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Raiders receive special Halloween treat
Loudoun County may have been tricked in the first game of a one-match playoff with Broad Run on Halloween Day at Briar Woods High School.
But the two-time defending AA state champion Raiders responded to provide their fans a treat – winning the next three games to collect a 21-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25-21 victory Oct. 31.
The Raiders forced the playoff match after defeating the Spartans in similar fashion Oct. 29.
Both teams shared the Dulles District regular-season championship with County securing an automatic berth into the Region II tournament and the top seed in the Dulles tourney following Saturday's win.
"Our goal at the beginning of the year was to try to repeat," Raider coach Jarod Brown said. "We knew we had to take it step by step. We had to take care of the district first -- fortunately, we were able do that."
The Raiders (18-2) received big efforts from several players Saturday. Juliane Hanna (16 kills), Molly Baldwin (12) and Erin Dancy (12) combined for 40 kills.
Baldwin, a senior, has been a big addition to County's roster after transferring from Middleburg Academy.
"She does a great job of keeping everybody relaxed but also keeping everyone focused," Brown said. "She is new to our varsity program but she has a lot of volleyball experience."
Robin Marsala set up County's big hitters with 45 assists. Gabby Serafin, Kathleen Horvath and Hannah Arnold each recorded double-digit digs.
"We have a lot of balanced players who can really step up at different times," Brown said. "It seems like different girls are playing great and the others are filling in the holes."
Broad Run won the first of three meetings with the Raiders Oct. 5 on the way to earning a share of the Dulles title, the program's first district crown since 1991.
The Spartans (14-6) can still qualify for the Region II tournament through the Dulles tourney, which began Nov. 3 and continues through the Nov. 7 final.
The district tournament champion -- or the runner-up should County win -- receives the second Dulles berth into regionals.
The Raiders will play for pride at the Dulles tourney as they are already locked in to host a regional quarterfinal round match Nov. 10.
County is two region victories away from returning to the state playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.
"We have a big bull's-eye on our back," Brown noted. "But we are willing to accept every challenge that comes at us. We've had a pretty good look at most teams in this area and we feel confident that if we come to play, we have a good chance."
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