PREPS PLUS: Elder, Gomez key Patriots’ title run

Albemarle outside hitter Kara Elder was dominant throughout the regular season for the Patriots, but during the postseason, the senior was sublime.

Elder’s average kills per match jumped with the beginning of win-or-go-home play. She capped her career with a fantastic performance in Albemarle’s 3-1 state championship game victory over Westfield when Elder powered the Patriots’ attack with 20 kills. Both Elder and Laura Gomez, who had a dominant defensive game against Westfield, are looking at Division III schools to play volleyball at the next level.

Any chance for a repeat?

It’s absurdly early to be talking repeat after the Patriots wrapped up the first public school volleyball title in Central Virginia history last Saturday, but Albemarle certainly has a strong foundation to build on in 2008.

The Patriots return both setters Meg Carpenter and starter Abby Hendrix as well as the talented Hanna Lawson. Sophomore libero Sarah Terlesky and classmate Megan Napolitano will also be back.

Still, the Patriots will have to replace the senior leadership of Gomez, Elder, Katie Mastropaolo, Sara Deal, Brittany Parnell and Emily Strauss. Hopefully for the Patriots, some of that ability to lead rubbed off on the underclassmen.

Lesser makes her college plans

Louisa County’s Meagan Lesser has shored up her plans for the next four years. Lesser signed her official letter-of-intent on Tuesday to play softball at Glenville State College in West Virginia.

Lesser, who has been the starting pitcher for the Lions since her freshman year, said the school is a perfect fit.

“I fell in love with the campus – it was such a comfortable environment,” Lesser said. “I could see myself going there.”

The 5-foot-6 right-hander started all 19 games for Louisa last season and earned a 12-7 record, helping the team to a fifth-place finish in the Jefferson District. Lesser is also used as a utility player and plays first and third base.

During her junior campaign, Lesser recorded 106 strikeouts and posted a 1.70 earned-run average. She also batted .313 and had 18 RBI as she earned first team all district honors. The senior’s numbers are just as impressive in the classroom — she boasts a 4.4 GPA.

Lesser also had offers from Shepherd (W.Va.) University and Goldey-Beacom (Del.) College. Other schools that showed interest included Randolph College, Lynchburg College and the University of Charleston.

“She’s going to be fine,” Louisa coach Susan Sharpe said of Lesser’s opportunity to play at the next level. “She’s been playing ball forever, and she always seems to step up to the challenge.”

Lesser, who also plays with the Southside Sting (Suffolk) travel softball team, can’t wait to get on the field at the Division II school. The Pioneers are coached by Rick Moore.

“The competition is going to be really different than what I’m used to,” Lesser said. “I’m really excited about it.”

WAHS seniors make their mark

Western Albemarle’s volleyball team may have had only three seniors — Alex Ernst, Aja Linton and Katie McLernan — but they have left their impression on the program.

The Warriors (21-5) lost six seniors from last year, but made it back to the Group AA tournament, where they fell to Chancellor in the quarterfinals last week.

“The seniors form the nucleus of this team,” said Western Albemarle coach Lance Rogers. “They led by example and by their on-court achievements. We’re going to miss Aja Linton’s passing and we’re going to miss Alex Ernst in the middle.”

The good news is Western will return the majority of its starters next season. That includes outside hitter Sarah Harper, the Jefferson District and Region II player of the year.

“We have a very mature group of youngsters here,” Rogers added. “They know what it’s like to be in the state tournament. And I guarantee you they are hungry to be back here again.”

Fanning honored by ACC

Virginia Tech runner Tasmin Fanning, a senior from Western Albemarle, received the ACC women’s cross country performer of the week award for her performance at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet.

Fanning became the first Hokies runner to win a regional meet, topping the 231-athlete field with a time of 20:07.8 on Saturday. She became the first Virginia Tech runner to earn four all-region honors and qualified for her third consecutive trip to the NCAA cross country championships in Terre Haute, Ind., next Monday.

Mustangs shine on defense

Monticello’s defense was a big part of the Mustangs’ victory against Briar Woods, shutting down the Falcons’ vaunted running attack after halftime.

With the interior of the Monticello defensive line stuffing the middle, the Falcons looked to edges of the field.

“We’re really strong inside so we take pride in making teams run outside,” said defensive end Jace Brady. “And then we pride ourselves on not letting them run there, either.”

The Mustangs struggled to contain Briar Woods in the first half, but after a few tweaks, the unit completely shut down the Falcons’ offense. Whether on a stretch play or a screen pass, defensive back Jake Pelton and linebacker Chris Coiner helped the Mustangs defense post a second half shutout. The two were instrumental in snuffing out anything on the outside of the field and made life easier from Brady and the defensive ends to help contain on the edge.

“Pelton is probably the best athlete on the team,” Brady said. “He’s always all over the field making interceptions or coming up with big sacks. You can always count on him to make a big play.”

Overcoming expectations

Since the season began, the Mustangs have been fighting to meet the lofty expectations that come with being a defending state champion. But no matter how many playoff games you win, Brady admitted that he and his teammates still get a case of the butterflies when it comes to November play.

“Every game you play could be your last game so it is a little nerve racking,” Brady said.

By running the table last year, Monticello has ample playoff experience, but Brady dismissed the idea that things are more comfortable the second time around.

“It’s true we did this last year, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I think it makes it harder actually, because you know how good it feels to win and you don’t want to lose.”