By Eric Avissar
Robinson High School Senior, DigitalSports.com Intern
As the Rams of Robinson and the visiting Bulldogs of Stone Bridge took the court for warm-ups, there were two different mindsets from each team displayed. One was a laid-back, spunky attitude for the hosting Rams, while the Bulldogs adopted for a stoic, business-like approach following the drive from Ashburn to Fairfax.
And after winning the first game by a score of 25-17, it appeared as if the Bulldogs had the match well in-hand. But the Rams stayed focused and energetic throughout, and pulled out the next three games -- and the match -- 17-15, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17.
In the first game, the Rams were guided by the play of sophomore phenom
Susie Murach. Murach was able to establish momentum for the stagnate Rams by clearing the ball over the Bulldogs' front line, and followed the next point with a clean spike to bring the Rams closer to the lead. After an 8-8 tie, the Bulldogs again opened up another lead that led to a 13-8 advantage.
Once Stone Bridge senior
Lily Vera registered an ace to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 15-9 lead, it had appeared as if the Bulldogs would cruise to a first game victory, Robinson junior
Bridget Duffy and senior
Marian Dougherty scored back-to-back spikes to bring it within 15-11.
The comeback, however, proved short-lived as the Bulldogs pulled away for the opening-game win. Daugherty had the misfortune of losing the game by hitting her spike just wide, but shook it off to the rhythm of her own beat, and high-fived her teammates as if it unfazed her.
The second game was a closer affair throughout, dictated by each team's ability to find a multiple point lead in the face of a deadlocked tie. Stone Bridge opened up an early lead after being tied at 3, but Robinson was able to catch up and knot the score at 7. As the game progressed, the tightness of the points played was reflected by the consistent ties and one-point margin leads.
Tied at 18 and again at 20, the Rams finally took control on a Bulldogs' serve that didn't make its way over the net and eventually pulled out a 25-23 victory.
"We were able to change momentum by increasing our energy we played with and missing less serves," Daugherty said. "And I knew we were going to win when I decided it in the huddle."
In the third set, Daugherty again sought to set the tempo for an invigorated squad by blasting a sonic-sounding spike that gave the Rams a 4-3 lead. However, Stone Bridge quickly silenced any efforts to run away with the third game by breaking out to a 8-4 lead on the heels of errors by the opposition that included interfering with the service zone as well as too many hits.
The Bulldogs -- fueled by a more offensive approach -- were able to capitalize into the teens and accumulated a 16-9 lead. Eventually, though, the Rams roared back, winning five consecutive points to rally from a 18-14 deficit to take a one-point lead, 19-18.
Daugherty then gave the Rams a 23-21 lead off a ferocious spike that gave the team both breathing room and the motivation to win the third game.
Although her presence may have been felt most in the first game, Murach was able to make an impact most consistently in the form of a team-high seven digs and 12 kills.
"My hits were a little bit off sometimes tonight, but I passed well, and we clicked as a team tonight," Murach said.
That was most evident in the fourth and final game when the Rams were able to grind out points that were most consistently elongated with blocks, digs and sets that were well-crafted by both sides. The first break of a stalemate came when the Rams took a 13-9 lead, but Stone Bridge closed the gap by capturing shorter points to knot the score at 13.
This time around, it was senior captain
Candice Tussing who spiked the ball unmercifully to give the Rams a 17-13 lead that led to victory.
The Bulldogs were led by senior
Sarah Norton, who netted 13 kills while sophomore
Vanessa Paige added nine. Sophomore
Amanda Miller also keyed the Bulldoga offensive with 37 assists while
Lindsay Gill proved to be productive working the trenches with 18 digs.
The Rams, meanwhile, were led by Tussing's match-high 18 kills and co-captain
Bailey Banks' 38 assists.
"Our seniors played better and better tonight and Susie was able to pass better as well," Robinson Coach
Jill Pearson said. "It was great that we could come out with great energy after dropping the first game. This is a quality win for us because Stone Bridge is a tough regional opponent that makes it far in the regional tournament most years. I don't believe we have ever beaten them before."