Volleyball: Vikes Push to Game 5 but Pride Finish on Top in Cedar Run

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Leesburg (Nov. 4, 2010) - After sweeping Loudoun Valley twice during the regular season in straight sets, the Heritage High School girls volleyball team was pretty confident going into Thursday's AAA Cedar Run District finals against the Vikings.

The underdog Vikings, with nothing to lose, pushed the Pride to the brink before falling in a tremendous championship match against Heritage in five games; 20-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-18, 18-16.

Game one was dictated by Loudoun Valley’s offense, which at one point took a commanding 8-point lead. Valley’s scoring was primarily thanks to junior Abby McIntyre. The Pride pushed hard but couldn’t stop McIntyre and the Vikes, as Valley won 25-20.

Strong words from Heritage’s Coach Carmel Keilty inbetween games must have awakened the Pride, as they rolled through game two, 25-17.

Once again Heritage was challenged in game three, but the Pride got out to a 5-point lead midway through the game. However, the persistent Vikings controlled service in this swing game, once again led by McIntyre, and eventually won 26-24.

Determination was in the eyes of the Pride going into game four. Although the score was close, this game proved to be the turning point of the match with the Pride winning 25-18.

As the stands in the main gym at Heritage roared during game 5, so did the Pride. The most intense game the Pride had played all season had also turned into the most important game they would play as a district title was on the line.

Both teams had leads late in the game, and the score was pushed past the 15 point game winning mark (teams must win by two). In the end Heritage remained undefeated against district opponents, defeating Valley 18-16.

Analysis:
Heritage’s halting of Valley’s upset dreams was offensively piloted by senior Lian Bernett (23 kills, 1 assist), freshman Sydney Busa (9 kills, 8 points, 1 ace), junior Kelsey Hrebenach (15 kills, 13 points, 3 aces), and junior Stephanie Yokoyama (14 points, 50 assists).

Defensively the Pride were led by senior Emma LeMaitre (1 block, 27 digs), Busa (3 assisted blocks, 22 digs), and Bernett (1 solo block, 4 assisted blocks, 20 digs).

Yet, the principle performer in the Pride’s game was junior defensive specialist Lesley Reed. Seeing limited action throughout the regular season Reed stepped up huge for Heritage accumulating 11 digs. That might not sound like a big number, but those 11 digs seemed to all come on important points. The little things, like Reed’s play, in games are what allow the Pride to overcome early deficits and win big matches.

Stats:
Lian Bernett – 23 kills, 1 solo block, 4 assisted blocks, 1 assist, 20 digs
Sydney Busa – 9 kills, 3 assisted blocks, 8 points, 1 ace, 22 digs
Madeline Busa – 4 kills, 4 points, 4 digs
Kelsey Hrebenach – 15 kills, 1 solo block, 3 assisted blocks, 13 points, 3 aces, 8 digs
Emma LeMaitre – 7 kills, 1 block, 8 points, 3 aces, 27 digs
Dariel Montanez – 1 assisted block, 8 digs
Lesley Reed – 1 kill, 11 digs
Rachel Runyan – 3 digs
Stephanie Yokoyama – 14 points, 50 assists, 15 digs

VivaLoudoun is looking for student journalist to cover their high school and favorite teams. Email Dan Sousa dan.sousa@vivaloudoun.com if interested.