By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco volleyball team Coach Christi Harlow-Garrett stated after the team’s match on Sept.14 that her team “just never got in rhythm.” A strong visiting Patriots team handed the Flucos only their second loss in 10 matches, winning three consecutive games by scores of 25-14, 25-11 and 25-20.
All three games were similar, as the games started evenly, but Albemarle drew away each time in the middle or end of the scoring. In the first game, the score was tied 8-8 but the Patriots went on an eight-point run to establish a lead that is pretty insurmountable. They then coasted to their 25-14 win. The second game opened the same way, as the teams split the first 14 points. This time, the Patriots ran off five straight points. The Flucos still trailed by five with the score Fluvanna 9 and Albemarle 14, but the Patriots recorded 11 of the final 13 points for an easy 25-11 win. In the third game of the best three of five format, the Flucos showed some grit as they did not fold, even though trailing two games to none. As was the case in the first two games, the start of this game was even with an 8-8 tie score early. This time, the Flucos held on with determination. The score was still tied at 18-18. Unfortunately, the Patriots scored seven of the last 10 points for the win.
After the game, Coach Harlow-Garrett acknowledged that the bigger Patriots were difficult to contain at the net. It also appeared that the Patriots had a deeper bench, as several substitutes for Albemarle made major contributions to the outcome. Some of the leading players for the Flucos in the various statistical categories were, sophomore Molly McCall with six kill shots, two aces, one block and four assists, senior Isabell Garrett had four kills, two aces, one block and ten assists, and senior Brenna Rea pitched in with three kills, and two blocks.
Harlow-Garrett said that in two earlier September games, the Flucos had wins over Wilson Memorial of Fishersville and over Charlottesville High. The win over Wilson Memorial was an epic battle going to five games. Against Wilson Memorial, Jillian Davis recorded an amazing 45 digs and three aces. Molly McCall recorded 12 kills and 13 assists and Isabelle Garrett scored seven aces, 12 kills and 17 assists. In the match at Charlottesville on Sept. 9, McCall had 10 kills, while I. Garrett recorded three aces and six kills. Rea pitched in with two aces and two blocks.
On Sept. 19, the Flucos hosted the Western Albemarle Warriors. On Sept. 26, they travel to Orange County, and on Sept. 26 and 28 they host Louisa County and Goochland County.
