Lord Botetourt’s reign as Class 3 state volleyball champion is officially over. Abingdon defeated the Cavaliers in the Region 3D semifinals last week to end a run of three straight state titles by the Cavaliers.
LB first won the state championship on November 18, 2017 and the Cavaliers wore the crown for three years and just under five months. It was an amazing run by the locals, but nothing lasts forever.
“Our season ended earlier than we would have hoped but I am proud of this team and what they accomplished,” said LB coach Julie Conner.
The Cavaliers came into the regional as the fifth seed among 10 teams. They opened the tournament with a thrilling five-set win over William Byrd, a team they had lost to twice during the regular season. That sent them to Abingdon where they ran into the tournament’s top seed, and LB lost 25-17, 25-14 and 25-16. Abingdon then advanced to the championship match, where they lost to second seeded Hidden Valley, sending the Titans to the state tournament this week.
Parker Hudson led LB in the match with Abingdon with six kills, followed by Annelise Wolfe and Nora Spickard with five each. Sydney Whorley had 18 assists and Anna Dewease had 21 digs.
Botetourt finished the season with an 8-5 record in the pandemic-abbreviated season. The Cavaliers will graduate three seniors, Parker, Wolfe and Hailey Deter.
“We improved so much from the beginning of the season to the end, playing some of our best volleyball against Northside and William Byrd in the region quarter-final,” said Conner. “Given the situation this year, I know we were all thankful for the opportunity to play.