Volleyball: Two-Time Defending State Champion Loudoun County Headed to States for Fourth Straight Season

Leesburg (Nov. 12, 2009) - The two-time AA defending state champion Loudoun County High School volleyball team is headed to the state tournament for the fourth straight season. The Raiders were AA runner-ups in 2006 and state champs in 2007 and 2008.

The Raiders punched their ticket to the VHSL AA State Tournament with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-17, 25-21) over Kettle Run High School Thursday.

Before they play their state Quarterfinal next Tuesday, three-time defending region champion LC must travel to Western Albemarle Saturday for the Region II title match. Loudoun County is the only team to defeat Western Albemarle this season as they won on Oct. 3 at the site of Saturday's final. Western Albemarle defeated Sherando 3-1 in the other semifinal match.

Loudoun County was led by Juliane Hanna (11 kills, 8 digs, 6 points), Jenna Strange (10 kills, 7 points, 3 blocks), Molly Balwdin (7 kills, 4 blocks), Emily Vandegrift (6 kills, 3 points, 2 digs), Erin Dancy (3 kills), Rachel Arigo (3 kills, 4 digs, 1 block), Robin Marsala (43 assists, 6 digs, 4 points, 2 kills), Hannah Arnold (13 points, 6 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills), Gabby Serafin (17 digs), Kathleen Horvath (6 digs, 5 points, 3 aces), Sammy Dormio (3 digs).

The Raiders improved to 22-3 on the season.