Waynesboro rallies to beat JF

FOREST – Never count the Waynesboro volleyball team out.

Jefferson Forest found that out Monday night as the Little Giants came from behind to win in five games in the first round of the Region III tournament against Jefferson Forest. Waynesboro won the contest 9-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21 and 15-12 to advance to the Region III quarterfinals against Lord Botetourt today.

It was an emotional roller coaster for the purple and gold. The Giants were roughed up in Game 1 and fell 9-25 after the Cavaliers went on an eight-point rampage. The team responded with frustration on the court, shaking their heads and losing their focus.

But the Giants had been on the losing side of a game before during the regular-season but had still turned matches in their favor. The Giants took Game 2 by winning 25-22 against solid opposition.

Jefferson Forest’s Jordan Hawkins gave the visitors fits all night with fierce blocking and sharp kills. The Cavaliers were leading 7-4, but after back-and-fourth play and some help from senior Haley Quesenbery, the Giants sealed the game and elevated their confidence.

“I don’t know why, but I think they need a game to warm up,” Giants coach Lori Aleshire said. “They just kept playing and did not give up.”

The Cavaliers took Game 3 with a score of 25-21. The Giants came back to tie it in Game 4 with a 25-21 win, forcing a Game 5.

With the season on the line, Jefferson Forest and the Giants were tied 9-9. A quick rumble from the Giants’ fans echoed the excitement and urgency that both teams’ seasons were up for grabs.

Both squads fought back-and-fourth, but the ball got caught in the net for the Cavaliers and the Giants took a 12-10 lead. Hawkins answered with a tip to make it 12-11. The Giants added three more points to win the match-deciding game 15-12.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” said the Giants’ Taylor DeWitt, who had 10 points and 13 assists. “We didn’t know much about this team, but we just kept on fighting.”

The Giants will play at 7 p.m. today at Lord Botetourt.