By Sports editor Brian Hoffman
The William Byrd volleyball team lost to Franklin County in four sets last week in a match that decided the Blue Ridge District championship. Now the Terriers will focus their attention on the Region 3D tournament, which begins in the coming week.
Byrd was 6-3 overall after falling to Franklin County last week and Giles on Tuesday. The Terriers picked up a doubleheader with Northside on Wednesday, hoping to sweep the Vikings and enhance their playoff standing. Both schools were allowed to add games since William Fleming opted out of playing in the spring season. Wednesday’s doubleheader consisted of two best-of-three set matches.
“With many teams having games left this week and close region points, it’s still too early to tell who we will face in the first round of regions,” said Byrd coach Allison Thornton. “We’re pushing for two wins over Northside to lock down a home first round region game.”
Franklin County is Class 6, so the Eagles won’t be a factor in the post-season for Byrd. Last week in Rocky Mount Byrd had a chance to win the BRD regular season as both teams came in with just one district loss. Byrd got off to a good start, winning the first set 25-15, but Franklin regrouped and took the next three, 25-20, 25-17 and 25-23.
Senior Grayce Dantzler led the Byrd offense with 15 kills and junior Mattie Andrews added 10 kills. Kasey McKee had seven kills and three solo blocks while setter Trinity Hylton dished out 19 assists and Carsyn Kotz added 17 assists. Ella Ashworth had two aces behind the serving line.
The Terriers picked up Giles to replace another lost match on Tuesday and again took the first set, this time 25-19, against the talented Three Rivers District team. However, like the Franklin County match the Spartans rallied to take the next three, 26-24, 25-15 and 25-17. Andrews put down 14 kills and freshman Terran Brown added four kills. Middle blockers Amna Becirevic and McKee combined for seven blocks and Hylton dished out 17 assists.
The region tournament could start as early as Saturday. Brackets are expected to be announced Thursday night or early Friday.
