The CVC Condors traveled to Vienna, VA to participate in the NVVA 14 Groundhog Invitational On February 1, 2009. The Condors’ title run came up short with a 14-25, 25-16, 2-15 loss to NVVA Loudoun Gold in the semi-finals. CVC rallied in game two to even the play-off match at one a piece behind the serving of Allie Cable (2 aces) and Lexi White-Tourruellas (2 aces) before falling in the third and deciding game.
Coach Monica Owensby was happy with her team’s play and added, “Despite not being in the finals, the team showed great improvement, both offensively and defensively, since our last tournament. We controlled the pace of every game. Our serving was strong with each player serving over 60%. One of our main focuses going into the tournament was to limit the other team’s “free” opportunities. We did a great job. Our opponents spent more time digging our hits and not passing and setting our free balls. Unfortunately, we lost that focus in the semis and could not pass up their serves. The girls now have a better understanding of what it means to give away a match because of the lack of focus and execution. Hopefully from here on out they will be able to keep the momentum, determination, and focus in every match they play. Mistakes will happen and that is ok. It’s all part of the learning experience and knowing how to adjust to make the play. Overall, there were more positive plays than negative and every player should be proud of how they performed. They are a remarkable bunch of talented girls and I am very lucky to be their coach.”
The Condors began the tournament taking two of three games from the Metro American Travel 25-15, 25-17, 19-25. The Condors rode a 9-0 run behind the serving of White-Tourruellas to break open game one and take a 16-6 lead. Chelsea Owensby also played well with two aces and one assist. The defense was led by Allison Kupiec and Maddie Chervenak. Both players dug the ball consistently and provided the setters passes that they could handle. Game two saw White-Tourrellas lead the way once again. She led a 12-0 to turn a 17-13 deficit to a 25-17 win. Naomi Burke paced the offense with two (2) assists and Taylor Latimer and White-Tourrellas provided the kills. In game 3 the Condors fell 25-19. Jordon Lawson paced the attack in this game with one block and one kill. In defeat the Condors passed well in this game as well. Becca Pierce provided fine defensive play with quality passing of her own.
The Condors ran their pool record to 5-1 with a 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 victory over NVVA Loudoun Black. Mallory Baldwin led a 6-0 run to break open a close game one for a 25-19 victory. During the run Baldwin served 5 aces. The back row had solid play from Cable and Chervenak. Sarah Przybyla and Cable were also involved in the offense each hitting one (1) kill each. The Condors had little trouble in the second game winning 25-15. The offense was paced by the setting of Owensby who distributed the ball well and had five (5) assists in the game. Kupiec (2), White-Tourruellas, and Pierce each contributed kills. White-Tourruellas also provided four (4) service aces. In the third game the Condors once again had to rally to win 25-20. As she did in the first game, Baldwin finished off the game with a 6-0 service run. This run included two (2) aces from Baldwin and some fine defensive play from Cable.
The Delaware Juniors were next on the Condors’ hit list; falling 25-11, 26-24, and 25-17. Once again Baldwin provided the serving in an 8-0 run that included kills from Latimer and Pierce. Later in the game Lawson took control of the net with one (1) block and one (1) kill. Owensby again led the offense with six (6) assists. In the second game, the Condors rallied from a 16-10 deficit for the 26-24 win. The comeback was ignited by Burke’s serving and setting and was completed with two (2) service aces from Latimer. Game three saw the Condors’ serving dominate the game. Five Condors recorded aces in a game which saw very few rallies. The sweep clinched the Pool B title and gave the Condors an 8-1 record heading into the semi-finals.
.jpg)
