2022.10.13 Volleyball: Rock Ridge @ Loudoun County
Leesburg, VA (October 13, 2022) - After dropping consecutive matches to Dominion and Loudoun Valley--on the previous two nights--the Loudoun County Captains faced perhaps their toughest test, a late-season rematch with the Rock Ridge Phoenix.
Hoping to stabilize their position for the upcoming post-season, the Captains looked to prevent the Phoenix from cementing their own grip on first place in the Dulles District. Outright ownership of the top spot was within Rock Ridge's grasp, but perennial champions like Loudoun County are not going to make it easy for anyone.
Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.
Set 1: Rock Ridge 26 - Loudoun County 24
Rock Ridge took the early advantage, but Loudoun County battled back to tie it at 10-10. The teams traded points, and the Captains took their first lead of the night, 15-14. But a couple big hits from McKenna Sutherland put the Phoenix back in front, 17-15. Building their lead to 20-16, behind service from Sutherland, it looked like Rock Ridge was in command. Battling back again, Sydney Howard's dink put County up 24-23 and the Captains were serving for the set win. But a three-point surge from the Phoenix captured the set.
Set 2: Rock Ridge 25 - Loudoun County 14
The second set was tight up to 4-4. But again with Sutherland on the service line the Phoenix vaulted to a 12-4 lead. With Rock Ridge's power game in full effect, led by Sidney Powell, County was forced into a timeout trailing 17-9. Despite Captain Alayna Johnson's all out hustle and incredible digs virtually willing her team back into the set, County was simply no match for Rock Ridge's perfect sets from Ankita Kamath and punishing finishes from Grace Tucker and Annika Engen.
Set 3: Rock Ridge 25 - Loudoun County 21
The Captains finally found their mojo and forced Rock Ridge into a timeout leading 7-4. For the first time all night, Loudoun County employed the all out hustling, diving, clawing team effort that is the mark of a champion. Howard was the catalyst for the Captains, but the Phoenix gradually got back in it and tied the set at 15-15. Trailing 22-21, County had the serve, but was unable to score again as Rock Ridge went on to win.
