Giants sweep into Region III

FORT DEFIANCE — After being unable to clinch a spot in the Region III tournament on Tuesday, Waynesboro was found an opening thanks to a 25-9, 25-20, 25-17 sweep over the Rockbridge Wildcats in the consolation match of the Southern Valley District Tournament.

“This win was a big confidence boost for our team. We have been really struggling the past few games, and tonight I thought we got over the hump,” said Waynesboro coach Lori Aleshire. “I told the team, ‘we have nothing to lose and you have to go out there and show them you mean business.’ ”

The Little Giants controlled most of the match and Aleshire credited that to her team’s hustle.

“I told the girls that, ‘the team that out hustles the other and makes the least amount of mistakes will win this game,’ ” said Aleshire. “I thought we hustled each and every play and I think it showed.”

The Little Giants took Game 1 with a decisive 25-9 win. Waynesboro jumped up early on an ace from Jolie Dudley and Waynesboro put away the match on back-to-back aces from Rachel Binda.

“I think we really wanted this match. I think we wanted to come out and show that the way we played Tuesday against [Stuarts] Draft was not how we normally play,” Binda said. “It was disappointing that we were not playing in the championship game, but I am glad to be moving onto regionals.”

In Game 2 the Wildcats had the early lead and had control of the game until the Little Giants took control midway through. Binda slammed a kill to give the Little Giants the lead 22-18 and finish out the game with a 25-20 win.

The Little Giants put away the match with a 25-17 win, completing the three game sweep.

“Everyone we had was hustling tonight,” Binda said. “I am really excited to be going to regionals. I am not even going to worry about who we are playing because we control our side of the net.”

Taylor DeWitt had 23 assists for the Little Giants while Rachel Binda chipped in with 13 service points. Binda also added 10 kills and Toya Diggs had 20 digs in the victory.

“Getting out of the district and going onto regionals is always a goal we have had. Our other goal was to make it farther than we did last year,” Aleshire said. “We have completed one of our goals and hopefully we can complete the other.”

Waynesboro will travel to E.C. Glass on Monday night for the first round of the Region III Tournament.