On paper, the match should not even have been close. Pleasant Valley (18-14), a 3A school, was taking on No. 9 ranked 4A Alexandria (19-7). The Valley Cubs finally defeated the Lady Raiders, 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, 24-26, 15-8, but they knew at the end of the match that they had been in a battle.
A quick glance at the Lady Raider team reveals one obstacle they have to overcome, a lack of height. Pleasant Valley needed some height so badly in the middle positions that third year Head Coach Dana Bryant was forced to bring up two ninth graders, Payton Lewis and Jessica Boozer to help at the net.
While the Lady Raiders do start three seniors, Miranda Smith at outside hitter, Emily Fincher at libero and Danielle Johnson on the back row as a defensive specialist, Pleasant Valley is a relatively young team with two juniors and four sophomores filling out the rest of the squad.
Bryant is optimistic about her team. “We look good at times and we’ve got a lot of potential,” she said. “We play hard. We don’t have a dominant player so we need everybody to win.”
While the Lady Raiders may not be as tall as other teams they face, they make up for it with a lot of hustle and scrappy play.
“Defense is the key,” admits Bryant.
“Defense and playing smart; hitting where the other team isn’t and finding the hole.
“If we play solid and we play consistent then we will come out on top.
“We don’t have a dominant hitter we can go to that will make the point for us.
“We have to keep playing until the other team messes up.”
Pleasant Valley will have its hands full at the Calhoun County tournament this weekend. Seeded No. 7, the Lady Raiders will first face Piedmont, an area opponent for Pleasant Valley. The two teams have already played two matches and have split.
“The county tournament will be a challenge for us,” admits Bryant. “It will be a tough road but one that will be good for us. It will help build character.”
The Lady Raiders will start first round single-elimination action in the county tournament on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at White Plains.
Jacksonville, seeded No. 1 will play the winner of Saks and Donoho at 12:30.
Jacksonville Christian Academy, drawing the 11th seed, will host White Plains, seeded No.6 at 8 a.m.
