Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411040122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
That may be true, but the results remain the same.
Franklin County won the Roanoke Valley District tournament championship and remained unbeaten with a three-set thriller, 12-15, 15-4, 15-12 over PH on Thursday night.
The Eagles (21-0) will play host to the No.2 team from the Western District in a Northwest Region match next week at a time to be determined. The Patriots (10-5), the Roanoke Valley District's No.2 team, will play at the Western District's No.1 team at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
After splitting the first two games, the two teams were deadlocked at 12 in the final set when Wilson stepped up her game. Patrick Henry was serving for the lead when the Franklin County senior came up with a big kill at the net to give her team the ball back.
``The net play was the difference,'' said Penny Williams, the Patriots' coach. ``They had too many weapons.''
Franklin County, which never trailed in the third game despite two ties, took a 14-12 lead thanks to the serve of senior setter Tanya Jones and a net violation by Patrick Henry.
After Wilson and the Patriots' Kristi Alger exchanged good defensive plays at the net, Franklin County put away the match on a good serve by Nikki Tweedle that the visitors could not keep in play.
``I don't think anything was going to stop this team - short of a natural disaster,'' Castillo said. ``Our two middle hitters, Susan [Wilson] and LaTonya [Witcher] dominated at the net.''
Castillo, the district's coach of the year, said this was the type of match her team needed to prepare for the regionals.
``Patrick Henry is always good,'' she said. ``Every time we play Patrick Henry, it's the toughest match of the year.''
The Patriots fought valiantly and rallied from deficits of 8-3 and 12-7 in the final game to put themselves in position to win.
Wilson, who was named the district's Player of the Year during postgame ceremonies, said she felt she needed to take over in the deciding game - particularly at the net.
To her, losing the first game was a blessing for the Eagles.
``That's what we needed to get us playing together,'' she said. ``We wanted it.''
The jump-serving of all-district performer Sarah Meyer was crucial in Franklin County tying the match at one game apiece. Meyer accounted for nine of her team's 15 points, including three aces.
``It [the jump serve] was tough for us to handle,'' Williams said.
Meyer said her adrenaline was pumping and she was able to get into a serving rhythm.
For a team not known as a district volleyball power, Castillo said Meyer helped the Eagles send a message in the second game.
``If we had any skeptics as to whether or not this team was real, I think we silenced them,'' said the Eagles' coach.
The opening game featured six ties and six lead changes before PH scored the last five points to take an one-game lead.
``Both teams' serving was excellent,'' Williams said. ``For high school, I thought it was a very well-played match.''
by CNB