Wilson Holds Off Cats' Comeback Bid To Win In 4 Sets

FISHERSVILLE – Wilson started down two sets points in the fourth set and avoided being forced to a fifth set with a 3-2 victory over Rockbridge in Shenandoah District play. 

Wilson won the first two sets, 25-13 and 25-18, before the Wildcats stayed alive with a dominant 25-14 win in the third set. The Cats held a 23-21 lead in the fourth set, but the Hornets rallied to close out the match 27-25.

Wilson smothered Rockbridge in the opening set with a near-flawless performance. Leading 6-4, the Hornets took control at the net with six straight points to lead 12-4. Kayleigh Coffey and Estee Irving each had two kills and Maggie Parrott added a kill from the middle as Wilson took command. 

The Cats closed to 13-7 before two aces by Irving helped push the margin to 17-7. Rockbridge would get no closer than five points, 17-12 before Wilson finished off the first set 25-13. 

Rockbridge matched the Hornets early in set two as the score was tied 12-12. Wilson then went on a 7-3 spurt to lead 19-14. A.J. Hedrick, Coffey and Irving each delivered a kill as the Hornets opened their lead. Rockbridge closed to within 12-18 before Wilson scored the final four points, one on aced by Maddie Lawhorn and the final point on an Irving kill to take a 2-0 lead in the match,

“The first two sets we played some really good volleyball,” said Wilson head coach Lauren Grove. “We were solid in all areas.”

Momentum changed in the third set in a big way. Rockbridge scored the first four points and never trailed. Holding a 16-9 edge, Rockbridge eight straight points to take control of the set. Mackenzie McCormick served four aces as the Cats pulled away and took the third set. 24-14.

“I told the girls following the second set to not get too comfortable.” said Grove. “I knew how Rockbridge was capable of playing and I knew they would play better. I felt like we were out of system about 90 percent of the time in that third set. I told the girls this was a test. It was good for them to play in that situation.”

The Cats led for most of the fourth set. Wilson pulled even at 17-17 but a kill by Rockbridge’s Jada Hamilton sparked the visitors to a 20-17 edge. 

A kill by McCormick had the Cats up 23-21 before a kill by Jaquelin Wood and a service ace by Bethany Martim tied the score. A service error gave Rockbridge set point at 24-23 before a kill by Parrott knotted the score. McCormick and Irving traded kills to make it 25-25. A kill from the back row by Bre Kindig gave Wilson a one-point lead and the Hornets added the clinching point on an attack error by the Wildcats.

“The girls came through in the clutch when we needed it,” added Grove. “My girls can handle the pressure.”

Parrott and Wood each had seven kills to lead the Hornets and Natalee Chandler added a team-high 14 assists. Kindig led the defense with 20 digs and Martin came off the bench late and added 13 digs. Irving finished with five kills and three service aces.