By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
Senior Makayla Gentry had a strong game and senior Faith Shields recorded her 2,000th career assist on Oct. 18 as the Fluvanna County High volleyball team easily defeated the Hornets from Orange County. The Flucos have won most of the matches this season three games to none. This match was no exception.
In the first game, Gentry dominated play with multiple powerful kill shoots. The game got off to an even start at 3-3 out of the gate. However, Gentry had back-to-back kill shots in mid-game to take the score from 9-5 to 11-5. Later in the game, Gentry fired back-to-back ace serves for a 19-8 score. The Hornets could do nothing to close the score and the opening game was taken by the Flucos 25-11.
In the second game Gentry had an ace and three kill shots early and freshman Molly McCall chipped in with a kill shot as the Flucos ran to a commanding 10-3 lead. The Flucos did not let Orange back into the game at all. They led 15-7 and then 20-9. With Gentry delivering another kill shot and senior Brooke Napier serving effectively, the Flucos scored a second easy win 25-10. Late in the second game, play was halted to acknowledge that senior Faith Shields had become only the second player in Fluco volleyball history to record 2,000 assists. An assist in volleyball is recorded when a player sets up a teammate for a kill shot. The assist is usually a second touch, as the most common sequence is dig, set (or assist), and kill shot.
In the third game, Coach Christie Harlowe-Garrett called on some of her reserves and the final game was a close one. The game started with the Flucos taking the lead again. A service ace by sophomore libero Jillian Davis gave Fluvanna an 11-6 lead. However, the Hornets responded with three straight points to close the gap and they gained a 12-12 tie. The Flucos pushed the lead back to 19-15 and Napier served two aces for a 21-15 lead. The Hornets scored five of the next six points to cut the lead back to two at 22-20. The Flucos scored two to up their lead to 24-20 with only one more point needed for their third win. The Hornets made it a little bit interesting by running off three points, but the Flucos recorded the final point for a 25-23 win.
Gentry’s statistics for this game showed how dominating she was. She recorded 12 kill shots, a block and four aces. So, she was responsible for 17 of the Flucos 75 points on the night. The Flucos recorded many aces. In addition to Gentry’s 4, Napier and Davis each had four and junior Isabella Garrett and Shields had three. Shields led in assists, as usual with 20. Napier had 18 digs and Davis had 13.
The Flucos final home match of the regular season was on Oct. 25 against Charlottesville. The final regular season match will be Oct. 27 at Albemarle High School. Play-off games are still to be determined.
