By Duncan Nixon
The Fluvanna High volleyball team, under head coach Aimee McCall, got off to a strong start at home on Sept. 29. They won the first game easily, 25–12. The Patriots came back somewhat in the second game of the best-of-three wins format. The Flucos prevailed, however, this time by a comfortable six-point margin. A 3–0 win for the Flucos looked likely.
The Patriots regrouped and won the third and the fourth games in overtime, 26–24. With the match at 2–2, a fifth and deciding game is played to 15 points instead of to 25. In the deciding game, the Flucos and Patriots started evenly. The Flucos’ junior libero, Charlotte Gifford, took over the serve with the Flucos leading 6–5. The Flucos won four straight points with Gifford serving to take a five-point lead in a short game. The Patriots called a timeout, but they were done. Junior Avery Melton served the winning point for a 15–8 victory. The Flucos moved to an impressive 12–3 record.
In the first game, the Flucos moved to a comfortable ten-point lead at 17–7. They led by ten again at 22–12 and scored the final three points with sophomore Sydney Gentry serving for the win.
In the second game, the score stayed close early as both teams scored on their opponents’ serve. At 12–12, the Flucos scored three in a row. They had a four-point lead at 18–14 and a six-point lead at 22–16. Gentry served the winning point to seal the 25–19 win.
In the third game, Albemarle jumped to an early 8–3 lead. The Flucos immediately closed the gap as sophomore Norah Ferrell recorded three consecutive service aces to make the score 8–7 for Albemarle. The Flucos managed to tie the score at 11–11, 14–14, 19–19, and 21–21. With the teams trading points, the score went to 24–24 in a win-by-two-points game. Two quick points in overtime by the Patriots ended the game.
The fourth game started with the teams trading points. Each serve earns a point, and the serving team is at a disadvantage because, if it doesn’t score an ace, the defending team gets the first opportunity to set up a kill shot. The Flucos led most of the way early, but only by a point or two. The Patriots tied the game at 14–14 and 19–19. They then crept to 22–20 and 24–22 leads. Two points for the Flucos on serves by Gifford tied the score at 24–24 and sent the game into overtime. Again, it was the Patriots who scored two quick points for another 26–24 win.
After the game, McCall cited her team’s resolve in coming back after losing two tough games. She also noted that sophomore Annaly Correa had a strong game at the net and explained that her team was playing a reorganized setup due to senior standout Alyssa Lewis being out of state for an academic presentation.
The Flucos played at Charlottesville on Oct. 1 and will travel to Western Albemarle on Oct. 8. They will be home on Oct. 13 and 15, hosting Louisa and Orange County.
