Thursday, November 12, 2009
Auburn moves on in Region C
The Eagles knock off Northwood and get closer to returning to the state volleyball tourney.
varsity.roanoke.com
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RINER -- Auburn had quite the campaign in 2008.
The volleyball team marched all the way to the state tournament where it was ousted in the semifinals.
The '09 version hopes to take that next step.
On Wednesday, the Eagles got a step closer to a return engagement, as they trounced visiting Northwood 24-26, 25-8, 25-18, 25-19 in the Region C tournament quarterfinals.
Auburn coach Sherry Millirons cited the team's lack of focus in the early stages as to what led to the slow start.
"We've had difficult times this year staying focused," Millirons said. "We lost a lot of confidence, but we rallied back."
Auburn (19-4) has managed to remain successful despite a shortage of experience. This season's team is filled with plenty of new faces. And everyone was getting a little postseason experience Wednesday.
The Eagles spread the ball around and got everyone involved as they regrouped.
"You have to have ball control," said Millirons. "We are very well balanced. I have five players who can hit the ball and hit it hard."
In the first set, it was Northwood that started out hot and put Auburn on its heels.
The Panthers won the first seven points in the first set and seemed to have all the control. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Auburn regrouped and punished them the rest of the way.
Freshman Jordan Watson was sensational, as she has been all year, leading the Eagles with 14 kills and three blocks.
Millirons took note of her stellar freshman's play.
"We lost two all-state players last year," Millirons said. "[Watson] has come in and filled one of the middle positions. She doesn't play like a freshman"
Watson's numerous kills came when Auburn started to play with more focus and intensity.
Once the team was able to set up and play organized, they pounded their opposition on what seemed like every play.
Junior Katie Hudak added 13 kills for Auburn and was pleased with how the team responded from the early deficit.
"We started out pretty down," she said. "But when we started playing and coming together we played a lot better and that's what made us win."
Kerri Altizer had seven kills, and Haley Shepherd had 41 assists for the Eagles.
After a victory that taught them a lot of lessons, the Eagles look to march on when they play against the winner of tonight's Bath County-Fort Chiswell match on Saturday.
"We all know we have big shoes to fill," said Watson, speaking of last year's team.
"We just have to come out and hopefully come home with the state championship."
Galax def. Parry McCluer
25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 25-23
GALAX -- Allison White had 25 kills, five blocks and seven digs as the Maroon Tide (18-4) advanced to Saturday's Region C semifinals.
Jenna White added 21 assists and 10 digs for Galax, while Kristen Osborne had five aces among her 18 service points. Kelsey Reedy had 18 digs. Hailey Camden paced the Fighting Blues (16-6) with 13 kills and eight blocks.
Sarah Harmon had 21 assists and 10 service points.
