2022.10.18 Volleyball: Rock Ridge @ Dominion
Sterling, VA (October 18, 2022) - You could look at this matchup between the Rock Ridge Phoenix and the Dominion Titans and say it doesn't really matter. After all, the Phoenix had already sewn up the regular season Dulles District title, and their playoff position was assured. The Titans also had nothing to lose having locked up the second seed for the district tournament.
But Dominion was the only district team to have beaten Rock Ridge--and beaten them soundly, 3-0. If they could repeat that accomplishment then they would have a major confidence edge heading into the postseason.
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 - Dominion 24
The Phoenix opened the set with a quick burst and forced a Dominion timeout leading 8-3. Annika Engen owned the net for the first few points, and then served her team to an initially commanding lead. With Kaitlyn Demitz serving, however, the Titans stormed back to take their first lead, 9-8. The teams traded points until Dominion opened up their biggest lead of the set at 20-17. With Engen back on the service line, Rock Ridge scored seven straight points and were on the verge of taking the first set, 24-21, when Dominion stormed back to tie it at 24-24. But the Phoenix scored the final two points to win the set, 26-24.
Set 2: Rock Ridge 27 - Dominion 25
With Kennedy Seekford serving, the Titans marched out to an early 7-2 lead. Rock Ridge closed the gap to a single point, 14-13, but Dominion was hustling like crazy and expanded their lead to 17-14. Rock Ridge pulled even at 21-21, and after taking the next point forced Dominion into a timeout.
The Titans had game point at 24-23, but the Phoenix would not relent, breaking a 25-25 tie with two points for the win. Sidney Powell, Rock Ridge's high flying outside hitter, was simply relentless, but Dominion showed their true strength is their incredible ability to keep driven balls in play.
Set 3: Rock Ridge 25 - Dominion 15
After winning the first two sets, the Phoenix was hungry to close things out. On the other side of the net, the Titans seemed a bit deflated having come so close but not getting a set win. Trailing quickly 9-3, Dominion cut the margin in half behind strong serving from Demitz. But the Titans could not sustain the momentum and Rock Ridge bolted out to a 19-10 lead. Again Dominion cut into the lead, but could get no closer than six points before finally succumbing to the powerful and creative Rock Ridge offense.
