Rye Cove, Gate City return to Region D finals

BY ANTHONY STEVENS

Sports Correspondent

CASTLEWOOD – There were many changes in Region D prior to the 2007-08 school year but the volleyball landscape hasn’t changed.

For the second consecutive year, Rye Cove and Gate City will battle for the Region D championship, with both teams advancing to the Group A Tournament.

In the opening match, Gate City rolled J.J. Kelly 25-15, 25-10, 25-20. The Blue Devils (22-1) were never tied and never trailed in the first two games as they established dominance.

"We knew we had to be ready to play this match going in," Gate City coach Amy Reed said. "These girls were focused and ready. This team doesn’t give in, they don’t get rattled and that’s a big plus for this team."

J.J. Kelly did come back strong in game three. It was close from the outset and was tied 10 times. After tying it 14-14, the Indians hit a serve into the net to give the Blue Devils a one-point lead and they never trailed from that point.

Chelsea Spivey served three consecutive points, including an ace, and benefiting from a block at the net from Jennifer Lewis. Kelly (23-2) could never pull closer than two as the Blue Devils won the match.

"We were ready tonight," said Spivey. "We played solid the first two games, but we struggled a little in game three. This was [a] big win getting us to the quarterfinals."

Spivey did an outstanding job, finishing with 27 assists, nine service points and three aces. Jennifer Lewis (nine kills, 17 digs), Brittany Simpson (nine kills), Tessa Burton (eight kills), Lindsey Burke (six kills) and Ashton Dougherty (four blocks) were all forces up front.

Senior Kalen Collins led the Indians with 12 kills and fellow senior Samantha Brummette totaled 22 assists. Autumn Chisenhall added six kills for J.J. Kelly.

In the second match, J.I. Burton (10-13) made its presence felt with a strong effort against Rye Cove, which posted a 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21 win.

"We knew coming in that we needed to eliminate our mistakes," Burton coach John Bright said. "We needed to be aggressive without hurting ourselves."

Burton had a strong start in game two, taking a 17-14 lead, but the Eagles’ Christi Hood stepped to the service line and turned things around with nine consecutive points.

"I just knew I had to get the serve in and keep it going," Hood said. "We were real worried but everyone stepped up and started making the plays that we needed."

Kayla Gibson, who finished the match with 14 kills, sparked Rye Cove (20-4) in games three and four.

"Near the end of the final three games Gibson made several significant plays," Rye Cove coach Greg Gilliam said. "She got us some points when we really needed it. It was hit and miss for us. We were inconsistent. We’ve been starting slow the last three or four matches, it’s been a pattern and we need to get out of it."

For the Eagles, Leah Miller added 12 kills and Shelli McDavid had seven kills. Cyndi Hood had 34 assists.

The Raiders were led by Chelsea Forney with 10 kills and Ruth Oviatt with 10 kills and two blocks. Hannah Stewart totaled 33 assists and also had 10 points.

Rye Cove and Gate City will meet for the regional championship tonight at 7. The winner will host a state quarterfinal game while the loser will be on the road. The two teams met during the regular season, with Gate City winning both matches.