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Highlights from Loudoun Valley's 3-1 victory over Deep Run.
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by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191

Saturdays are usually reserved for parties, movies, malls, trips and the like for high-school students.

But for elite girls volleyball teams in Virginia, it's turning into a date with an out-of-town power.

It happened again Saturday afternoon as Loudoun Valley rudely visited Deep Run, topping the Wildcats 3-1.

"We like taking trips," LV's Morgan Clark said. "Especially when we win.

"We made it for the first time to states last year. We want to go back because we've see how that feels."

Don't count Laird Johnson's team out this season. They are experienced with six returning seniors, five starters.

After splitting the first two games, the Vikings took the final two 25-21 and 25-17 behind a balanced attack.

To beat this team everyone needs to be accounted for. The Vikings are sharp, intense, have fun and have great size on the front line.

"They had a great middle blocker in [U.Va.-bound Mallory Woolridge]," Clark said. "So she blocked us outside, we moved it back. Right side, Meredith [Bland] gets a kill, then we go middle she gets a kill, then we go back row and they get a kill.

"So it's just really great. Our setters use our hitters really well."

That sounds like Deep Run volleyball, but Terra Balla's team is talented, but inexperienced.

Woolridge had a good day (eight kills, nine blocks), but LV obviously keyed on her, forcing other Wildcats to do damage.

Chaney LaReau is at libero while her knee readies for outside-hitter duties, and Ashley Dintaman has stepped in at setter with Suzy Rosser providing size, but is also nursing a knee injury.

Deep Run had a tough time getting any offense going as its passing and defense suffered at times as the Vikings staged rallies, like a 7-0 spurt in the fourth game that gave LV a 20-11 advantage.

"We get right back in it and we give up four points," Balla said. "We get right back in it, and we give up five points. That's the sign of a young team."

Loudoun Valley 25 15 25 25
Deep Run        14 25 21 17