Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511210027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: REA FARMER LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium
Mills Godwin finished second to C.D. Hylton in the state girls' volleyball tournament the past two years. In the end, the third time proved to be the charm for the hard-hitting Eagles, who defeated Patrick Henry 15-13, 15-9 to win their first state title.
Patrick Henry (20-3) entered the tournament with a reputation for keeping the ball off the floor. The digging defense compensated for a lineup that included six strong players, but no single heavy hitter.
In the semifinal matchup, the Patriots smoked Eastern Region runner-up Indian River 15-13, 15-2. They carried the momentum into Saturday's championship game at Tallwood High in Virginia Beach.
Although the Patriots struggled at times, they kept the offensive threats of Mills Godwin at bay and forced the Eagles to maintain a defensive stance throughout most of the match.
``We didn't play our best match, but I was very pleased with the effort of all the girls,'' Patrick Henry coach Marty Swan said. ``None of the girls had any experience at this level. I'm very proud of the way they played all season.''
Swan added that his team did not play the pounding offensive-type matchup that has highlighted most of the regional and state tournament matches.
``We have five or six players who all do their job well,'' Swan said. ``I recognize everybody for their effort.''
Patrick Henry kept things close throughout the match. Each time Mills Godwin (20-0) tried to get on a roll, a crucial block or dig would force a side-out.
``I thought Godwin played as aggressively as they have all year,'' Mills Godwin coach Tracie Weston said. ``I thought Patrick Henry did an excellent job. They are the best defensive team we've faced all year. It was scary to think we might go home second best again.''
Mills Godwin's state playoff experience showed in the opening moments as the Eagles slowly pieced together a 7-0 lead. However, with team captain Kris Carter serving, the Patriots settled into their game. She aced a serve and three Mills Godwin hits went into the net or sailed long.
The Eagles regained service and pushed the gap back to 11-4, but Patrick Henry's defense held the margin. After several side-outs, Sarah Mercer aced a serve and an Eagle kill attempt went long to put the Patriots within five at 11-6.
The Patriots' Stephanie Ellison served four straight, scoring on three, including a Rebecca Hogan kill and a Carter block to pull the Patriots to 11-9.
Patrick Henry took control, forcing the Eagles to scramble defensively and return free hits instead of setting up plays during the next series. Carter and Kinsey Holder had back-to-back kills, Carter again slammed a block back and Hogan aced a serve to tie the game at 13-all.
Three sideouts later, Laura Marcuson armed back-to-back kills to seal the Eagles' first-game win.
In the second game, the Eagles again went up early, posting a 7-2 lead before the Patriots battled into an 8-8 tie. However, the Patriots were unable to control Marcuson and Samantha Kim's pounding attack.
Marcuson tallied 20 kills in the game for a tournament total of 41. Kim added 10 kills and Amy Fisher had eight.
Patrick Henry was paced by Mercer with 17 digs. Hogan had eight digs and five kills, Allison Suggs had 13 assists, Carter had three blocks and Stephanie Ellison had seven digs.
by CNB