Down but Not Out: Vikes Again Rally to Defeat Pride

By: Dan Sousa

Purcellville (Oct. 5, 2006) – For the second time this season Loudoun Valley has come back from the brink of defeat against Heritage to edge the Pride in a thrilling five-game match.

Back in August, Heritage led Valley in its season opener at home before the Vikes rallied. Tuesday night, Valley did it again, this time on its own home floor with a 25-15, 15-25, 22-25, 25-22, 18-16 win.

Cindy Murphy led the Vikings attack with 25 kills and Morgan Maddox added 16. Rachel Young led Heritage with 20 kills.

Catherine Buttery had 38 assists for Heritage while the Valley tandem of Lindsay Gessner and Ally Blaine combined for 38 also.

Valley jumped ahead before Heritage took the next two games and the Pride had an early six-pont lead in the fourth game but they could not clinch the match. Heritage bounced back to take a four-point advantage in the final game but Valley again rallied and took it as the two teams battled behind 15 before the Vikes could gain a two-point margin for the win at 18-16.

The loss Tuesday snapped Heritage’s 11-game winning streak. The Pride’s only blemishes this season have been the two losses to Valley.

Young and Buttery also combined for 23 service points for the Pride.

Valley’s balanced attack also included 12 kills from Alyssa Mangano and 11 from Morgan Clark. The Vikes defense played well with Murphy and Maddox combining for 45 digs and the team had 12 blocking combinations. Freshman Clark had 14 service points.

The Vikes now face rival County in a showdown Thursday in Leesburg.