Weren’t supposed to win

FISHERSVILLE
They weren't supposed to win the Shenandoah District.
No, really, they weren't supposed to win. Not really impossible, but no respectable betting man would have put money on it.
It's no secret that the Green Hornets lost seven seniors last year or that they only have one senior on the team this year (and its her first year playing). Wilson should have been the dog meat of the district, but by hook or by crook they got the trophy.
"Surprised a whole lot of people didn't we-" smirked Wilson coach Kim Claytor.
They could have fallen back on the classic excuse, "it's just a rebuilding year", or the new trend "a reloading season" and no one would have doubted them but they played to win anyway.
"It feels really good," laughed Kala Guy, who's sister Candice was one of the seniors who graduated last year. "We definitely lost a lot of seniors last year. We weren't really expecting it, we thought it would be a reloading year but we stepped up."
At the start of the season Claytor's voice said it all when she riddled off stats after games with a frustration filled mumble, but that didn't last long.
"There were a couple of times when they shouldn't have lost and they just couldn't close it out," Claytor said.
The young Hornets carved out their own niche and created a different image. New catch phrases and costumes lined the gym.
Monday nights' win capped off their surprise of season, when Kala Guy slammed down the final point and Claytor jumped off the edge of her seat.
"I was dreaming and hoping and I knew we could do it but I also know we are a young team," Guy said.
So what changed-
"Their confidence level jumped because they proved they could play ball," Claytor said.
And how about that win over Stuarts Draft- Wilson is the only team to beat the Southern Valley champs this year.
"We are proud to be the only ones to say we beat them," Claytor said.  "A little 'ole single A team from over here."
Oh, and don't forget that win over Waynesboro.
What might be even scarier is the whole team is going to be back next season and they are only getting better.
The hard-hitting style of Guy.
The killer server Christine Coffield.
Another power hitter in Noël Bartley.
And don't forget the coach who sits so far on the edge of her seat it looks like she is hovering.
"Its good work ethic," Claytor said. "They conditioned and trained and played [Junior Olympics], they did all the stuff."
Now the young Hornets have to face another daunting task - the Shenandoah tournament where anything could happen.
Luckily for Wilson all they are really playing for is a shiny piece of hardware, but they really want that shiny piece of hardware.
"It's awesome when you win both trophies, but it's not going to be easy," Claytor said. "We can go down there and get beat out."
The Region B tournament is what really matters, and last year it proved too much of a task for even an arsenal of seven seniors. The Hornets are back into the same situation as they were when they started the season, they're not supposed to win, but as we have seen they don't really care what they are supposed to do.