VOLLEYBALL: Sackwitz serves up win for Northwood Panthers

SALTVILLE, Va. – Brandi Sackwitz stepped to the service line and smacked a serve over the net that George Wythe’s defenders couldn’t handle.

It was a scene that played out consistently for the Northwood High School senior Monday night.

Sackwitz put on a display from the service line and finished with 10 aces as Northwood posted a 25-18, 25-15, 11-25, 25-11 victory over George Wythe in the first round of the Hogoheegee District volleyball tournament.

The third-seeded Panthers (18-3) will play Rural Retreat tonight in the semifinals of the district tournament. Chilhowie plays Patrick Henry in the other semifinal at Northwood High School.

However, things weren’t exactly easy for Northwood on Monday. Northwood head coach Jean Gillespie held an impromptu practice session following the match after what she
considered a less than inspired effort from her team.

“I didn’t get what I wanted tonight,” Gillespie said. “We didn’t break a sweat. If I can’t get it in the game, I’ll get it another way.”

One thing, Gillespie couldn’t dispute was the serving ability of Sackwitz. She opened the second game with 13 straight service points, including four aces. It helped Northwood build an impressive 13-0 lead en route to the victory.

“She’s done a real good job placing the serve and I can call where I need it go and she puts it there,” Gillespie said. “She’s done a really good job with that.”

The secret to success is simple for Sackwitz.

“When I serve, I try to hit into the holes,” she said. “If you serve it somewhere where they’re not going to return it, we’re more than likely to get them to pass a free ball over the net and we can get an offense set up.”

Northwood senior Kelsee Smith knows a few things about being on target. She dished out 25 assists for the Panthers and was also impressed by her teammates’ production.

“She’s came on with the serves here when we need it,” Smith said of Sackwitz. “She’s getting about 10 aces a game. She’s doing really well.”

Kristin Dean (12 digs, 11 kills), Chelsey Cardwell (eight kills) and Nin Snodgrass (nine kills, six digs) also played well for Northwood.

It was a rare early exit from the district tournament for George Wythe. A perennial power, the Maroons lost their two top hitters from 2008 and struggled with a youthful lineup.

Carla Suthers led GW with 15 assists and 14 digs before leaving with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Julie Compton (18 service points) and Carlee Vaught (eight kills) were also strong in defeat.

“It’s been rough,” said George Wythe coach Jo Repass said. “That [match] right there is a good example of our season, because it’s been a roller coaster ride the whole year. We’ll
play really well in spurts and then just fall apart. That game right there is a sum up of our season. Like I said, we had some really good moments and then really bad moments.”

Northwood is now set for a semifinal showdown with Rural Retreat. The teams split their two matches in the regular season.

“We’re pretty pumped about it,” Sackwitz said. “We’re going to play like a team and give it our best.”