The two county schools will go head-to-head in volleyball Monday as James River travels to Daleville for a showdown with Lord Botetourt.
It should be a good one, as both schools are favored to win their respective districts. Lord Botetourt opened with a four-game win over Salem on Tuesday, while James River doesn’t open until today with a trip to Alleghany. LB also plays tonight, hosting Jefferson Forest.
Botetourt got off to a slow start Monday before turning it on for a four-game win, 21-25, 26-24, 25-18 and 25-18. Salem jumped to a lead at the outset as the Cavaliers suffered through some opening-night jitters.
“We had three or four sophomores out there at the same time,” said coach Cheryl Shockley. “We struggled at the beginning of the match but I knew they’d get better. It wasn’t the best volleyball you’ll see.”
Botetourt edged Salem in the second game to tie the match, and the Cavaliers were in control from that point as they rolled up 37 kills. Macey Tyree led the team with 17, Katey Hall had 10, Caroline Brown had six kills and Brooke Fuhrey had three.
Rachel Parker won the setter’s job and had 35 assists for LB. Fuhrey had three aces and Erin Lee had nine digs.
“We expect to have a tougher match on Thursday (against Jefferson Forest),” said Shockley. “And I know James River is really going to want to beat us. We should have a good crowd for that one and I’m expecting an exciting match. On Monday it was a like a golf tournament, it was so quiet.”
