By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluvanna County volleyball squad demonstrated depth and tenacity on Oct. 30 when they topped the Patriots from Albemarle High three games to one in the Jefferson District play-off championship game. The Flucos finished the regular Jefferson District season in second place with an 11-3 record in District play. To reach the final, the Flucos topped third seeded Monticello High. Albemarle was fourth seeded and reached the final by topping Western Albemarle, which was undefeated in regular season District play.
As this match began, it looked like Albemarle might continue its success as an underdog. The first game was back and forth and incredibly tight. There were ties at 9-9, 14-14, 18-18 and 20-20. In the final moments Albemarle outscored the Flucos 5-2 to win the opening game 25-22. The Flucos were playing with their outstanding Division 1 senior captain Molly McCall in a limited role due to injury. Coach Christi Harlowe did not start McCall and substituted her sparingly. It definitely looked like the four seed could win the tournament.
Despite McCall’s limited role, the Flucos came roaring back in game two. They demonstrated all around depth and talent. The second game started with the Patriots scoring early. But, with sophomore Norah Ferrell serving the Flucos tied the score at 6-6. Ferrell then served two aces and the Fluco took their lead to 9-6 on a powerful kill shot. From that point the Flucos maintained their lead of three or four points and kicked their lead to six points at 18-12 Senior Elizabeth Garrett ended the game with a kill shot as the Flucos won 25-16, evening the match at one game each.
The third game was all Flucos. With Junior MaryAlyce Kidd serving, the Flucos scored three points in a row including a service ace. The Flucos led 8-4. They still led by four at 12-8. Ferrell and McCall had kill shots and it was suddenly 21-10. Albemarle called a time-out, but to no avail. The Flucos won by a convincing thirteen-point margin 25-12. The Flucos looked like the clearly superior team. Wins by nine and thirteen points are impressive in highly competitive play-offs. Multiple players were contributing in multiple ways.
In the fourth game, the Patriots rallied and a close game ensued. The score was tied early at 5-5 and 10-10. With senior Taylor Stringer serving the Flucos recorded three straight points to open a five point lead at 19-14. McCall had a couple of kill shots including the winner at 25-21. With their three games to one win, the Flucos avoided the heart challenging fifth game to 15 points.
The Fluco statistics demonstrate how balanced the team was in this match. Junior Allyssa Lewis had eight kill shots, McCall and Ferrell had seven kill shots, Senior Mariah Quinn had six kills, Garrett had five and senior Carson Johnston had four. Ferrell and Garrett each had 19 assists. Johnston and Quinn had three and two blocks respectively.
With the Jefferson District championship in hand, Harlowe’s, team moves on to Region play. The first game was played on Nov. 4 at Fluvanna.
