Luray started season 0-6, and are now tied for second in district standings
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Sept. 18 — After starting the season with five losses to larger schools and a district-opening defeat to Central, the Luray volleyball team has now recorded three consecutive wins in the Bull Run and currently stand tied for second place with the Falcons from Woodstock.
“Coming off an 0-6 start, we’ve been making small adjustments to be able to ‘get over the hump.’ There haven’t been big items to take care of — increasing left side production with more aggressive swings, playing balls out of the net, free ball transition, etc. We’ve known all along if we can clean up the ‘small’ things, the difference would be huge,” LHS head coach Susan Henry-Wilson said on Thursday night.
“When you play good teams, effort won’t be enough and we have to execute,” she added. “The team has been incredibly positive while working hard each day, and I believe that is going to help us this season.”
On Thursday night at Page County, the Bulldogs found a formidable opponent in the rival Panthers, who took them to the wire in a wild first set that saw eight ties and nine lead changes. Page lead off with a 5-0 run to start the opening set, but Luray answered back with a 6-0 run to take the lead. The set then went back-and-forth with no more than a four-point difference the rest of the way. The Panthers pushed the set to a 26-26 tie before the Bulldogs were able to record the last two points for the win.
Luray then went on to dominate the next two sets, 25-9 and 25-16. The Bulldogs were lead by senior Reese Fitton, who recorded seven kills and an ace. On Tuesday at Madison, Fitton put up 15 kills, 16 digs, seven blocks and three aces.
“Reese has played incredible thus far. She’s very effective at the net and I think most teams are trying to determine how they will defend against her or how they will contain her. Our job is to not let that happen. We want to make her even more of a weapon and include more versatile shots and different tempo attacks for her,” Coach Henry-Wilson said after Thursday’s win. “Her leadership goes beyond the X’s and O’s on the court. She cares about her teammates and wants them to be just as successful. She’s a student of the game and is committed to helping this team succeed.”
LHS sophomore Caroline Donovan had six kills and five aces against the Panthers, plus seven kills and six aces against the Mountaineers on Tuesday. Classmate Lakin Vile, one of the most improved players on this year’s squad, posted five kills in Thursday’s win and had a dozen on Tuesday. Luray’s sophomore class, which makes up eight of the 12 roster slots, also includes setter Sierra Forder and another threat at the net in Emily Benson.
“Our sophomore class is critical to our success. We rely on them to be effective and accountable when they take the court regardless of age. Being young does not give us an excuse or an easy out,” the LHS coach said. “We returned four sophomores who played on varsity last season, and with a competitive freshman campaign under their belt, their experience and leadership skills have been extremely helpful to the other sophomores now playing on varsity. Everyone is expecting a lot from this class and I have full confidence they’ll deliver.”
During Thursday night’s rivalry match, Page County was lead by senior standout Addyson Wyant with three kills, two aces and two big blocks. Junior Adi Caton recorded four aces, a kill and a block. Junior Rylan Martin added two kills, while sophomore Caelyn Lucas had one kill.
The Panthers (1-3, 1-8) notched their only win this season over Stonewall Jackson on Sept. 9. Next up, Page County will host Harrisonburg on Monday, Sept. 22 at 7:15 p.m.
After a five-set thriller over Madison on Tuesday and a rivalry victory over Page on Thursday, momentum is building for the Bulldogs as they get into the heat of district action. Clarke County currently sits atop the Bull Run with a 4-0 district record, but both Luray and Central stand at 3-1.
After a road game in Roanoke at Patrick Henry on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:15 p.m., the Bulldogs (3-1, 3-6) will host Rappahannock on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:15 p.m.
“Our girls want to play well for each other and that will speak for itself when you watch them play. They’re scrappy and they don’t give up and that’s what sets them apart from other teams because they stay in the fight — they could be down 5 or up 10 and you won’t be able to tell. The competitor in them is what I love most about them,” Coach Henry-Wilson said. “Our expectations are high this year and we want to make sure we are all taking care of our responsibilities to make sure we are playing in November…the seniors deserve that much.”
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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