Volleyball: Drive for Five - Raiders Clinch 5th Straight Dulles District Regular-Season Title

Ashburn (Oct. 22, 2010) - The Loudoun County High School volleyball team swept second-place Broad Run Thursday night to wrap up the Raiders fifth consecutive Dulles District regular-season title.

The three-time defending AA state champions are now 17-1 on the season and a perfect 14-0 in district after the 25-23, 25-21, 25-19 victory.

While the Spartans (11-6 overall, 11-3 in district) were in each of the three games, it was County making the adjustments to secure victory each time.

"I am proud of some of the brilliant moments my girls had!," said Broad Run coach Betsy Scudder who felt like her team actually played the Raiders closer Thursday than when they lost to County in four games earlier in the year in Leesburg.

County's five-year run at the top of the district started when the current team was in middle school and this year's squad is perhaps the Raiders youngest during the stretch.

"We know we are held to higher expectations so I guess that makes us work that much harder. It's our team's turn to try and outplay everyone," said junior Libero Gabby Serafin.

Despite injuries to senior outside hitter Rachel Arigo, junior rightside hitter Danielle Cullen and 6-foot-1 sophomore middle hitter Rachel Roberts -- only Roberts, out with a concussion these past two weeks, is expected back this season -- the Raiders had enough depth to have six players register five or more kills in the win.

The balance attack included senior Sammy Dormio (7 kills, 6 points, 5 digs, 2 aces, 1 block), junior Jenna Strange (6 kills, 13 points, 6 digs, 4 blocks, 2 aces), sophomore Taylor Huewe (6 kills, 4 blocks), junior Katrina Kirby (5 kills, 6 blocks, 2 digs), freshman Maggie Phillips (5 kills, 4 digs, 1 block), and senior Rachel Harrison (5 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks).

"This team was a bit younger in experience than the past teams at the start of the season. They have been working on their consistency," said Loudoun County coach Jenica Mathias.

Supporting the hitters up front for County on Thursday were senior Colleen Bowlds (18 assists, 9 points, 4 digs, 2 aces, 1 kill), junior Jordan Leiter (8 assists, 8 points, 5 digs, 3 aces, 1 kill), senior Kathleen Horvath (11 digs, 4 points, 1 ace), and Serafin (9 digs, 2 points).

Broad Run was led by junior Mallory Brickerd and senior Emily Sears, who combined for 22 kills, while senior Jess Feddersen added five. Brickerd had six digs and Sears five with senior Melissa Miles adding four. Junior Hannah Waller led the Spartan block with three while Sears, sophomore Amanda Swanson and sophomore Molly Maloney each had two.

The JV Raiders also continued their winning ways with a sweep over the Spartans 25-16, 25-14 to improve to 15-0 on the season. The Freshmen Raiders were once again dominant as they swept Broad Run 25-9, 25-8 to improve to 17-0 on the season.

The Raiders hit the road as they travel to Dominion on Tuesday to face the Titans for a Dig Pink volleyball match to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. Thursday's game at Broad Run was a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Spartans host Freedom Tuesday in a battle for the No. 2 seed in the district.

Stat Attack: Since 2006 the Raiders are an amazing 126-8 as a program and have made four consecutive trips to the AA state finals, winning the last three!

Loudoun County has now claimed four of nine district titles handed out this fall.

2010 Dulles District Champions
Golf: Regular Season - Loudoun County
Golf: Tournament - Loudoun County
Cheer: Regular Season - Briar Woods
Cheer: Meet - Briar Woods
Boys XC Regular Season - Loudoun County
Boys XC Meet - Potomac Falls
Girls XC Regular Season - Potomac Falls
Girls XC Meet - Freedom
Volleyball Regular Season - Loudoun County
Volleyball Tournament -
Football Regular Season -