One of the most successful seasons of the Middlesex Lady Charger volleyball program came to an end on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the State Class One Tournament at Warsaw when the Rappahannock Raiders prevailed 3-1. Middlesex won the third set 25-19; and Rappahannock won the rest 30-28, 25-19 and 25-21.
Rappahannock, the Region 1A champion, advances to the state championship match on Saturday at the Salem Civic Center near Roanoke.
Quarter-finals
Middlesex, the Region 1A runner-up, advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal match against Rappahannock by defeating the Region 1B champions host Altavista 3-1 on Saturday, Nov. 16 in the quarter-finals of the Class 1 State Tournament. It was the first win in a state tournament for the Lady Chargers since coach Brian Walton started coaching the team eight years ago.
At Altavista, Middlesex won the first two sets 25-15 and 25-18. The Colonel girls took the third set 25-16. Middlesex won the third set 25-12 to take the match. “The key to beating Altavista was believing in ourselves, letting go of all emotions and just playing the game,” said Coach Walton. Lady Charger Karlie Morris shut down the Altavista outside hitter and collected 23 kills, 11 blocks with eight stuff blocks in that game. As a team Middlesex served at 97.5%.
All-Region
Four seniors on the Middlesex High School Lady Charger volleyball team were chosen to the first team All Region 1A — Karlie Morris, Addy Heasley, Libby Oliver and Hailey Bruce.
Lady Chargers making the second team All-Region 1A include juniors Carly Jessie and Courtney Jessie.
Sophomore Rori Stuart received an honorable mention to All-Region 1A team.
