Passion For Volleyball Spreads Across SBS (Season wrap-up)

Ten minutes after the final point had been played in the StoneBridge girls varsity volleyball team’s Metro conference tournament game, dozens of SBS fans remained on the court. They simply didn’t want to leave what had been a highly emotional and intense volleyball match.

Such activities are usually reserved for the winning team, but not this time.  StoneBridge had just lost a heartbreaker in five sets to arch rival Portsmouth Christian with each team fending of match points before PCS finally pulled out the victory. But the final score wasn’t the story — the story was seen in the throng of SBS players, students, parents and friends who couldn’t leave the court and have brought a new level of enthusiasm to volleyball at StoneBridge.

“I’ve never seen this many people cheering like this at a girls volleyball game,” said a parent from another Metro school. “You have incredible fans,” said another parent.

Senior Captain and All-Metro player Rachel Rowe led the way all season for the Cavs, who finished at 9-14. Rowe amassed 242 kills, bringing her career total to 608 and making her the second member of the SBS Volleyball “500 Club.” Rachel added 83 aces to give her 280 for her career (the SBS career leader) to go along with over 500 digs and 907 service receptions. Rachel’s line for the final game typified her all-out style of play: 11 kills, 11 aces, 45 services receptions, 16 digs and 3 blocks. Rachel earned the 2008 and 2009 Leadership Awards and finished her career as the best all-around volleyball player in StoneBridge history.

Junior Laura Rader (Loyalty Award recipient) set a SBS single season record with 330 assists (634 for her career making her the third member of our 500 Club). Laura was our featured setter in the “5-1″ rotation, meaning she was in the center of the action for the vast majority of the points. Juniors Kristin Hines and Anna Elliott served as co-captains, adding depth to our front-row attack, while classmates Geli Zeigler (Libero), Katie Connor (defensive specialist) and Ellen Russell (Perseverance Award winner) make the prospects for next season quite bright.

The varsity team also featured  sophomores Jessi Carroll (outside hitter) and Julia Overton (defensive specialist) along with freshman Hope Elliott (outside hitter, Most Improved Award).

The enthusiasm was not a one-time event nor was it limited to the varsity team. In fact, more than two dozen girls participated in our JV and JJV teams. At times, the crowds at our home games could have been mistaken for a basketball game. JV coach Ron Mann led a deep and developing team that finished 7-11 and challenged some of the best teams in the Metro conference. Coach Cassielu Malone headed our first full-year JJV program which finished with a 8-6 record and featured a strong and talented group of girls.

Together, the three volleyball teams combined to win more games than any other SBS volleyball season. But the real “victory” of the program could be seen in the enthusiasm that lingered long after a heartbreaking loss and has continued into the off-season. With such passion combined with support from the Athletic program and the school, the future surely is bright for SBS volleyball.