Loudoun County Sweeps Heritage

Volleyball Showdown Goes to Undefeated Raiders

By Paul Tenorio

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

It had been three weeks since No. 2 Loudoun County last hosted a home match, and in the days leading up to its crucial Virginia AA Dulles District clash with Heritage, the Raiders said they felt it was as if they were preparing for a monumental home opener.

The excitement was evident in a raucous gym, and the Raiders matched the energy of the atmosphere early and held off their talented rivals late in a 25-11, 25-18, 26-24 sweep of Heritage. Loudoun County (11-0, 7-0) has won 39 matches in a row.

"We did some of our pregame stuff we did last year to really get us psyched up for big games, and I think it really worked," Loudoun County Coach Jenica Matthias said. "The girls were just so pumped that I think more or less hitting and loose ball pickup and consistent serving really came into play tonight, because the girls were hitting awesome."

In the first set, it was all Loudoun County, as the Raiders built a commanding 7-1 lead off the strong play of William & Mary-bound senior Shaylin O’Connell, who had three kills and one block in the first eight points. The lead seemed to overwhelm a young Heritage team, which fought back to 13-6 but never got closer as Loudoun County took control behind senior Rochelle Latka (four kills in the set) and O’Connell.

"We were ready to dominate," said junior setter Robin Marsala, who transferred to County this year from Nebraska.

Heritage (14-2-1, 6-1) seemed to shake any nerves in the second set, and the two teams traded points for much of the set. The Pride took its first lead at 2-1, and behind the tremendous play of outside hitter Lian Bernett, who had five kills in the set, hung tough and was tied at 18 before County made a run.

It started with O’Connell, who had two kills and a block to swing momentum to the Raiders and put County up 21-18. The senior’s play forced the Pride to focus on the middle, opening things up elsewhere as junior Emily Vandegrift and sophomore Sammy Dormio combined for four consecutive kills to close things out and give County the set, 25-18.

The late run showcased County’s versatility and ability to attack from several areas despite the loss of two talented hitters from last year’s state championship team.

"We try to work on that, our team chemistry," Matthias said. "That's what I try to supply each year. Get six to seven really good hitters, and then when someone’s not on, someone will make a play. And tonight it just happened to be that many of them were on."

Heritage once again responded in the third set, trading points with County and playing effectively behind Bernett, Ashley Scott and Emma LeMaitre to take a 21-19 lead. The Raiders battled back and took a 23-22 lead behind a kill from O’Connell, but Heritage once again went on top and was within one point of winning the set at 24-23.

But Marsala (25 assists) entered the match and placed two perfect sets, first running to a back corner and twisting to set up Dormio and then cleverly assisting Vandegrift on the match-winner.

"I was ready to go," Marsala said. "I love coming in when it's super, super tight because it's just like, 'Get ready for me.' That's my attitude."

O'Connell led County with 13 kills and four blocks, while Juliane Hanna (11 kills, 10 digs) also impressed on the night.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks