The Virginia High School League girls volleyball state championships for Class 1, 2 and 3 will be held at the Salem Civic Center this Saturday. At press time, the James River team was still in the hunt, needing a win in Clintwood Tuesday to advance to Saturday’s Class 2 championship at 2:15 p.m.
River advanced to Tuesday’s state semifinal with two big wins in the past week. Last week at Roanoke College, they defeated Radford in four sets in the Region 2C championship, then on Saturday night in Springwood they beat visiting Marion in four. River coach Linsey Firebaugh was informed the Knights would host Ridgeview on Tuesday in the state semis, but on Monday the VHSL changed course and declared that Ridgeview would be host, upsetting the folks at River.
“The VHSL made a mistake and moved the game to Ridgeview,” said Firebaugh on Tuesday morning. “I am very disappointed in the VHSL. They have ultimately stripped away my girls’ last home game at River. They had the bracket set with us on top; however, the day before we were supposed to play Ridgeview they decided to change the whole bracket and put them on top. My girls were disappointed, however we are getting to travel down there and stay the night together.”
Firebaugh didn’t feel the change of venue would hurt her team.
“I am a firm believer of ‘it’s already written,’” she said. “This has been our motto for the season. God knows the outcome and God knows who the winners are. The location is not going to matter. If we are the better team we will come out on top no matter what. I believe in my girls and know they will rise to the occasion.”
The Knights have been on a roll. Going into Tuesday’s match they’d won 10 of their last 11, losing only to Class 3 Alleghany. Last Tuesday at the Roanoke College Cregger Center they beat Radford in four sets to win the Region 2C championship. Konner Myers had 25 digs, Caitlin Canada had 16 kills and Ava Thacker had 27 digs, three aces and eight kills.
“We had one of our key outsides go down in the first set,” said Firebaugh. “I have to say how proud I am of my girls for stepping up and pushing through with whatever lineup I give them. They are so determined and hard working.”
Photos by Jim & Regina Devinney
The win gave River a home game on Saturday night for the state quarterfinal round. The Knights hosted Marion and won in four sets again, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25 and 25-16. Myers had 33 digs and Thacker had 21. Canada had 14 kills, Brea Anduiza had 13, Sydnee Breeding had 11 and Thacker had eight.
“It was a good night for us,” said Firebaugh. “We played super well and that shows from the stats. Our hitters hit well and our team played as a whole. I absolutely adore this team. They work so hard and play for each other.”
Reaching the state semifinal is something the three James River coaches remember doing as players for the Knights. In 2017, Firebaugh, (then Linsey Bailey) and assistants Lilli Clevenger and Bailey Marshall reached that round. Linsey was a senior and Lilli and Bailey were both juniors under coach Dave McGee, who Linsey credits for much of her success on the court.
“We all played together on the 2017 team that made it to the state semifinals by knocking out Marion,” said Linsey. “Lilli was the setter and Bailey was one of the middles on the successful team we had. I had so much admiration for Bailey and Lilli both. This is why I asked them to join me coaching. They both know the game well and are great encouragers and role models to the girls.”
Firebaugh feels the three coaches all have something to offer.
“Each one of us brings a different perspective to the game,” she said. “Coaching with them is so much fun. They bring a great energy to practice every day. They help me prepare and plan for the games and help break down what skills need to be improved on in practice. We have grown to be super close and I know this will be a lasting friendship. I am so thankful to have both of them.”
If the Knights won Tuesday they will play the winner of a semifinal game between Clarke County and Fort Defiance. Both schools are from Region 2D, having swept teams from Region 2A in the quarterfinals. Clarke is the top seed from 2D.
This Saturday’s action at the Salem Civic Center begins at noon with the Class 1 championship. Auburn and Giles were in one semifinal and Middlesex and Rappahannock were in the other.
The Class 2 match is at 2:15 p.m. and the Class 3 championship will conclude the tripleheader at 4:30 p.m. It should also be a good one as defending state champ Hidden Valley and Region 3D champ Christiansburg were in one semifinal with New Kent and Grafton in the other.
