Virginia High Stops Lebanon In Clinch Mountain District Tournament

BY ANTHONY STEVENS
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

LEBANON, Va. –  The third time was the charm for the Virginia High Bearcats.

After being swept by Lebanon in the regular season, Virginia High defeated the Pioneers 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 15-8) at Long Gymnasium on Tuesday in the first round of the Clinch Mountain District tournament.

“We have struggled all season, you could see it tonight,” said Virginia High coach Holly Rolen. “We’re up and down and sometimes lose focus. We started out very slow, with very little energy. But when we’re up we play well. I’m proud of them for pulling it out.”

The Pioneers won the first game with relative ease. But the Bearcats came back to win the next two. The fourth game was close from start to finish.

Lebanon was called for a net violation to tie it for the ninth time at 24-24. Virginia High’s serve then went into the net to give Lebanon a one-point advantage.
Then the Bearcats were called for going under the net on the next point to give Lebanon the win and even the match at 2-2.

It appeared the Pioneers had all the momentum as they jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fifth game. Virginia High slowly clawed back into it. Lebanon had a 6-3 lead, but a spike attempt went into the net to pull the Bearcats within two. That brought junior Lydia Hayes to the service line for Virginia High.

“Hayes is a solid server, she doesn’t have very many errors,” Rolen said. “She can move the ball and put it where she wants to. It has a little rise to it and she dropped some short which they didn’t expect.”

Hayes reeled off seven straight service points including three aces.

“I just tried to focus the best that I could,” said Hayes. “They had two people on the back row, so I was trying to shoot it down the middle and just keeping it in play.”

The Bearcats had what proved to be an insurmountable 11-7 advantage when Hayes was finished serving. Virginia High then took four of the final five points to win the match.
“In this sport the energy goes a long way,” Rolen said. “The momentum is so important. If you can turn it around, you really have a good shot.”

Hayes had a very solid all-around match, finishing with 13 points, seven aces, and dishing out 38 assists. Sophomore Logan Luttrel was in double digits, recording 12 kills. Kendra Smith posted seven kills.

The Bearcats also received outstanding play on the back row. Paige Adkins (17 digs), Nikki Nelms (15 digs), and Luttrel (15 digs) kept the ball in play.
Lebanon (8-13) was led by Meredith Farmer with seven kills. Hanna Frye added four kills and 24 assists.

“We had some mental errors,” said Lebanon coach Kristen Fletcher. “It threw us off and we just couldn’t come back from it. We’re a young team and it’s been a challenge to come back from the small things all season.”

Virginia High (6-15) earned the right to face the defending Group A state champions – Gate City – in the CMD semifinals on Wednesday.

“I’m glad to be there,” stated Rolen. “Gate City is really tough and we know that, but we’ll give them the best match that we can give them.”