In the kind of electrifying atmosphere that a state quarter-final match deserved, the Riverheads Lady Gladiators rallied from behind this afternoon for an intense 23-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21 victory over the Middlesex Lady Chargers. RHS will now advance to the state semi-finals, against the winner of the Altavista/Mathews match. There seems to be some confusion over whether Riverheads will get to host that semi-final but I have been told by two administrators (one just this afternoon) that yes, that match will be Tuesday night at Riverheads. Stay tuned for confirmation!
A rowdy Gladiator student section all decked out in their leftover Halloween costumes kept the spirit alive from start to finish and a smaller but no less enthusiastic crowd from the Northern Neck cheered on the visitors. And for the early portions of the match, it looked as if the long road trip was going to be worthwhile for MHS.
In each of the first two sets, they jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, forcing the Big Red to play catch-up. In the first set, RHS did rally late, but could never manage more than a one-point lead as Middlesex took the first one 25-23.
The second set started out with that same 3-0 score but Riverheads rallied a little earlier this time and moved ahead 13-9. The Chargers came back and made a game of it before Riverheads evened the match with their own 25-23 win. At that point absolutely nothing had been settled as they were dead even in sets as well as total points.
However, the third set was all Riverheads as they jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and coasted from there. With a 10-5 lead, they reeled off 11 straight points and although the Chargers momentarily stopped the bleeding, the set was never in doubt.
At that point, with the momentum clearly on the home side, one might have expected an easy clinching win for the Big Red. But to their credit, the Lady Chargers hung in there through most of the fourth set and even had a 20-19 lead down the stretch. But when Riverheads scored three points in a row to take a 22-20 lead, the crowd could sense it, the players fed off of the energy, and the match ended with a soft harmless return into the net right in front of the dude on the ladder. (Referee? umpire? grand poobah? I have already told you guys I don't know the terminology in this sport!!!)
But I do know intensity and excitement when I see it and both teams and their fans brought it today. Anyone who calls volleyball "boring" (and you know who you are) should have seen this one today and they would change their tune. The win had to be about adjustments on the part of RHS Coach Nyssa Stapleton and her team could have panicked after that opening set loss, not to mention a close second set, but they kept their composure and hung in there for the win.
The assumption is that Mathews, the defending state champs, will be Tuesday's opponent, although Altavista is quite capable of giving them a game. Hopefully someone will come on here and give us the scoop on how that one went.
Of course what we would REALLY like to know up this way is just how good Mathews is. We understand that they beat Middlesex four times this season, which might not bode well for Riverheads' chances. But can someone enlighten us as to whether those were close and competitive matches or is it one of those cases where Mathews would beat Middlesex another 50 times if they kept playing? Inquiring minds want to know.
Time now for non-stop college football the rest of the day and thanks again for the early game time today allowing us couch potatoes to sit around and gain a few more pounds. So let's see what JMU, UVa, VT, and Clemson can do on this blustery Saturday!!!
A rowdy Gladiator student section all decked out in their leftover Halloween costumes kept the spirit alive from start to finish and a smaller but no less enthusiastic crowd from the Northern Neck cheered on the visitors. And for the early portions of the match, it looked as if the long road trip was going to be worthwhile for MHS.
In each of the first two sets, they jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, forcing the Big Red to play catch-up. In the first set, RHS did rally late, but could never manage more than a one-point lead as Middlesex took the first one 25-23.
The second set started out with that same 3-0 score but Riverheads rallied a little earlier this time and moved ahead 13-9. The Chargers came back and made a game of it before Riverheads evened the match with their own 25-23 win. At that point absolutely nothing had been settled as they were dead even in sets as well as total points.
However, the third set was all Riverheads as they jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and coasted from there. With a 10-5 lead, they reeled off 11 straight points and although the Chargers momentarily stopped the bleeding, the set was never in doubt.
At that point, with the momentum clearly on the home side, one might have expected an easy clinching win for the Big Red. But to their credit, the Lady Chargers hung in there through most of the fourth set and even had a 20-19 lead down the stretch. But when Riverheads scored three points in a row to take a 22-20 lead, the crowd could sense it, the players fed off of the energy, and the match ended with a soft harmless return into the net right in front of the dude on the ladder. (Referee? umpire? grand poobah? I have already told you guys I don't know the terminology in this sport!!!)
But I do know intensity and excitement when I see it and both teams and their fans brought it today. Anyone who calls volleyball "boring" (and you know who you are) should have seen this one today and they would change their tune. The win had to be about adjustments on the part of RHS Coach Nyssa Stapleton and her team could have panicked after that opening set loss, not to mention a close second set, but they kept their composure and hung in there for the win.
The assumption is that Mathews, the defending state champs, will be Tuesday's opponent, although Altavista is quite capable of giving them a game. Hopefully someone will come on here and give us the scoop on how that one went.
Of course what we would REALLY like to know up this way is just how good Mathews is. We understand that they beat Middlesex four times this season, which might not bode well for Riverheads' chances. But can someone enlighten us as to whether those were close and competitive matches or is it one of those cases where Mathews would beat Middlesex another 50 times if they kept playing? Inquiring minds want to know.
Time now for non-stop college football the rest of the day and thanks again for the early game time today allowing us couch potatoes to sit around and gain a few more pounds. So let's see what JMU, UVa, VT, and Clemson can do on this blustery Saturday!!!
