2021.10.27 Volleyball: Cedar Run District Championship

South Riding, VA (October 27, 2021) - The Cedar Run District championship match featured two teams who had excellent regular seasons. The Freedom Eagles had the better record (19-2), but the Battlefield Bobcats had an outstanding season at 16-5. Perhaps most importantly, the teams had split their two previous matchups, and to give the Bobcats an extra bit of confidence they had swept the Eagles, 3-0, just a week earlier.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the match.

The first set was a breathtaking exhibit of elite level volleyball. Freedom took the early lead, but Battlefield was the first to twenty, 20-18. And after that no more than a single point separated the two teams as they exchanged the lead multiple times. Battlefield's Hillarie Adams was crushing it for the Bobcats, and Sarah Malinowski was pounding the ball for Freedom. She and setter Kaitlyn Sourinhong, led the way as the Eagles finally broke free to take the set, 32-30.

The second set looked like it was going the same way with both teams taking slight control, but then giving it right back. With the Bobcats leading 24-22, Freedom was forced to call a timeout, and this time it didn't work. Battlefield rallied for the final point and tied the match at 1-1.

With momentum on their side Battlefield took a quick third set lead, 7-0, forcing a Freedom timeout. The strategy failed to work as the Bobcats raced out to a 15-6 lead and, again, the Eagles called timeout. It didn't work this time either and Battlefield won its most decisive set of the match, 25-16, and took the set lead, 2-1.

The championship anticipation on the Bobcat bench and in the visiting stands was palpable, but Freedom was not done and regained their composure and their power game. Trailing 12-6, it was Battlefield that had to call timeout to try to get back in the game. And in almost no time, the Bobcats took the lead at 14-13. Once again the two teams traded the lead back and forth until Battlefield closed out the game and match, 25-22.   

Both teams advance to the regional tournament.

Final Score: Battlefield 3 - Freedom 1