Girls capture Fredericksburg Volleyball title

 Led by all tournament first team selectees, senior Lauren Monroe and junior Margaret Coyle, the Cardinals rallied from the fifth seed in the championship bracket to win the Fredericksburg Christian Academy's volleyball tournament held in Fredericksburg on Saturday.  After dropping their opening match to the Seton School of Manassas, Ireton rallied to win four straight, including a payback win over Seton in the semifinals.

"It was a total team effort, the girls really played some of their best volleyball so far." commented head coach Kathy Gutmann.  After bouncing Model School following the loss to Seton, Ireton earned a 5th seed in the championship, squaring off with Portsmouth Christian.   Courtney Connaughton's 4 aces, Allie Swiger's 12 kills and 2 blocks led Ireton in the win. Monroe added 7 kills as the Alexandria school found its groove.  Alicia Sobral, a junior, delivered 3 aces and four kills, Coyle added a pair while Lauren Monroe contributed 9 big kills and Swiger five to carry the Cardinals past Seton in the rematch, sending the hot redbirds into the title game with Greenbrier Christian of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Allie Swiger was devastating with 6 aces in the championship contest as Monroe added 7 more kills and Connaughton 3 in the win. Margaret Coyle had a pair of blocks in the championship.  It was the first championship in more than two years for the Cardinals who have little time to savor the victory as they take to the road to visit the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington on Monday. JV, currently 6-0 on the season, open the action at 4pm and the varsity match will follow approximately 6pm.