James Wood tops Handley in hard-fought match

WINCHESTER — Although third-seeded James Wood swept No. 6 Handley 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-20) in the opening round of the Class 4 Northwestern District volleyball tournament on Monday, it wasn’t easy as the Judges fought desperately in all three sets in an effort to keep their season alive.

“We could have played better,” said Colonels coach P.W. Hillyard following the match at James Wood’s Shirley Gymnasium. “I thought the main reason this was so close was how Handley played though. They played with a lot of heart tonight.

“Our seniors, however, were able to make plays when we needed them the most, and that was the difference in the match.”

The Colonels (16-7) travel to No. 2 Millbrook, who defeated Wood twice in the regular season, at 6 p.m. today in the semifinals. The Pioneers beat No. 7 Liberty 3-0 on Monday.

“I don’t want to overstate this but we’re ready for the challenge of playing at Millbrook,” Wood senior hitter Jessica Putnam said. “I think that we can take them.”

Handley (11-11) jumped ahead early in the opening set which was a pattern that repeated itself in all three sets. Thanks to dominant play at the net by Judges hitter Reese Walker, who registered three blocks and a kill during the set, Handley was able to hold the lead until late.

But with the Judges leading 17-16 Putnam finally got the score deadlocked with an ace. Moments later Grace Frigaard gave Wood its first lead, 19-18, on a kill.

Handley eventually retook the lead 23-21 but another kill by Frigaard and an ace by Kaitlyn Poppo helped put the Colonels up 24-23. A short return by the Judges ended the set with a Colonel victory.

The second set was a battle from start to finish with Wood clinging to the lead through most of the set. The Judges did manage to tie things up at 22 on a kill by Neysha Washington but the Colonels responded with a 3-1 run to end the set. Wood got the set winner when a Handley return fell short.

The final set was perhaps the most exciting of the match with the Judges holding the lead throughout. Thanks to a strong performance by Washington and Walker the Judges led by what looked like a comfortable margin of 19-14 midway through the set.

Wood, however, refused to give up and slowly got back into the set. An ace by Putnam, who had seven kills, a block, and three aces for the Colonels, tied things up at 19.

A short return by Handley and a kill by Lainie Putt gave Wood a 21-19 lead, and it never looked back. Olivia Biggs got the match-winner on a kill.

“We did what we needed to do to get this win,” Putnam said. “But what an effort by Handley. They pushed hard the whole match.”

“This was a really tough match and a lot of fun to play in,” Wood hitter Taylor Robinson said. “It was tight all the way through and it feels really good to come away with a victory. Handley played with a lot of heart, and they pressed us the whole night.”

Besides Putman, Gillian Kleiderlein led Wood with nine kills, three blocks, and two aces. Taylor Robinson finished the night with five kills, a block, and two aces.

Handley was led by Washington, who had 12 kills and an ace. Walker finished the match with three kills and six blocks. Chloe Putnam also had a good night for the Judges with seven kills.

“I thought that we really played well tonight,” Handley coach Lindsay Cole said. “I think we came in here and gave everything we had through the entire match. I’m not sure our girls can play any better than they did tonight. James Wood is that good. I’m really proud of these girls though.”