Luray can’t catch Gap

Buffalo Gap had won the first two games and was leading 25-24 when an errant Luray block sent the ball spiraling to the bleachers. The Bulldogs' Amelia Green dove and got a hand on it, sending the ball to Lindsey Cummings. Cummings reacted quickly, setting it to Julie Jones who slammed the ball back down over the net knotting the game and giving the Bulldogs another shot to comeback

If the story ended there who knows where the match could have gone. The referee held his hand next to the net and signaled - Jones touched the net, the Bison win. To make matters worse, it was the second time in a row she was whistled for being in the net.

For a fleeting moment Luray thought it had dodged the Bison's 25-21, 25-21, 26-24 sweep only to be crushed by a net violation. The road back to Shenandoah would be long, and there was no use arguing the call.

"They played well," said Luray coach Julie Rothgeb. "It's just sad that it ended on that kind of play."

The Bison were glad to clinch the win and add another positive marker in the Shenandoah District, especially since they allowed the Bulldogs to get back into the match several times and almost gave away Game 3.

Before the Bulldogs began to show life in the final game, Gap had put together an effortless 17-11 lead after Jones hit three spikes out and knocked one in the net. Luray did pull back within three thanks to some key Bison mistakes.

Luray's problems were multiplied with starter Katie Cubbage out due to illness.

"We had to go over a new rotation and I think it threw them off," said Luray coach Julie Rothgep

After so much went wrong, Jones finally got on board and nailed a kill. The point sparked Jones, who towered over all of the Bison hitters and particularly liked to send Courtney Sanderson's spikes back to the other side, blocking her for a point four times. Luray mounted a six-point string, and took a seemingly controlling 24-22 lead.

Now the game came down to mistakes, and after Luray's Amber Turner hit a serve out pulling Gap within one, the Bison's Cassie Deaver was at the line. While some would be nervous knowing that one bad serve would force a Game 4, Deaver was stone cold.

"I was [thinking] I needed to serve good and hit my spots like coach told me," Deaver said. "I'm used to it. I'm comfortable with my serve."

She nailed the first serve and the Bulldogs (9-8, 1-4 Shenandoah) were unable to return, not quite an ace but it was a point. Two Jones net violations later and gap pulled out the district win.

Botkin didn't care how it came she was just glad the match went their way.

"If they are an excellent team you play up to them," Botkin said. "If they're not as good, you play down. I'm just glad they came back - You can't get so frustrated when they comeback."

The Bison (8-7, 3-2 Shenandoah) will be back on the court on Thursday, taking on Page County. Game time is at 6 p.m.

The Luray JV team swept its match, winning 25-19, 25-23.