Wilson falls in 1st SVD match

FISHERSVILLE — In an emotionally charged match the visiting Fort Defiance Indians got a 3-1 win over the host Hornets 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-14.

Riding some veteran leadership and the powerful hitting of senior captains Becca Houff and Katie Dunsmore the Indians were able to down a learning-on-the-fly Wilson Memorial team playing in their first-ever match in the Southern Valley District.

“We are fortunate to have a group of girls who have played together for a while now and it makes things much easier to have two hitters like Becca and Katie upfront,” said Indians coach Lynn Alexander after the game. “They also provide us with some great leadership on the floor.”

Wilson got out to an early lead behind some good team passing and got a little motivation from coach Kim Claytor who picked up a yellow card while arguing a call.

The Indians used the aforementioned power hitting and leadership to come back from a 19-15 deficit behind the play of Houff and Dunsmore at the net. Back-to-back kills from Houff tied the game at twenty and Dunsmore put the game away with a kill to down the Hornets and 25-22.

In Game 2 Wilson again jumped out to an early lead as Danielle Dove sparked the team with some well-placed serves and Noel Bartley hammered home to kills giving the Hornets a 9-6 lead. 

Fort responded via five service points from Janie Layne as well as kills from Houff and Dunsmore to go on a 5-1 run and take the lead 15-12. That proved to be a turning point in the game as never relinquished the lead and went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Indians got off to a great start in Game 3, jumping out to 6-1 lead fueled by five service points from Houff, but the Hornets would not go quietly. The home team would rally from that five-point hole as well as another when they were down 16-11 to eventually tie the game at twenty.

Four service points from Trisha Bruce and two huge kills from Bartley further energized the crowd and the Hornets would ride that emotion and some solid play to a 26-24 victory leaving Coach Claytor pleased.

“Our effort in that third game is what I have been talking to the girls about. That is the kind of effort we need all the time.”

The improved and inspired play in game three did not, however, translate into a Game 4 victory as the Indians jumped out to a 9-1 lead and never looked back. Houff and Dunsmore dominated the play at the net and some fine serving from Jordan Leake helped give the Indians the win.

The Indians also won the J.V. contest in a two game sweep.