Gators cruise to three-set victory

Virginia Peninsula Community College's volleyball team ended a 10-match losing streak with a sweep of Rockingham (N.C.) Community College on Monday, Sept. 30. The Gators used strong serving and defense for their second win of the season. The scores were 25-7, 25-12 and 25-12.

Berkeley Stenger (Peninsula Catholic High School) had 18 assists, 14 aces and five digs. Maddie Mahone (Denbigh Baptist) had six kills, six aces and four digs, and Kingsleigh Guinn (Kecoughtan) added five kills and six digs. The Gators had just six players available. Ashleigh Yost (Smithfield) suffered a fractured ankle in the match against Chesapeake College on the weekend and likely is out for the season.

"It was very important (to get a win) right now with the limited amount of players," said coach Tommy Thomas.

During the losing streak, the Gators didn't get discouraged.

"(The morale) has been good," Thomas said. "And they came together. They worked hard to develop. Energy-wise, it was great."

In the first set, the Gators took a 5-0 lead and never trailed. The second set was closer with four ties and two lead changes early. However, the Gators went on a 15-5 run to take a 20-10 lead after the teams were tied at 5. In the third set, the Gators scored the first 13 points and coasted from there.

Weekend matches at Cheney were canceled, as was a match next week at Richard Bland College. The Gators are scheduled to return to action Saturday, Oct. 12, in a tri-match at Rockingham that also includes Caldwell Community College.