Midlothian girls volleyball falls to Independence on Nov. 16 at home, 3-0.
Midlothian girls volleyball, the winners of Region 5C, fell Saturday at home to Independence High School in the Virginia High School League Class 5 quarterfinals.
The Trojans lost 3-0 to the runner-ups from Region 5D, the Tigers, ending their season at 22-3.
"They answered everything, done everything I could have asked for," said Midlo coach Sherman Chung. "We made adjustments, we just couldn't answer the adjustments they had."
High school fall playoffs: scores, updates from around the area
On Saturday night, Independence, out of Loudoun County, battled with Midlo for a chance to make the Class 5 state semifinals. It was the third-straight year the Trojans were hosting a state quarterfinal.
People are also reading... House resurrects, passes Social Security reforms championed by Spanberger Richmond downtown amphitheater announces its first concert. It is ... 5 houses going dark this Tacky Lights season Richmond school cancels classes after fire Chesterfield students, parents rally against proposed transgender policy changes New details about I-64 crash that killed 2 in New Kent County Family-owned crushed stone producer in Goochland names president Richmonder Mazzanti wins 47th Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon Woman fired for not taking COVID vaccine wins $12.69 million verdict Trump wants to abolish U.S. Department of Education. What might that mean? 4-cent real estate cut rejected by Richmond City Council Here's who Richmond voters wrote in for mayor Burger Bach Midlothian is closing; Carytown location to stay open Virginia Democrats advance amendments to protect abortion, voting rights, marriage equality Commentary: Richmond didn't get 'fleeced' in failed real estate deal. VCU Health did
In the first set, it was neck-in-neck between the two until about the halfway point. In the second half, Independence caught fire and rattled off an 11-point run and eventually won 25-15.
"Things just didn't go our way," Chung said. "I told them, 'Today, there's a better team' and (Independence) answered everything we responded to."
Midlo, on some of the long point droughts, had some tiny mistakes or miscommunications at times. But still, every play, the Trojans hustled to get to the ball or keep it in play.
In the second set, Midlo looked refreshed. With junior Dylan Cline serving, the team put up an early nine-point run, leading 9-1. While the Tigers didn't use the likes of a big run to get back in the set, they slowly crept their way up to the Trojans.
The set was tied 15-15 at the halfway point. While Midlo was keeping with the visitors, the Tigers found their groove in the back half of the set and went up 18-21. While not unmanageable, the Trojans couldn't overcome the deficit and dropped the second, 25-20.
The third was dominated by Independence. The Tigers used big runs and good ball placement to take off from the start. Midlo lost the third set 25-8.
"The second set was the key one," Chung said. "(We) went up 9-1 and couldn't hold it. That was tough.
"I thought the energy was there. At 15-all I told (Midlo) 'we're back to ground zero, so you got to make a run from here.' But they played the hard time. I know they didn't give up. They got too much heart, too much character for that, but things just didn't go our way."
It's the second-straight year the team has fallen in the Class 5 quarterfinals.
Chung added he's going to try to make next season's schedule for the Trojans even tougher than this year's to help prepare his team for the playoffs.
"I don't think we get pushed enough," Chung said. "When we get to states, we're not ready for what some of those teams are going to bring against us, so that makes it tough. We'll get better; we'll learn from it."
Even with the loss, the Trojans are still the winners of the region and lost only three games all year. Plus, with a young team and just three seniors, the team got experience in the state tournament and understands what teams will bring come November.
"It was a tough loss, but they're a good team," Chung said. "I just hate losing in the state quarterfinals in back-to-back years."
Elsewhere in the area, Atlee girls volleyball won on the road at Jamestown 3-0 on Saturday. The Raiders, the Region 4B runner-ups, will take on defending Class 4 champion James Wood on the road again Tuesday, with a spot in the title game on the line. The game is set for 6 p.m. If Atlee wins, it will play the state championship game at the Siegel Center.
"We'll come back next year," Chung said. "They always want to perform well on (their) home court. ... We'll try and do it all over again."
Close
Atlee's Emma Bowes bumps the ball against Hanover on Monday.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover head coach Justin Rastberger speaks to his team during a volleyball game against Atlee, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover fans cheer during a volleyball game against Atlee, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Blake Crawford, facing camera, celebrates with her Atlee teammates during the Raiders' victory over Hanover on Monday night. Atlee clinched a spot in the Region 4B title match and a spot in the Class 4 quarterfinals with the win.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford bumps the ball against Hanover on Monday. The Raiders won all three matches against the Hawks this year.
MIKE KROPF photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford (20) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Regan MacDougall (8) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Regan MacDougall (8) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Emorie Fisher (3) bumps the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee head coach Kasey Ogden speaks to her team during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover's Kahlia Lewis attempts a spike against Atlee on Monday.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
The Atlee volleyball team celebrates after winning a game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford (20) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH PHOTOS: Atlee girls volleyball defeats Hanover, clinches spot in state tournament
The Raiders defeated the Hawks 3-2
Atlee's Emma Bowes bumps the ball against Hanover on Monday.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover head coach Justin Rastberger speaks to his team during a volleyball game against Atlee, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover fans cheer during a volleyball game against Atlee, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Blake Crawford, facing camera, celebrates with her Atlee teammates during the Raiders' victory over Hanover on Monday night. Atlee clinched a spot in the Region 4B title match and a spot in the Class 4 quarterfinals with the win.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford bumps the ball against Hanover on Monday. The Raiders won all three matches against the Hawks this year.
MIKE KROPF photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford (20) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Regan MacDougall (8) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Regan MacDougall (8) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Emorie Fisher (3) bumps the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee head coach Kasey Ogden speaks to her team during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Hanover's Kahlia Lewis attempts a spike against Atlee on Monday.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
The Atlee volleyball team celebrates after winning a game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Atlee's Blake Crawford (20) spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Hanover, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Savannah Reger
(804) 649-6772
@SavannahReger17 on X
Savannah Reger
Sports Reporter
Author twitter Author email Follow Savannah Reger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today