BY ANTHONY STEVENS
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
COUNCIL, Va. – There have been a lot of similarities between the 2008 and 2009 seasons for John Battle.
Last year at this juncture, the Trojans had four losses – all defeats by Gate City. The same has held true this season.
The Blue Devils swept John Battle 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-16) in the Region D championship match at Council Elementary School on Thursday. The Trojans overall record dropped to 20-4 and all the losses have come to Gate City.
“Gate City has an excellent program,” said John Battle coach Gary Griffitts. “Coach [Amy] Reed runs a college-style offense, it’s fast-paced and that’s what you have to do. There is
no lack of talent on that team.”
John Battle was definitely handicapped in the title match.
It would have been a difficult enough task to beat the defending state champion Blue Devils with hitter Kelsey Griffitts at full strength. But Griffitts, who holds the VHSL Group A state
record for kills with 1,217, saw very limited action with a back injury. When she did play it was on the back row.
“We made the decision to get Kelsey as healthy as we can for Tuesday,” said coach Griffitts. “We tried to change it up and we knew we might struggle a little. It’s tough when you take kids out of their comfort zone and change how they do things.”
Both teams still advance to the Group A state volleyball tournament. Gate City (22-1) will host the Region C runner-up on Tuesday.
John Battle will travel on Tuesday to face the Region C champion. Battle would love to progress and get the opportunity to face the Blue Devils a fifth time this year.
“We may see Gate City again,” said coach Griffitts. “We may surprise some people and get up to Richmond. We’d love to face them again. We have a good team, but we need to get tougher mentally.”
It was the sixth consecutive Region D championship for Gate City. The Blue Devils took the lead at 8-7 in the first set and never trailed from that point.
Gate City took a 5-0 lead in the second set, as Brittany Simpson served the first five points. The Blue Devils never trailed as they rolled to the win. The third set was tied a couple of
times early, but great play at the net and a good service game was a lethal combination as Gate City won the match in less than an hour.
The Blue Devils finished with 32 kills in the match, controlling the net without Griffitts up front.
“It was a totally different game without her,” said Reed. “It would have been more enthusiastic, more of an aggressive game if she had been in there. She plays a big part in their game. Coach Griffitts probably made a smart move saving her and letting her rest her injury.”
While John Battle was not at full strength, Gate City had several players step up. Ashton Dougherty slammed down a match-high 16 kills and also had seven digs. Santana Bishop added six kills. Callie Sloop (12 points with five aces, 27 assists and 5 digs) had a solid all-around game. Sydnee Snapp (11 points) and Ashlee Mustard (10 points) also had a good game serving.
“Coming into tonight’s matchup, Dougherty was a big key to our game,” Reed said. “She’s a good player and can dominate. Now is her time to shine.”
Ashley Bryant totaled five kills and six service points for the Trojans. Brittni Altmann and Meghan Corns had four blocks each. Griffitts finished with five assists.
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