Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Salem remains perfect in River Ridge loop
The Spartans rally from 14-13 down in the deciding set for a five-set victory over the Titans.
SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times
Salem's Kayla Paxton attempts a kill on Hidden Valley during Tuesday night's game at Salem. The Spartans barely bested the Titans in five sets. Paxton finishes with 13 kills in the five-set match.
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Salem needs two more victories to clinch the River Ridge District regular-season volleyball title.
Spartans senior Rachel Turk doesn't want to hear it.
"We don't want to just win two," Turk said. "We want to go undefeated in the district. That's our goal."
Salem left its home court with that goal still attainable -- barely. The Spartans (16-1, 7-0) took a big step toward claiming the River Ridge crown Tuesday night with a 25-23, 12-25, 25-23, 23-25, 16-14 victory over Hidden Valley.
The Titans (13-3, 4-3) needed a win to keep their realistic hopes for at least a piece of the district title alive. The visitors nearly got it, storming from a 23-20 deficit to win Game 4 and holding a match point at 14-13 in Game 5.
Following a familiar script, Salem refused to lose.
"We've played four fifth games this season and we've been behind in every one that we've played," Turk said. "When we played them it was 14-14 last time. When we played Cave Spring it was 14-11 and we came back to win. I guess we're used to the pressure."
Salem led 11-6 in the final game before Hidden Valley's Sarah Church -- who led all players with 18 kills -- put the Titans ahead 14-13.
Hidden Valley seemed poised to reverse its 3-2 loss to the Spartans at home on Sept. 25, but senior outside hitter Kayla Paxton cranked a kill to tie the game, then Turk backhanded a shot into an open spot on the Titans' side after a diving dig by a teammate.
"I was just hoping it would go over," Turk said.
With Salem at match point, Turk then set up Paxton for another smash, her 13th. It was a strong finish for Paxton, who also broke a 23-all tie in Game 3 with a kill after missing some earlier chances.
"We just weren't connecting," said Turk, who finished with 44 assists. "It was partially my sets. The timing wasn't there. The main thing in volleyball is timing. The pass, set and kill have to be perfect."
Kelsey Bradshaw led Salem with 15 kills, while Paxton had 13 and Emily Richardson had 12. Turk had three aces, while Paxton finished with 23 digs. Eva Delaney led Hidden Valley with 34 assists, while Jessica Church had 16 digs.
Hidden Valley played the match short-handed. Junior standout Samantha Ringer was on crutches after suffering a knee injury Thursday in a 3-0 loss to Cave Spring that included a 35-33 game, while middle blocker Kathryn Reichel was out with an illness.
Titans coach Carla Poff said no official determination has been made on whether Ringer will be able to play again this year.
"She got her MRI," Poff said. "We haven't gotten the results."
Poff was hit with a yellow card with Hidden Valley leading 13-12 in the final game. Church had just put the Titans ahead with a kill when the head referee flashed the yellow at Poff, who had been on her feet during the point. A second violation would have resulted in a point penalty.
" I have no idea," Poff said of the reason for the yellow. "I don't get it how the whole [Salem] bench can stand up and cheer. I get up and cheer for my team and I get a yellow card."
Salem coach David Turk praised Hidden Valley for its undermanned effort.
"They're an outstanding team," he said. "That was an incredible effort on their part. We took momentum away, made a couple of big plays and walked away with a win instead of a loss."
