Colonels overcome slow start, rally to knock off Skyline

By Jerry Holsworth -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WINCHESTER -- James Wood eventually defeated Skyline on Tuesday in a Northwestern District girl's volleyball match, but it took a shocker in the first set to get the Colonels going.

After leading 11-4 in the first set, Wood watched helplessly as the Hawks came roaring back to win 27-25.

The Colonels, however, recovered and took the next three sets 25-19, 25-15, 25-10 for a 3-1 victory.

"Skyline played good defense and we had trouble getting the ball down in the first game," James Wood coach Jill Lester said. "We talked about communicating better and getting the ball down after that game."

Colonels hitters Hannah Tierney and Emily Shannon dominated play early in the first set. Shannon scored on three kills, and Tierney collected four points on three aces and a kill to lead Wood to an 11-4 lead. But with the Colonels seemingly in control, the wheels came off of their offense, allowing Skyline to slowly overtake them. With James Wood holding on to a 19-15 lead, Hawks hitter Brooklyn Steele rattled off two straight aces, and Hannah Graham scored on two kills and a block to give Skyline a surprising 20-19 lead.

"We thought that we had such a big lead that we had the game won," Shannon said. "We let down and Skyline has a very competitive team. You just can't do that. They'll take advantage of that every time."

With the score tied 25-25, Steele got a kill, and a kill attempt that sailed wide by Shannon gave the Hawks a 27-25 win.

"We came out well in the first game," Skyline coach Lesley Detweiler said. "We didn't let anything hit the floor, and we were very consistent. After that, we didn't do those things very well and we let them beat us."

The second set was similar to the first, except that the Colonels had built such a big lead that the Hawks' comeback attempt fell short.

With Wood leading 24-10, Skyline again tried to get back in the set. Rattling off nine straight points narrowed the Colonels' lead to 24-19, but a four-touch by the Hawks gave Wood the win.

"That nine-point run was wonderful," Detweiler said. "But we need to learn to start the game strong, too, not just finish strong."

After the second set, James Wood's powerful front line took charge and dominated play at the net for the rest of the match. Shannon led the way with a match-high 16 kills. The Colonels junior also registered one block and an ace. She was particularly strong in the final set, scoring seven of Wood's points.

Tierney wasn't far behind with 14 kills, two blocks and five aces for the Colonels.

Wood jumped ahead early in the third set, and this time finished off Skyline without allowing a late run by the Hawks. Cady Schaffer got the set-winner with an ace, her third of the night.

After leading early 2-1, Skyline was overwhelmed by Shannon and Tierney at the net, and the last set was never close.

Steele led the Hawks with 10 kills and two aces. Graham scored on five kills and two blocks for Skyline.

"We have just one more week and we start the tournament," Lester said. "We're working hard, both as a team and individually, to get stronger as a team."