The Lord Botetourt girls are state Class 3 champions in volleyball, and on Saturday in Richmond the Cavaliers left no doubt. Botetourt polished off an undefeated season with a three-set win over Warren County in the championship game, 25-14, 25-12 and 25-17.

Botetourt took it to the Wildcats from the opening serve, dominating the match much like they have all season. In 31 matches this year the Cavaliers won 88 of 92 sets played, losing just two sets to Blacksburg and two to James River

“The girls were excited and very motivated,” said LB coach Julie Conner. “They were very confident going in. This (winning the state) was a goal they had set before the season and they were determined.”

Conner had a good scouting report. Her sister, Sherry Millirons, scouted Warren County’s semifinal win. Sherry was a very successful coach at Auburn where her little sister, Julie (then Akers), played for her.

“She pointed out that they liked to tip the ball so we worked some on that,” said Julie. “But the main thing we focused on was playing our game. I knew if we did the things we do well, we’d be hard to beat.”

In Saturday’s win over Warren County, sophomore Miette Veldman was game high with 18 kills. Brooklyn Shelton had 11 kills, Lara Veldman had 10 and Catherine Reinard and Scottie Cook had three each.

Lara Veldman had 14 digs to lead the Cavaliers while Kenleigh Gunter had 13 and Miette had eight. Alexis Ellis had five digs, Jordyn Kepler had three, Reinard had two and Shelton and Cook each had one. Ellis led with three aces. Reinard and Lara Veldman had two each and Miette Veldman had one.

“I’m still trying to process everything,” said Conner. “I knew at the beginning of the season we had a lot of potential, but it was going to be up to how hard we worked and how we played together. They wanted it, and they worked hard to get it.”

Botetourt beat Hidden Valley in the state semifinal in three sets last week in Daleville. It was the fifth win over Hidden Valley in five meetings this season, and the Titans didn’t take a single set off the Cavaliers. Hidden Valley was the 2016 Class 3 state champ, beating LB in the state quarterfinal last year.

“I’m so proud of our girls,” said Conner. “They stayed focused all season long. It was just a great group of girls.”

The Cavaliers will lose just one senior, Lara Veldman. She’s been a big part of the program.

“We’ll miss her, she’s been a big part of our success,” said Conner. “She’s been a great all-around player for us.”

With a strong nucleus coming back the Cavaliers have to be considered an early favorite to repeat in 2018. However, the girls just want to enjoy this one for now. It’s just the fourth team state championship ever for Lord Botetourt High School athletics, along with two in girls basketball and a golf state championship.

“They’ve been talking about getting rings, and the team photo that will go up in the gym,” said Conner. “It’s pretty exciting.”

When the girls arrived home Saturday night there was no police escort, but there were some police cars.

“I think there was a break-in at the little mall across the street,” said Conner.

Julie didn’t know what was taken, but she does know one thing. This year’s undefeated season is something no one is ever going to take away.