VOLLEYBALL: Waynesboro sweeps H’burg in opener

One match does not make a season, but it can provide some clues as to what lies ahead for a team. After sweeping the Harrsionburg Blue Streaks 25-9, 25-15, 25-15 to open the season, the Waynesboro Little Giants let the Valley know that they need to be figured in the championship landscape.

Led by Rachel Binda’s over-powering play at the net and Toya Diggs’ blue-collar work ethic on the floor, the Giants cruised to three easy victories leaving head coach Lori Aleshire pleased.

“I am real proud of the way the girls played tonight. This is our third year together and it is beginning to show,” said Aleshire. “The girls enjoy playing with each other and are ready to take that next step together.”

Binda, the reigning Valley District Player of the Year, started this season where she left off dominating the play up front and finishing with a match-high 15 kills.

“I was really happy with the way our team played. Last year we started off slow, but we seem to be somewhat gelled already,” said Binda. “I’m just really happy with the way we talked to each other and the way we started the season.”

Toya Diggs showed why she is the perfect counterpart to the attack-minded Binda accumulating 18 digs while controlling the match behind the service line with 20 points. That fact was evident to Binda as well.

“She is our best defensive player and she definitely stands out by the way she plays,” said Binda. “I love the way she plays. She is always hustling all over the floor.”

Aleshire noted how things are made simpler by having two players like Binda and Diggs.

“They are both once-in-a-lifetime players and they will leave their mark here,” said Aleshire.

The Little Giants set the tone for the night early in the first game behind the serving of Diggs and the hard-hitting of Binda. Shayla Jackson aided Binda in controlling the net all night.

In Game 2 Binda began to put her personal stamp on the match recording six of her kills and Taylor DeWitt helped the cause with two aces early in the game.

Game 3 was more of the same as setter DeWitt repeatedly found Binda near the net for kills and the Blue Streaks continued to have no answer for her.

The Little Giants also swept the JV match in two games 25-15, 25-15. Abby Honbarrier led the team with 10 service points and Jessica Kanney added seven.