Allen Gregory
ROSE RIDGE, Va. - Ridgeview senior volleyball player Leah Sutherland entered the biggest night in program history with a bottom-line approach.
"I knew this could my last match ever, so I wanted to give 100 percent and leave everything on the floor with no regrets. And that's what I did," Sutherland said.
The 5-foot-10 Sutherland supplied 21 kills and 18 digs on Wednesday as the Region 2D champion Ridgeview Wolfpack posted a 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-13 win over the Region 2C champ James River Knights.
Ridgeview (31-2) will face Fort Defiance (26-2) on Saturday at 2:15 for the VHSL Class 2 state title at the Salem Civic Center.
The Ridgeview side of gym was packed with loud supporters long before the start of the match.
"That was awesome to see," Sutherland said. "I thrive off large crowds and big moments."
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After dropping the opening set, Sutherland and her teammates turned up the intensity.
"We were a little shaken early. But we came back for the second set fired up and that carried on the rest of the match," Sutherland said.
While James River (21-9) focused on defense, serving and ball placement, Ridgeview went with power behind Sutherland, senior Mackenzie Wright (10 kills) and other hitters like senior Tsega Mullins and junior Alyssa Kiser.
It was a busy night for Ridgeview senior setter Makinley Owens, who contributed 18 digs and 42 assists.
"We have so many options on offense and it makes a huge difference in a match like this," Owens said. "If one of our hitters is off for a couple points, we can go somewhere else."
Juniors Jaeda Dingus (17 digs) and Kenzie Ramey (10 digs) also played well for Ridgeview.
Behind the serving of Ramey, the Wolfpack opened a 14-7 margin in set three. James River chopped the deficit to 17-16 before the balance of Ridgeview took over.
"We have such a well-rounded team with great chemistry and so many weapons," Sutherland said. "The defense never knows where we are going to go with the ball."
Owens has seen the Sutherland show many times.
"Leah hits the ball so hard and gives it her all every day,' Owens said. "She normally wins all our drills and challenges in practice, and she's just a great leader for our team."
Along with powerful senior hitter and blocker Caitlin Canada, James River was led by senior Brenna Anduiza (13 kills), senior Ava Thacker (12 12 kills) and senior Konner Myers with 14 digs.
"We came out hot in the first set and I thought we were going to pull out the second set," second-year head coach Linsey Bailey Firebaugh said.
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The party started early for Ridgeview fans, as Wolfpack took the second and third sets and built a 17-6 advantage in the fourth.
"(Ridgeview) has a good team and they play with a lot of confidence," Firebaugh said. "We weren't able to take advantage of any errors and they kept the momentum."
Hitting from all angles and showcasing her leaping ability, Sutherland was in attack mode the entire night.
"We knew (James River) was really good on defense," Sutherland said. "We just had to keep swinging and find the hole. I was swinging and slinging."
Firebaugh was not happy with the site of Wednesday's showdown.
"Absolutely not," Firebaugh said. "This match was supposed to be played at James River, so we were prepared for our home environment."
The original Class 2 bracket had the state semifinal match scheduled for Tuesday at James River.
"On Monday, the (VHSL) sent us an email saying there were going to move back here because Region D had traveled for two years," Firebaugh said.
"I get it, but the brackets had already been set and state play had already started. You can't change the location of a match like this one day before its scheduled."
According to Firebaugh, the James River contingent had to stay in far Southwest Virginia on Tuesday night because of the four-hour trip.
"I'm not going to say that's what cost us the match, but the decision really impacted these girls," Firebaugh said.
"The VHSL says all the time that they are here for the girls, but I don't know if they are really here for the girls if they are going to make a decision like this."
Meanwhile Ridgeview coach Holly Hyden Fleming was surrounded by giddy fans and players long after the victory.
"I just feel so much gratitude," Fleming said. These girls have worked so hard and our community shows up for support. That's what makes all this so much fun."
After not winning a single district match until six years ago, Ridgeview has earned 56 wins and two straight state tournament berths over the past two seasons.
"It's pretty crazy to see how far we have come as a program, but we made it a reality. It was all about hard work every day," Fleming said.
Sutherland is ready for the final leg of the journey on Saturday in Salem.
"I was overwhelmed Tuesday night and not sure how to feel with all the pressure. My mom told me it was just another game and to play my best" Sutherland said.
"Saturday will be another big match. We have to play our style and give everything we have."
[email protected] | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
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