Photo courtesy of JRHS
The James River volleyball team will host the “Knights Invitational” tournament in Springwood this Saturday, September 21.
Each team is guaranteed five matches and there is a championship bracket and a consolation bracket where the two pools will mix together. Teams competing this Saturday include Alleghany, Franklin County, Appomattox, Rustburg, E.C. Glass, Salem, Parry McCluer and host James River.
The Knights opened their Three River District season with a three set win and a three set loss last week. The Knights took three from Floyd County, then dropped three to Alleghany.
The girls won in Springwood against Floyd, 25-12, 25-10 and 25-10, as Caitlin Canada hammered 13 kills. Jadyn Miller had six aces and Brea Anduiza handed out 22 assists.
“We were able to serve well so they could not run their offense,” said River coach Linsey Firebaugh. “We received a lot of free balls which we were able to be aggressive and swing away.”
On Thursday at Alleghany the Knights dropped three to the Cougars, 25-21, 25-20 and 25-14. Konner Myers had 16 digs.
“Even though the first two sets we struggled offensively we competed well,” said Firebaugh. “However, in the last set they were able to run their offense easily and we could not stop them.”
The girls had a non-district match at home against Riverheads on Monday and River swept the season series from the Gladiators, winning in three. They dominated in a 25-13, 25-10, 25-14 match.
“We served well and we made it hard for them to run their offense,” said Firebaugh.
Canada had 10 kills to lead the Knights. Anduiza had a strong all-around match with 18 assists, nine kills and five serving aces.
With the win River improved to 5-3 and the Knights were scheduled to play Carroll County in a district match in Hillsville Tuesday. After Saturday’s tournament in Springwood they return to action next Tuesday, September 24, when they go to Radford.
