Volleyball: 3-Time Defending State Champion Loudoun County Opens with Win Over Briar Woods

By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Leesburg (Sept. 1, 2010) - Over the years the names and faces have changed within the Loudoun County High School volleyball program, but the winning remains as the three-time defending AA state champion Raiders opened their 2010 season Tuesday with a Dulles District sweep over Briar Woods before a large early-season crowd.

The 25-21, 25-13, 25-11 victory handed Briar Woods (1-2) its first loss of the year and despite graduating five starters in the 10-player rotating line-up including Juliane Hanna, the Virginia State Player of the Year, the Raiders put enough talent on the court to back a fifth consecutive run to the AA state title game.

After falling in the state finals in 2006 -- when the current seniors on the team were still in middle school -- the Raiders have since captured three straight state champions, running up a 82-4 record in the process.


"I think we all kind of hold ourselves very accountable. We all know what we have to live up to," said senior Libero Kathleen Horvath. "We see the (state title) pictures every day and we remember all the girls that were on those teams. We are really enthusiastic to come in and deliver again."

Horvath (12 digs, 5 points in match) is one of five seniors on the squad this senior along with setter Colleen Bowlds (23 assists, 11 points), outside hitter/defensive specialist Sammy Dormio (2 points), and outside hitters Rachel Harrison (2 kills, 1 block) and Rachel Arigo (9 kills, 4 points, 3 digs).

Even though school is a week away from starting in Loudoun, the two teams were met by a large crowd Tuesday.

"That was exciting because it is still summer I didn't expect a ton of people to show up," said Bowlds.

The late-season atmosphere in August took County coach Jenica Matthias by surprise as well.

"I was surprised by the crowd, I was actually excited because it gets the girls excited too," said Matthias.

Briar Woods came in looking to challenge Loudoun County which last year lost a little of its grip on the Dulles District with two losses to Broad Run but the Falcons, after starting out strong, falter as the evening wore on.

"We have a ways to go," said Briar Woods coach Diane Breinig. "This was a big game to open the district and I think the girls were a little nervous."

The Falcons were battling some injuries but they couldn't get any offensive help for freshman middle hitter Keandra McCardell who led the team with five kills and four blocks. Briar Woods' defense was led Colleen Gough and Chelsea Kaser. Senior Natalie Deffer looks to be a big part of the Falcons offense this year as well.

The first set was tied at 11-11 when the Raiders starting pulling away with junior Jenna Strange (8 kills, 9 digs, 6 points, 3 aces) serving. The 6-footer is looking to have a breakout year in volleyball such as she did on the basketball court last season. Strange in her first two years at County has collected three state titles (two in volleyball and one in basketball).

Trailing 24-18, Briar Woods fought back but at 24-21, Raider sophomore Taylor Huewe (9 kills, 1 block) put away a kill to end the set.

In the second set, County jumped up quickly 10-4 and it was more of the same in the third set as the Raiders sprinted out to a commanding 9-2 advantage.

For an early-season match, County showed good chemistry on the court.

"We have been really working on the communicaton and the chemistry ... those are two big things we have been working on. They did play well and connected well tonight," said Matthias.

Also for County in the match: 6-foot-1 sophomore Rachel Roberts (6 kills, 5 blocks), 6-foot-1 junior Katrina Kirby (4 kills, 2 blocks), junior DS Gabby Serafin (4 digs, 7 points), junior setter Jordan Leiter (5 assists, 6 points, 3 aces), and sophomore setter Megan Fox (5 assists, 3 points).

The Raiders JV and Freshmen teams also swept Briar Woods. The County JV won 2-0 (25-15, 25-15), while the Raider freshmen won 2-0 (25-23, 25-18).

Loudoun County returns to action this Thursday as they travel to Park View and Briar Woods plays hosts to Dominion.

More Jenica Matthias interview