Lady Chargers top W&L, Lancaster wins in sweep
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| CLICK for large version. The 2012 Middlesex High School varsity volleyball team includes, from left, (front row) captains Jordan Walton and Brittin Payne; (middle row) Beth Eanes, Morgan Blake, Lauren Bleeker, Angel Abbott, Sarah Ann Goodrich and Chelsea Hall; (back row) assistant coach Irene Hannan, Brooke Rowe, Carlee Browder, Mollie Ballantyne, Madison Thomas, Shelby Lewter, Erika Britton and head coach Jennifer Harrow. |
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| CLICK for large version. The 2012 Middlesex High School JV volleyball team includes, from left, (front row) co-captains Maggie Bull and Dana Hunter; (middle row) Olivia Major, Meghan Shores, Avis Keeling, Lauren Shores, Abigail Foster and Austen-Taylor Dozier; (back row) coach Jessica Morris, Rachael Howard, Hailey Walton, Maddie Norwood, Tambria Wake and managers Jasmine Faucett and Miranda Kimble. (Photos by Tom Chillemi) |
by Tom Chillemi
The Middlesex High varsity volleyball team split a pair of non-district games last week, defeating Washington and Lee (W&L) and losing to Lancaster.
On September 6, Middlesex won at W&L in three games, 25-15, 26-24 and 25-13.
“We finally came together and stayed together both offensively and defensively,” said Lady Charger head coach Jennifer Harrow. “Brittin Payne brought an energy to the court and team that kept them going through all of the games.” Payne had 6 kills, 6 digs, and a solo block.
Jordan Walton and Erika Britton “did a great job of getting their sets out to their hitters,” said Harrow. Walton had 8 aces, 7 kills, 15 assists and 6 digs. Britton added 5 assists and a dig.
Sarah Ann Goodrich “had a strong, consistent night of hitting” with 8 kills, 2 assists and 2 digs. Angel Abbott “took command of the back row,” recording 9 digs, said Harrow. “Even our bench played a strong roll in keeping the team motivated.”
Also for Middlesex, Madison had 6 aces, 3 kills, 3 digs, 1 double block; Chelsea Hall, 1 kill, 1 assist, 2 digs; Mollie Ballantyne, 3 kills, 1 assist, 1 double block; and Brooke Rowe, 2 kills, 1 dig, 1 solo block.
Visiting Lancaster swept Middlesex in three games, 26-24, 25-20 and 25-19 on September 4.
Middlesex came out strong in the first game and had Lancaster at game point with a good lead and “then gave them the game,” said Harrow.
“There were still just too many inconsistencies,” she said. “We have a great practice and then fail to perform together in a game.”
Harrow said the defense is “coming around. We just need more confidence.”
Chelsea Hall, with 2 kills, and Madison Thomas “both played a strong offensive game,” said Harrow. Thomas recorded 4 aces, 4 kills and a double block.
“Angel Abbott played so well defensively that I decided to make her our libero this year,” Harrow said. Abbott had 1 kill and 3 digs.
Also for Middlesex, Jordan Walton, 6 aces, 6 kills, 6 assists, 2 digs; Erica Britton, 1 kill, 6 assists; Payne, 3 aces, 2 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs; Mollie Ballantyne, 3 aces, 4 kills, 1 assist, 1 double block; Shelby Lewter, 3 aces, 2 kills, 1 dig; Sarah Ann Goodrich, 1 assist; and Morgan Blake, 1 ace.
The Lady Chargers were at Essex earlier this week and visit Lancaster on Tuesday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m.
