Luray moves to 2-1 on season and travel to East Rock Wednesday
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Sept. 3 — The Luray Bulldogs made up for a non-district loss five days earlier to East Rockingham in their home opener, with a home court victory over non-district Buffalo Gap on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs dropped the first set, but came back to win the next three to capture a 3-1 victory. Luray travels to East Rock for a rematch with the Eagles Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs field a relatively young team this season, featuring four freshman on a 10-person roster. However, Luray returns senior Caydence Cave, a great setter who earned first team All-District honors in the Bull Run last season. Senior Katelyn Taglauer is back again, as well as junior Reese Fitton, a third-year player who contributed as a freshman and earned second team All-District honors in the Bull Run a year ago as a sophomore.
Some of the team’s youth is stepping up early, as the Bulldogs are getting strong play from freshman Sierra Forder, the younger sister of Summer Forder, who graduated last year after earning first team All-District honors. Head coach Susan Henry-Wilson is also getting solid minutes from sophomore Chloe Gochenour and freshmen Caroline Donovan and Emily Benson.
On Tuesday night, Luray played a competitive first set with Buffalo Gap, which was tied several times and never featured more than a three-point gap in the score. After a tie at 23-23, the Shenandoah District opponent took the opening set 25-23. The Bison got particularly strong play at the net all night from two freshmen — Bailey Tribble and Harper Carter. Gap features three freshmen and five seniors among its 11 players on the roster.
Luray rode a 13-5 lead into a 26-16 victory in the second set to even the match at 1-1. Forder recorded both aces from the back line and kills at the net during the second set. The third frame saw the Bulldogs build an 8-0 lead and later an 15-5 advantage en route to a 25-18 victory. Fitton recorded a half dozen kills in the third set.
The fourth and final set also saw Luray get out to a 5-0 lead, and later a 10-3 advantage. However, the Bison weren’t giving up, as they scored nine of the next 10 points, bringing the score to 11-10 in favor of the home team. The rest of the way never saw a difference of more than four points and the final frame was tied five times in the final stretch. Luray was able to break away from a 21-21 tie and score the final four points for a 25-21 win to take the match.
The Bulldogs opened their 2024 season with a non-district win on the road at Stuarts Draft on Aug. 27. Two days later they would drop their home opener to East Rock in three straight sets — 25-23, 25-21, 25-17. Luray (2-1) will be looking to even the score with the Eagles (5-1) on Wednesday night, as they hit the road for a 7:15 p.m. start in Elkton.
The Bison (1-1), who started their season with a 3-0 home court victory over Stonewall Jackson on Aug. 27, will be traveling to Quicksburg Thursday night to take on the Generals (0-2) at 7:15 p.m.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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