Millbrook Hands James Wood First Volleyball Loss

Posted: October 7, 2016
By JOSH DORSEY
Special to The Star

By Josh Dorsey

Special to The Star

WINCHESTER — Millbrook had its perfect season end in its opening match. But since that loss to Riverside, the Pioneers have been unbeatable.

Before a raucous road crowd on "Dig Pink Night" on Thursday, the Pioneers ended James Wood’s quest for perfection. Millbrook captured its 13th straight victory, sweeping past the previously unbeaten Colonels 25-11, 25-23, 25-18.

"It was really huge for us," said Millbrook senior middle hitter Emily Cleveland after the Pioneers improved to 13-1 overall, 2-0 in Conference 21 West and 4-0 in the Northwestern District. "When we were coming in we had to give it all we had. We had to play like we know how to play. Playing a team like James Wood that was undefeated it was hard. But we came together as a team and did the best we could. Being on a big win streak like our season is now makes us feel a lot better than the way we first started out."

Cleveland joined Victoria Johnson with eight kills, second only to Abigail Koeller who led all players with 10. Cleveland added a team-high six blocks. Savanna Pearson led the Pioneers with 12 digs and Elizabeth Carroll had 13 assists. Jordan Reid also added 12 assists for Millbrook.

"It was an amazing atmosphere, the best this season," said Millbrook coach Carla Milton. "This was huge. "They are a great team. We take nothing away from that. They’ve got great players and a great coach. But for us to come in and play the way we did is very exciting."

The two heavyweights went back and forth to open the night. The first set had three lead changes in the first set up until the score was tied at 8-8.

From there, the Pioneers took control. Millbrook went on a 17-3 run, closing out the set in commanding fashion 25-11.

"It was huge to go on a big run like that," Cleveland said. "The way we worked together to go on a big run and put the ball in spots where they weren’t was phenomenal. Watching us play and move the ball around was great."

The second set was James Wood’s best of the match. The Colonels fought all the way to the end, but surrendered an eight-point lead as the Pioneers stormed back to win 25-23.

"I thought we fought back in the second set and had chances," said James Wood coach P.W. Hillyard. "They just beat us in the serve receive game and they were able to get in their system. We were not able to do that. They just beat us. They put on a clinic in the first set. I was proud of our girls and how they fought back."

"We talked about not letting them go on a run and about how we wanted to be the ones to go on the run," Milton said.

Millbrook didn’t let the Colonels (12-1, 2-1 conference, 2-1 district) entertain thoughts of a comeback in the third set. Millbrook led wire-to-wire and never allowed James Wood within four points after the start on its way to a 25-18 clincher.

Millbrook moved into first place in the conference. Every other conference team has at least one loss, with the exception of Handley, which has yet to play a conference match. The Judges are 4-7 overall.

"We work every day saying that we have to get better each night," Milton said. "Every night out we have to get better. Whether it’s practice or a game we have to get better. Right now I think we are doing that. We do have some lulls in there but we are preparing and getting there for the end of the season and the postseason."

Ending James Wood’s perfect season was a boost.

"I hope this gave them more confidence than they already have," Milton said. "They are a great group of girls and believe in themselves every night. I just hope that we can see what we did well tonight and keep improving."

Leilani Burch and Morgan Briggs led the Colonels with eight kills each, while Megan Hillyard recorded 14 assists and 11 digs.

"We didn’t hit for a positive percentage the whole night because of the way they were able to block balls and keep us out of our system," P.W. Hillyard said. "Their play definitely affected us."