by Tom Chillemi –
It was a season to remember. For the first time in 25 years the Middlesex Lady Chargers volleyball team was the regular season Tidewater District champion. The Lady Chargers also won the Tidewater District Tournament, and placed second to Rappahannock in the Region A Tournament.
“This season was another step forward,” said Lady Chargers coach Brian Walton. “We reached one of our team goals by winning the district for the first time since 1994! We still have two more goals—being regional champs and state champs.”
On November 16 the Lady Chargers’ season ended with a loss in the state tournament quarterfinals at Riverheads, the defending Class 1A State Champion, 25-11, 25-13 and 25-16.
The Lady Chargers finished the season with a record of 21-3.
In other state quarterfinal action on Saturday, Rappahannock defeated Rappahannock County in five sets.
Honors
Middlesex had six players selected for postseason honors. All are underclassmen and can return next year.
Junior Laura Walton was named Tidewater District Player of the Year and the Region A Player of the Year. Walton ended the season with 114 aces, 200 kills, 396 assists and 138 digs.
Junior Elizabeth Ketner was named Tidewater District and Region A Libero of the Year. She contributed 286 digs and 61 aces.
Junior Airiana Beverley was first team All-District and first team All-Region A. Beverley recorded 258 kills and 33 blocks. She is 95 kills away from breaking the MHS kill record. (A kill is a hit that is not returned.)
Sophomore Aniyah Thompson made first team All-District and second team All-Region A. She had 124 digs and 57 aces.
Junior Ellie McMinn was second team All-District and second team All-Region A with 138 kills, 42 aces and 43 blocks.
Junior Katie Brooke was second team All-District and second team All-Region A with 64 aces and 233 assists.
Although Ella Hodges was not chosen for postseason honors, as a freshman she tallied 77 kills and 71 blocks.
Future
Coach Walton is looking forward to building on this year’s success. “With the girls’ growth this year and the number of girls that will be playing travel volleyball this winter, the 2020 season should be a lot of fun,”
