Friday, November 20, 2009
State volleyball preview: Knights, Chargers plan to enjoy the ride
Cave Spring is a regular in the state semifinals, while Bath County is making its first trip.
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The differences between the two Timesland-area volleyball teams playing in the VHSL state semifinals at VCU's Siegel Center today are quite obvious.
Cave Spring (23-3), a perennial Group AA contender is making its sixth semifinal appearance in its last eight seasons -- the team last got this far in 2006. The Knights face two-time defending state champion Loudoun County at 4 p.m.
Then there's Bath County (24-1), which will play in its first-ever against Mathews at 2 p.m. today in the Group A bracket.
Both brackets will play championship games on Saturday.
But regulars and newcomers alike get the same advice from their coaches.
"Enjoy it," Cave Spring coach Tamalyn Tanis said.
"The best thing to do is to enjoy the experience. Teams that stay the most relaxed and play their game have the most success. You need to have a game plan and stick to it. Where you get into trouble is if you allow your opponent to dictate your plan."
Chargers coach Dave McGee agrees.
"When it comes down to it, all that matters is what you do between the boundary lines," he said. "All the extra stuff you have to block out and do what got you to this point. I'm sure we will have an awe moment when we get to the arena but they haven't showed their nervousness in any game yet, so either they are mature enough to control that or the stage hasn't been big enough for them to get nervous."
The Chargers won the Region C crown last Saturday with three-game victories over Auburn and Radford. They defeated John Battle in four games in Tuesday's state quarterfinals to earn a trip to Richmond.
Bath County's powerful duo of Hillary Jessee and Carey Trimble will carry the load for the Chargers.
The seniors have combined for 109 kills in their last three matches giving the team from Hot Springs six rotations with size and power.
"If we can figure out what they do quick enough and then adjust, I think we have a pretty good chance," McGee said. "If we can stop the team's first option and then let's see if they have a second option. A big factor is how we handle ourselves mentally. If we go play our game I feel good about our chances."
Despite Bath County's status as a state semifinal first-timer, the Chargers may be one of the favorites, along with Gate City -- which has won three of the past five state titles.
The same cannot be said for Cave Spring, despite the long resume, as the Knights go in against Loundon County as a long shot.
Cave Spring, which won the championship in 2005 and 2006, beat Lord Botetourt in three games Tuesday. Two of the Knights' three losses this season have come to fellow final four members E.C. Glass and Loudoun County.
Cave Spring, however, is on a 15-game winning streak and playing its best volleyball of the season.
"We are a defensive team," Tanis said. "We are living and dying by our defense, while the other teams have girls over 6-feet tall that can really hit the ball. We are the underdog of the four teams, which is nice for a change."
The defense shows in the dig department, as the Knights top three diggers, Joceyln Kellinger, Lauren Sledd, and Morgan Shannon, have combined for 1,051. Shannon is the team leader in kills with 346, while Taylor Baumann leads in assists with 806.
"[Cave Spring boys basketball coach] Billy Hicks commented to me the other day that our offense is a lot like Princeton's in basketball; it keeps teams off balance," Tanis said.
"That is what we try to do, and that is the way it has always been. And until I start growing 6-footers in Southwest County, that is the way it will be."
No matter what happens though, both teams are going to enjoy the experience.
"We are going to have fun," McGee said.
"When Bath County girls get to go to Richmond, shopping is always on the agenda, so if we win -- we will be at the mall."
