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Stonewall Jackson head volleyball coach Matt Heyman and seniors Amy Kalajainen and Kat Nesheim talk about their win over Osbourn. Click the videos tab to view more videos from the event.
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By Paul Frommelt 
Content Manager, Prince William County
pfrommelt@digitalsports.com

It’s safe to say that last season was a painful one for the Stonewall Jackson volleyball team – mentally and physically. Plagued with injuries to starters Kulwant Kaur,Amy Kalajainen and Brittany Bobbitt – the Raiders finished 8-12 overall and 5-9 in the district. 

“We were really coming together when Amy and Kulwant got hurt,” said Stonewall Jackson head volleyball coach Matt Heyman before the season. 

The season was especially tough on Kalajainen, who watched the Raiders fall in all six games that she was sidelined.  

“Amy takes a lot of that to heart,” said Heyman, whose team lost Kaur and Bobbitt to graduation this year.  

“That was very tough. It was hard for me,” said Kalajainen. “Especially when things didn’t go the way that we planned.”

On Tuesday night, Stonewall proved that a healthy Raider squad is a dangerous Raider squad as they swept AAA Cedar Run District rival Osbourn, 3-0. Kalajainen was right in the middle of the Raiders’ victory, recording six kills, five blocks and seven digs. 

“The girls did a good job,” said Heyman. “We came out and did what we had to do. Osbourn played tough, but we were good enough to beat them today.” 

Senior outside hitter Katherine Nesheim matched Kalajainen with six kills and added two aces and two blocks. Senior outside hitter Brittney Orsborn led the team with nine kills and added two aces and seven digs. 

The victory gave the Raiders’ their eighth win of the year, matching their total for the entire 2007 season. The Raiders’ also earned their fifth district victory, matching the total from last year as well. A big reason for the Raiders’ success this year, obviously, has been their health. All five of the Raiders’ returning starters, including Kalajainen, Nesheim and Orsborn have not lost any significant time due to injury. 

“We have stayed healthy – knock on wood,” said Heyman with a smile.