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Western tops Fluvanna for JD title

There were never any big runs for either side. There weren’t any runaway games. From game one through game four there wasn’t any wiggle room. And though host Fluvanna County put up a strong fight, for the eighth straight year, Western Albemarle came out on top in the Jefferson District finals, 3-1, 25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23.

“It’s really tough to beat a quality team like Fluvanna three times in one year,” said Western coach Lance Rogers. “It was really the perfect storm for them here, they were at home and they had their fans, and it was just pride on the line. This game didn’t really affect anyone’s post season, it was just strictly district pride and a lot of fun.”

All four games were up for grabs late, as neither team was able to reach 20 points with more than a three point lead.

In the first game, the Warriors and Flucos went blow for blow until Western was able to win five of the of the game’s six last points. The Warriors led the second game nearly all the way through, but Western wasn’t able to pull away until the end.

“Fluvanna in the past games we played against them had faltered after the first two games,” Rogers said. “Today, they held strong all the way down the stretch. You get a game like this where everyone’s sweating and the players and coaches can’t hear because of all the yelling, that’s a playoff environment.”

With their backs against the wall, the Flucos rebounded in game three behind a big performance from middle hitter Mia Loyd to set up the last game of the night.

“The girls stayed focused,” said Fluvanna coach Christie Harlowe-Garrett. “They did everything we asked them to and then some.”

The fourth and final game was closer than the previous three. Three points was the largest lead for either team and it came when the Warriors went up 23-20. The Flucos managed to tie at 23-23, but from there Western’s Sarah Harper took over in the last two points, and managed to register the match’s final kill in her last district game.

“It was one of the most exciting games that I’ve had to play in,” Harper said. “We’d be doing really well and have the momentum and then one second later (Fluvanna) would have an awesome hit or kill and the momentum would swing back and forth. It was a stressful game, but it keeps you on your toes and it’s so exciting.”

Harper finished the game with 12 kills to go along 18 digs while Chastity Lacy and Ana Asher chipped in seven kills each. Megan Adams led all players with 21 assists.

For Fluvanna, Loyd, just a sophomore, put forth a game high 16 kills with senior teammates Kayla Walker and Mandy Kline contributing 10 and nine kills respectively.

After the game Walker was named the JD’s player of the year.

“I’m very proud of her,” said Harlowe-Garrett. “She’s worked incredibly hard and has started since she was a freshman. She had set school records in the past and this she was able to set them again. She’s just the kind of kid that anyone would love to coach. I can’t say enough about her.”

Monticello’s John Mitchem earned the district’s coach of the year honors for the turnaround he and his Mustangs made this season.

The Warriors will host Fauquier County on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Region II tournament.

Fluvanna will head to Kettle Run also on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the same tournament.

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