Opening match sweep

By Corine Gatti

Published: August 22, 2008

CROZET – Western Albemarle swept Wilson Memorial 3-0 on Thursday night winning 25-21, 25-20 and 25-17.
The Green Hornets opened the first game 1-2 against the Warriors, but the defending 2007 Jefferson District Champs did not give up.
They answered all of Wilson’s leads. Once the Warriors found their momentum against Wilson in the first, they were relentless. The Hornets vied to keep up their attack after falling behind 10-6 in the first games by knotting the score 10-10. The
Hornets tied their rivals again in the second period after falling behind by five points, but Wilson service errors sunk the team
In the third game Western jumped out with a nine-point lead. Wilson senior Kala Guy, who had 12 kills, put the squad on the board for the first time in the third with a kill, but sideouts by the Green Hornets sealed their fate.
“I think we just need to start well and finish well,” Guy said. “We did not win, but we worked hard. I think the team did a good job anyway.”
The Warriors started and finished the job by executing 12 kills, combining four aces and 14 digs to shut down Wilson.
“Playing a non-district game like this, prepares you. I like that type of schedule. It helps you when you play a tough team. We did a good job,” said Wilson coach Kim Claytor. “We have things we need to work on like our focus and not getting upset when we make a bad pass or serve. We are going to work on improving that.”
Despite the scoreboard, Warrior coach Lance Rogers said that it took his team time to warm up.
“It took time. There was just a few points between us when we started,” Rogers said. “We built our momentum and didn’t stop. We played a great game, against a great team. We no longer have to look over our shoulders. We played with more confidence as the game went on, and it showed.”
Minor mistakes will not stop the Hornets.
“We played well during our first two scrimmages. We played well against Western Albemarle, and I’m proud of these girls. This will only make us better,” Claytor said.
Wilson will host Stuarts Draft Tuesday night.
Guy is already looking to the teams second game of the season against the Cougars.
“They are our biggest rivals, so we are going to prepare ourselves for that big match,” Guy said.