Friday, November 8, 2024

Volleyball Roundup: Warhill Hands Jamestown First District Loss

Warhill's Nicole Mulligan recorded the match-ending kill. (Ty Hodges/WYDaily)
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Heading into Tuesday’s match against Jamestown, Warhill Coach Greg Koon wanted his team to earn their respect from a Jamestown team that sported a nine-match win streak.

Koon’s group did just that on Tuesday, as the Lions went to Jamestown and knocked off the Eagles in five sets 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 15-12.

“I think they played the top of their game,” Koon said of the Lions. “You come into the home gym of the team that beat you in three sets earlier this year – they had to go out and earn it, and they did.”

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with the two teams knotted up at 9-9 before Jamestown built a 16-11 lead.

Warhill battled back and won eight of the next 11 points to tie the match at 19-19. With both teams tied at 24-24, Warhill managed to win back-to-back points to secure the opening set.

After taking the first set, the Lions fell into a deep hole as Jamestown came out swinging in the second set. At one point in the second set, Jamestown held a 17-5 lead and looked to be cruising to a victory.

However, after a timeout from Koon, the Lions battled back and strung together a nine-point run to close the set to two points. Despite Warhill’s run in the set, Jamestown managed to pull itself together and hung on for a 25-22 win.

The third set was more of the same as both teams battled back and forth during a tight contest. Warhill built a 17-9 lead before Jamestown won 10 of the next 12 points to tie the set at 19-19.

A timeout by Koon calmed the Lions, who won six of the set’s final eight points to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.

The fourth set was the closest of the match, with neither team able to pull ahead by more than four points.

Warhill was on the verge of taking the set leading 25-24, but surrendered three consecutive points to hand Jamestown the set 27-25 and push the match to a final set.

In familiar fashion, Warhill and Jamestown were tied late in the set at 9-9. Back-to-back points from Jamestown gave the Eagles an 11-9 lead, but Warhill managed to reel off three consecutive points after a timeout.

Jamestown Coach Tom Stephenson called a timeout to break up the momentum of the 3-0 run by Warhill, but it appeared the damage was already done.

The Lions won the following two points before dropping a point to Jamestown. Leading 14-12, Warhill’s Nicole Mulligan delivered a spike that Jamestown could not corral, handing the Lions the victory .

With the win, Warhill becomes the only team this year in the Bay Rivers District to beat the Eagles, and is the only team in the state that can boast beating Jamestown on its home court.

When asked about the importance of the win for his program, Koon could not help but break a smile.

“It’s always a great feeling,” he said with a laugh. “It’s huge for the program. It’s huge for the girls’ psyche. It’s definitely going to give them confidence heading into the rest of the regular season and hopefully the postseason.”

Warhill (10-3) has won eight consecutive matches and now holds the longest winning streak in the Bay Rivers District. The Lions will look to keep that streak alive when they travel to play Grafton on Oct. 20.

Conversely, Jamestown (15-2) will look to cope with its first district loss of the season and its first five-set match all year. The Eagles will get a chance to get back on the winning path with a home match against New Kent on Thursday.

Warhill def. Jamestown 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 15-12

Warhill: Nicole Mulligan (12 kills, 12 digs, 5 blocks), Cori Clifton (13 kills, 13 assists, 8 digs), Chloe Wilmoth (20 assists, 11 kills)
Jamestown: Maria Esch (32 digs, 16 kills), Maggie Viniard (25 assists, 20 digs), Ellie Popelka (12 kills, 8 digs)

 

Grafton Takes Down New Kent in Four Sets

Grafton’s volleyball team extended its win streak to five consecutive matches after beating New Kent at home Thursday 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-11.

After narrowly dropping the first set 23-25 to New Kent, Grafton took the following three sets by 10 points, two points and 14 points, respectively.

Grafton’s Sam Heard led the Clippers with a double-double of 18 kills and 10 digs to go with four blocks. Sophia Beaudoin added 12 digs and eight kills, and Rachel Blitt chipped in 14 kills and eight digs.

The Clippers (13-5) will look to continue their win streak during a home match against Lafayette on Thursday.

Grafton def. New Kent 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-11

Grafton: Sam Heard (18 kills, 10 digs, 4 blocks), Sophia Beaudoin (12 digs, 8 kills), Rachel Blitt (14 kills, 8 digs)
New Kent: Sydney Griffith (12 kills, 11 digs), Emily Angle (21 assists, 7 digs), Paige Simpson (11 digs, 9 kills)

 

Lafayette Sweeps York

Lafayette earned an easy straight-set victory at home against York on Tuesday, cruising past the Falcons 25-13, 25-9, 25-10.

After topping York by 12 points in the opening set, the Rams defeated the Falcons by 16 points and 15 points in the next two sets.

The Rams were led by Abby Oren with 16 kills and five digs. Kelly Carroll had 11 kills and seven digs, and Abby Goetsch added 31 assists, eight aces and six digs.

Lafayette (8-6) will continue its season on the road against Grafton on Thursday.

Meanwhile, York (0-11) is still looking for its first win and will get that opportunity when the Falcons hit the road against Bruton on Thursday.

Lafayette def. York 25-13, 25-9, 25-10

Lafayette: Abby Oren (16 kills, 5 digs), Kelly Carroll (11 kills, 7 digs), Abby Goetsch (31 assists, 8 aces, 6 digs)

 

Bruton Tops Tabb in Five Sets

Bruton’s volleyball team earned a grueling five-set road win (20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 15-6) against Tabb on Tuesday.

Tabb took the opening set over the Panthers 25-20 thanks to strong play from Abby Carney, who finished the match with 28 assists, 20 digs and eight aces.

Bruton countered in the second set, taking down the Tigers 25-19 to knot the match at 1-1.

The two teams exchanged sets in the third and fourth set, with Tabb taking the third set and Bruton taking the fourth set.

Tied at 2-2 heading into the fifth state, Bruton took control of the match and won the fifth set decisively 15-6.

Bruton (4-11) snaps a two-match losing streak with the win and will hope to keep that trend going during a home match against York on Thursday.

Tabb (2-10) has lost seven straight matches dating back to Sept. 15 and is hoping to get back in the win column during a home match against Smithfield on Thursday.

Bruton def. Tabb 20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 15-6

Bruton: Gabby Calloway (25 kills, 38 digs), Mykael Johnson (11 kills, 19 digs), Alexa Woolson (19 assists, 22 digs)
Tabb: Abby Carney (28 assists, 20 digs, 8 aces, 5 kills), Madi Dadez (16 digs, 11 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks), Ashley Muhich (30 digs, 2 aces, 2 kills, 3 assists)

 

Norfolk Christian Upends HRA

Hampton Roads Academy lost 25-19, 25-21, 25-19 at home against Norfolk Christian on Tuesday.

The Navigators put up close fights in all three sets, but were unable to secure a set victory.

HRA was led by Megan Leavey with 11 kills, and Kendall Schroder with 28 digs.

The Navigators (6-11) will continue their season Thursday with a road match against Norfolk Academy.

Norfolk Christian def. HRA 25-19, 25-21, 25-19

HRA: Meghan Lee (9 kills), Megan Leavey (11 kills), Kendall Schroder (28 digs)

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