Play state tourney game this Saturday
by Tom Chillemi –
Rappahannock left Middlesex on November 12 as the Region A volleyball champion, but the Lady Raiders knew they had been in a fight.
Rappahannock won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-16, leading all the way.
Set three turned into another Rappahannock runaway with the Lady Raiders leading 12-3, then stretching the margin to 10 points at 16-6. It looked like the Lady Chargers (21-2) were done. But looks can be deceiving.
Rappahannock needed 5 points to claim the Region A trophy. Trailing 20-11, Middlesex started a comeback that woke up the quiet Lady Charger fans. The Middlesex defense stiffened.
With Rappahannock ahead 22-15, the Lady Raiders appeared timid as Middlesex marched toward a do-or-die victory, scoring six straight points to cut the lead to 22-21. Rappahannock then scored one and Middlesex scored two—the score was tied 23-23!
Middlesex took the win, 25-23. They had pulled out a victory by scoring 14 points and holding Rappahannock to only 3 points.
The Lady Chargers’ momentum continued in the fourth set with a 25-17 win as the Lady Chargers adjusted to Rappahannock’s hitting tactics.
In the fifth and final game, Rappahannock bolted to a 7-3 lead and took the fifth game 15-5, scoring 8 straight points down the stretch. Rappahannock’s coach Kristin Patterson was named Region A Coach of the Year.
Middlesex and Rappahannock split games during the regular season and Rappahannock was the only team to defeat Middlesex this season.
State Tournament
As Region A runner-up, Middlesex will travel to play the Region B champion, either Riverheads or Rappahannock County, on Saturday, November 16. Check SSentinel.com for more details on the game as they become available.
Rappahannock will host the Region B runner-up.
The state semifinals will be on Tuesday, November 19, at a site to be determined. The state championship will be on Saturday, November 23, at noon at the Salem Civic Center.
MHS defeats NHS
Middlesex defeated Nor-thumberland on November 7 in the semifinals of the Region A Tournament, but it took the Lady Chargers four sets to do so.
The Lady Indians brought with them some loud fans, who cheered as the Lady Chargers fell behind in set one and seemed to lose their rhythm. The boom of Lady Charger Airiana Beverley’s slams was echoed as Northumberland’s libero stopped Beverley’s powerful hits with controlled bumps. Northumberland landed some well placed hits and the defense stiffened.
“Northumberland played well above the credit we gave them,” said Middlesex coach Brian Walton. “The first set they caught us somewhat off guard.” Fourth seed Northumberland won the first set 25-13, threatening to unseat the top seed Lady Chargers.
“After the first set we talked as a team and I told them that we must keep attacking and keep them on their heels versus us staying on our heels,” Coach Walton said this week. “We stuck together as a team and did just what I asked of them. Northumberland played very well all night but after the first set our determination took over. It was a very good test match going into state play.”
Middlesex won the next three sets 25-17, 25-21 and 25-22, served 93% as a team with 14 aces.
Beverley led the attack with 15 kills.
Laura Walton served at 96% with 5 aces, 9 kills, 24 assists, and 13 digs, while her soft touch caught the Lady Indians by surprise at times. Ellie McMinn had a big night with 9 kills, 2 aces and 3 blocks. Katie Brooke served at 100% with 2 aces.
The Lady Charger defense did its part with libero Elizabeth Ketner leading with 24 digs. Aniyah Thompson had 13 digs and Abby Purcell added 10 digs.
