record as they host Louisa on Thursday night. Western Albemarle won the first meeting 3-0 in Louisa.
Fluvanna will face Monticello in Charlottesville on Thursday for a chance to tie for second place. In the Palmyra showdown, the teams went to a five-game match with the Mustangs finishing victorious.
