Riverheads locks up Shenandoah

GREENVILLE — Riverheads came into Tuesday’s volleyball match against Luray with a chance to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the Shenandoah District. With an undefeated record in district play, the Gladiators only needed to knock off the one-loss Bulldogs to clinch the top spot in the district.

The Red Pride dominated on all aspects of its game and fed off the emotion of senior night to sweep the Bulldogs in three games 25-22, 25-12, 25-21.

“I have been on this team since my freshman year and we have never really did that good in districts so winning tonight really meant a lot to me,” said senior Kristen Moody. “Luray is a really good team and for us to beat them in three games was huge.”

The four Gladiator seniors, Kelley Tuennermann, Kristen Moody, Tiffany Flesher and Monica Weaver, came out fired up in Game 1. After falling behind early, Riverheads (11-3, 8-0 Shenandoah) responded and took control of the game when they jumped up 18-11 on a kill from Moody.

The Bulldogs were able to make things close and cut the Gladiators’ lead to one at 23-22, but Riverheads’ Tiffany Flesher smacked a kill to give the Gladiators a 24-22 lead and eventually the Game 1 win 25-22.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the team. They played with such emotion and heart,” said Riverheads coach Whitney Dove. “When we played them the first time each game was within two points and it was evenly matched. Tonight I thought our girls came out ready to play and really controlled the match.”

Riverheads controlled Game 2 from top to bottom, jumping out to an 11-3 lead and holding on for a 13-point win 25-12.

Wanting to take the match in three games the Red Pride played with all it had and tried to hold off a surging Bulldog team that was not going to give up. Moody slammed a kill to tie the game at 18-18 and Kayla Baugh nailed a kill to give Riverheads the 20-19 lead, which it would not surrender, taking Game 3 with a 25-21 win.

“We played really aggressive tonight. Normally we try to hit our spots, but today we were hitting hard and hitting down and I think that through [Luray] off a little bit,” Moody added.

Moody had nine points for the Gladiators in the win and Katie Coffey had 14 digs and six kills to lead Riverheads. Kelsie Floyd chipped in with 14 digs of her own and Kayla Baugh added six blocks.

“I think we are playing near the top of our game right now,” Dove said. “We still have work to do, but winning tonight really just makes me proud of this team and all the effort and work they have put into this season.”