Gladiators Pick Up First District Win Of Season

GREENVILLE – The Riverheads Gladiators won their first Shenandoah District game of the season with a 25-11, 25-16, 25-22 victory over rival Buffalo Gap.

“I’m super proud of these girls,’ said Riverheads head coach Amy Moore. “it’s been a tough season. Our goal has been to continue to climb, continue to get better. We play in a tough district, and we know we’re going to face some teams that are really good. Playing those matches makes you better. I think that helped us tonight.”

The Gladiators came out on fire, rolling to a 13-1 lead in the opening set. Maleah Shirley put down three kills and teammate Hannah Williams added two kills and a block to spark the Gladiators to the dominant early lead.

Bailey Tribble provided most of Gap’s offense in the first set with five kills, but the Bison were unable to cut into the big lead as Riverheads closed out the set 25-11.

Riverheads continued to control the action in the second set. Two kills by Shirley and two aces by Chesney Dunlap powered the hosts to a quick 6-1 lead. 

Kills by Molly Fitzgerald and Shirley plus an ace by Williams increased the margin to 9-3. Gap closed to within 10-6 before two kills by Abi Bennington sparked a 4-0 spurt that put Riverheads on top 14-6.

The Gladiators maintained a comfortable margin and closed out the second set 25-16.

Gap fought hard to stay in the match, leading for much of the third set. With the score tied at 11-11 kills by Avery Wheeler and Tribble put Gap ahead 13-11 and a Riverheads’ error made the score 14-11.

The teams traded points until the Bison put together a 4-0 spurt. Kills by Tribble and Sadie Shifflett plus a pair of aces by Lindsay Lyle gave Gap a 19-13 lead.

Riverheads closed the gap to 19-17 before a Tribble kill pushed Gap’s lead to 20-17.

The Gladiators took the lead with the next four points. A kill by Kyera Pannell tied the score and a another Pannell kill gave Riverheads a 21-20 advantage.

Gap pulled even at 21-21, but Riverheads scored three straight points, capped by a Dunlap kill to lead 24-21. A kill by Rachel Baber kept the Bison alive, but a Gap serving error gave the Gladiators the final point.

Shirley had a huge night at the net with 15 kills and just two hitting errors. “I keep telling the girls to hit the ball and good things will happen,” said Moore. “We work all the time on not being satisfied with just getting the ball over the net but staying aggressive and getting the kills. Maleah did a great job tonight.”

Dunlap had 26 assists and three service aces. Emily Herndon led the team with 11 digs and Shirley added eight.