PALMYRA — The Fluvanna County volleyball team improved its record to 9-1 on Thursday, with focused preparation being a large factor in its early success.
“We started the season early, worked all summer, we’ve been in the weight room, we’ve been in the gym all summer long,” senior defensive specialist Taylor Stringer said. “We worked really hard [in the] preseason to be where we are now.”
Much of what the Flucos have achieved has stemmed from how they wanted to meet their own expectations.
“I think in preseason, we talk about how much potential our team has, but potential doesn’t mean anything if we don’t execute it,” senior outside hitter Molly McCall said. “And so, I think we’ve done a really good job executing in practice, and I think it’s just played really well on the court.”
With seven seniors on the roster, Fluvanna County has also developed quality chemistry.
“The team works well together,” Flucos head coach Christi Harlowe said. “I think the team is really gelling together, they’re working together, they’re communicating well, which helps you be successful on the volleyball court.”
The Flucos continued displaying their cohesion on Thursday in a 3-1 (24-26, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20) victory over Louisa County.
“I think we finally just started to play together [in the last three sets],” McCall said. “I think we played less scared and less tense.”
“Once we shook the nerves off, our communication definitely went up, our energy went up and we all just played together and did really well,” Stringer added.
Fluvanna County went to five sets with the Lions in both of their 2024 matches, and the back-and-forth competition continued on Thursday.
“They’re going to be a scrappy team, they’re going to play well, they’re going to run balls down, they’re going to keep the ball off the floor,” Harlowe said. “It’s always a good match against them. I think we tend to bring out the best in each other.”
The Flucos held control for much of the first set, but a late surge allowed Louisa County to steal it.
Fluvanna County led, 19-18, and Isabella Williams landed a kill to tie it. After a Maci Hensley ace, Jada Green kill and Flucos attack error, the Lions had a 22-19 advantage.
However, Fluvanna County held the lead for the majority of the remaining three frames, and won all of them.
“We started being able to put the ball away a little bit more — hitting around their block instead of allowing them to block us,” Harlowe said.
The Flucos have been particularly adaptable in recent games while maneuvering around injuries and other absences.
With their starting libero unable to play on Thursday, Stringer filled the role effectively.
Fluvanna County is also finding success with a variety of players organizing the offense.
“Ellie Garrett’s filled a great role as a setter and a right-side [hitter],” Harlowe said. “Norah Ferrell has come in, and she’s really working on learning the offense and becoming an effective setter and also playing right side. And with Ellie being out, you have Sydney Gentry, who’s filling a big role right now as another freshman setter and right-side.”
The Flucos will next play against Spotswood on Sept. 22, while the Lions will face Goochland on Sept. 23.
Chris Gionta
cgionta@dailyprogress.com
@Chris_Gionta on X
C’ville Varsity
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