The Middlesex High School Lady Chargers varsity volleyball team (1-0 at press time) opened the season on Aug. 27 defeating visiting Rappahannock of Warsaw in four sets.
Rappahannock won the first set 25-12, then the Lady Chargers rallied 25-12, 25-21, and 29-27, to avenge losses to Rappahannock, which was the only team to defeat Middlesex during last year’s regular season.
After losing the first set, MHS Head Coach Brian Walton calmed down his team. “I let them know that if we just cleaned up our own mistakes that we would get the outcome we are looking for,” said Coach Walton. “I’m very proud of how we stayed poised and together throughout the match!”
Lady Charger Carly Jessie led a well-balanced offensive attack with 13 kills, Karlie Morris had 12 kills and Hailey Bruce had 11 kills.
Libero Libby Oliver led the defense with 23 digs, Hailey Bruce had 21, Addison Heasley had 16 and Carly Jessie had 10. Setting specialist Addison Heasley had 30 assists.
Also on defense, Karlie Morris had seven blocks with four stuff blocks for points.
Rappahannock had a decent middle blocker, said Coach Walton, and Karlie Morris “made a good adjustment mid game” dinking the ball instead of spiking it hard.
Rori Stuart had two blocks with one stuff block.
Freshman Hannah Lambert “stepped up big at the service line” with 19 serves and two aces, noted Coach Walton.
The Lady Chargers host AA King William on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity follows at 7 p.m. The varsity only is at Carver Academy on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Lady Chargers participate in the “Battle of the Bay” invitational tournament starting at 8 a.m. in the John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium in Saluda.
