Volleyball: Stone Bridge Sweeps Past Non-District Rival Broad Run

By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Ashburn (Oct. 27, 2009) - It was billed the Battle of Ashburn but one side had all the firepower Monday as the Stone Bridge High School volleyball team swept non-district rival Broad Run, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 in a surprisingly swift match.

The Bulldogs (16-2) were just too tall at the net for the Spartans(13-4) as the Stone Bridge block was able to control the Spartans (13-4). Balls that did get by the SB front line were picked up by the Bulldogs backrow, where Amy Christensen led with 14 digs, and that allowed setter Amanda Miller (29 assists) to run the offense with efficiency. Christine Beckham, like many of the players in the game, facing club teammates on the other side of the net, led Stone Bridge with 16 kills.

As much as all phases of Stone Bridge's game was working -- much to the delight of the Bulldogs "7th Fan" boisterous student group that made the short five minute trip to cheer on Stone Bridge at Broad Run -- Broad Run wasn't able to execute up to par in any of its key phases.

The Spartans will have to rebound quickly as they travel to Briar Woods tonight and then finish the AA Dulles District season by hosting Loudoun County on Thursday. If the Spartans sweep both they will wrap up a district title and automatic regional bid. A loss to LC could force a one-game special playoff.

Stone Bridge will host the AAA Liberty District tournament starting next Monday with a home quarterfinal match. The semifinals and finals are set for SB on Tuesday and Thursday. SB already has clinched a regional bid but a victory in the Liberty tournament would secure one of the four No. 1 seeds in the 16-team Northern Region tournament which is crucial.

Please check back for a photo gallery by Jeff Scudder from this match.

Leaders for SB Monday:
Christine Beckham 16 kills, 4 pts, 2 aces
Amanda Miller 29 assists, 2 blocks
Lindsay Gill 7 digs, 5 pts, 2 aces
Alex Heyn 4 kills, 3 blocks
Alexis Chism 5 kills, 3 blocks, 6 pts, 2 aces
Ryan Ackermann 5 kills, 5 pts
Amy Christensen 14 digs, 5 pts
Vanessa Paige 13 pts, 4 aces