HRA volleyball coach Lisa Thatcher labeled the feeling as ‘very exciting’ after the Navigators player their way to a co-Tidewater Conference championship during the regular season two weeks ago.
Thatcher, whose been coaching HRA’s volleyball team since the early 90s, couldn’t find the words to describe her feelings Saturday night after HRA added a TCIS tournament championship to its trophy case. Both the regular-season and tournament titles are the first in program history.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Thatcher said Saturday night after her team defeated Norfolk Academy, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22, in the tournament championship. “I’m just so proud of my team. The [Tidewater] conference is so tough; it’s going to be a competitive match no matter who you play, and the girls were never cocky, but they played with a lot of confidence each game.”
Laura Killough, who was named MVP of the tournament, led the Navigators in the victory on Saturday with 19 digs. Bri Underwood (11 kills) and Lauren Yevak (14 digs, 5 kills), who joined Killough on the all-tournament team, also turned in standout performances along with Brianna Yevak (20 assists), Kellyn DeChirico (6 blocks, 3 kills) and Rebecca Schell (9 kills, 2 blocks).
HRA’s 21-2 record is the best in Thatcher’s lengthy tenure with the program and has earned Navigators a number one ranking in the final VISAA Division 2 state poll of the year. They’ll host Seton in the opening round of the state tournament on Tuesday.
