By Sports editor Brian Hoffman
The William Byrd girls opened their volleyball season Tuesday after having it postponed in the fall due to the coronavirus. The Terriers played at Lord Botetourt and it was better late than never. Way better, as a matter of fact, as the Terriers defeated the three-time defending state champion Cavaliers in five grueling sets.
Byrd had to come from behind to pull out the win. The Cavaliers won the first two sets, 24-23 and 25-21, and at that point it looked like business as usual for the LB girls. However, the Terriers dug in and held on for a 25-21 win in the third set, then tied it up with a dominating 25-15 win in the fourth. That sent the match into a fifth set to 15 to decide the match, and Byrd pulled out a 15-7 win.
It was a great win to start the season for the Byrd girls, who were led by Mattie Andrews’ 14 kills. Trinity Hylton had seven kills, 19 assists, five digs and two aces while Kamryn Sigafoes had 10 kills and five aces. Libero Grayce Dantler had 19 digs to go with four aces.
“The girls and the coaches are really excited about getting back on the court,” said coach Alison Thornton. “We missed all of our summer camps, team bonding and normal team functions, but were elated when the school board voted to allow us to play.”
Byrd has five seniors on this year’s team, Dantzler, Amna Becirevic, Kasey McKee, Erin Courtemanche and Reagan Tuck. Juniors include setter Hylton and outside hitter Andrews, and defensively Thornton expects good things from returning junior Chloe Harrilla. Newcomers expected to contribute include Sigafoes, Carsyn Kotz, Terran Brown and Ella Ashworth.
The Terriers have their home opener tonight against William Fleming. It will consist of two varsity matches only, beginning at 5:30 pm. Northside is here for the regular jayvee-varsity doubleheader next Tuesday, March 9.
