Win snaps losing streak

By Laura Clark

Published: October 1, 2008

As Courtney Madison’s spike ricocheted off a diving Heritage defender for game three’s winning point, she turned to her teammates with a resounding, “Finally.”

“I hit like two or three out,” said Madison, a senior. “Then the setter and I finally communicated, and I got my snap right.”

The game came together, Madison said, and after the Lancers topped the Pioneers 3-1 on Sept. 23, they breathed a collective “finally” sigh. The win was just Amherst’s second of the season and first in the Seminole District. They moved to a 2-10 overall record.

“It feels great, and I think it’s going to help us the rest of the season knowing we can win,” Madison said. “We’re going to continue to win,” Madison said.

Coach Dennis Gilbar said the team has struggled with unforced errors in the past few weeks. The Heritage match opened in much the same way, as Amherst lost the first game 25-15 on poor serve-receive.

Game two had the Lancers trailing by as many as eight points, before the Pioneers made their own share of unforced errors. Eking out a 25-23 win, the Lancers showed glimpses of confidence as they entered game three.

Amherst surged to a 20-12 lead with Nia Chiles stepping up on the front row to block and hit. But Heritage went on a run and brought the game within two before Madison nailed the point.

“If ‘Nesha (Renesha Chiles) or Courtney gets a kill it pumps us up. It’s an adrenaline rush,” said sophomore setter Taylor Garrison. “When we get good passes, most of the time I can get a good set. Every person on that court is vital to our game, and we couldn’t play without that one person.”

Garrison’s job is to run the offense, but it comes down to the Lancer defense digging up hits. Amherst looked its strongest in game four, as the Lancers minimized errors. After a long rally, Pioneer Whitney Williams spiked to tie the game at 20. Chiles had two big hits and a block to end the game. Amherst won 25-21.

“They were playing smarter volleyball the last part of the games,” Gilbar said. “When we can run an offense and pass the ball well, Renesha and Courtney are some of the best (hitters) in the district.”

Madison had seven kills, while Nia Chiles had six. Renesha Chiles had nine kills and two blocks. Garrison had 27 assists, seven digs and three aces.

Amherst fell to 2-11, 1-5 after losing 3-1 to Brookville on Sept. 25. On Oct. 2, the Lancers host Rustburg.

Amherst County’s Jade Croyle, right, and MacKenzie Brooks team up on a return against Heritage on Sept. 23.