Warriors’ Manilla wins region titles

In Sterling, Western Albemarle sophomore Joey Manilla made sure his team would get the most out of a trip to southwest Virginia next week.

Manilla defeated John Adams of John Handley 6-4, 6-1 to win the Region II singles titles on Wednesday at Dominion High School.

“After a tough win yesterday against Law, [Joey] came out and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play better,” said Western coach Charles Ix. “The first set was kind of tight, but then in the second he just walked away with it. He was hitting some amazing shots.”

Manilla later teamed with Ben Fitts to defeat Potomac Falls’ representatives in the semifinals and then won the doubles crown with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Stephen Law and Patrick Melbourne of Briar Woods.

“[In the semifinals] they played from beginning to end just some flawless doubles,” said Ix. “I hadn’t seen them play any better until the finals.”

In the finals’ second set, Briar Woods had a few opportunities to force a third set after dropping the first, but the Warriors stood their ground for the right to defend their first-ever state title next week.

“[Manilla and Fitts] were down most of the set,” Ix said. “Briar Woods had two shots to close the set out, at 5-4 and 6-5, but they just couldn’t do it. Joey and Ben were aggressive, they were going after the ball, going after volleys, and just played unbelievable tennis.”

The victories mean that Manilla will compete in the singles, join Fitts in doubles and then the rest of his teammates in the team competitions at the Group AA championships starting next Thursday, June 5. The singles tournament will be at Radford on Thursday, while the doubles tournament will take place at Virginia Tech starting Friday.

Boys soccer: Osbourn Park 2, Albemarle 0

Anthony Payne scored on a first-half penalty kick, and the Yellow Jackets advanced to the Northwest Region final and ended the Patriots’ season.

Matthew Parker added a second-half goal off a scrum in front of the Albemarle goal. Osbourn Park will face the Colonial Forge-Osbourn winner in Friday’s final.

“They just came out in the first half and set the tone of the game,” said Albemarle coach Scott Jackson, whose team finished 17-4. “They were a little more physical. We woke up a little in the second half, but it was a little too late at that point.”

Girls lacrosse: Albemarle 11, Loudoun Valley 8

In Purcellville, Albemarle wrapped up the Northwest region championship with a come-from-behind victory over Loudoun Valley.

Goalie Erin Jablonski’s 18 saves paved the way for the Patriots, who will take on Westfield Friday at 5 p.m. in the state tournament.

Margaret Moss poured in five goals and a pair of assists to lead Albemarle offensively. Katie Tubridy also had a hat trick, while Kathleen Frechette had two goals and an assist.

Softball: Broad Run 7, Fluvanna County 0

In Ashburn, Fluvanna County ran into a buzz saw of a softball squad in the Region II semifinals. Nationally-ranked Broad Run (24-0) and has shut out 23 of the 24 squads they’ve faced this season. Led by Villanova-bound pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba, Broad Run shut out the Flucos.

“They’re the real deal,” said Fluvanna coach Nick Ward. “We fought hard and played good defense, but once they got a couple of runs it was hard to come back.”

Boys lacrosse: Albemarle 11, Forest Park 8

Albemarle picked up the Northwest Region title by beating the Bruins. Now the Patriots will face Annandale in the state tournament Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

The Patriots jumped out to a 10-3 halftime lead and then held on after being limited to just one goal in the second half. Connor McCullough led the Patriots with six goals while Bernie Mowbray chipped in with a hat trick of his own.

Gus Cramer had seven saves in the win.

Softball: Buckingham County 2, Wilson Memorial 0

In Fishersville, Buckingham scored two runs in the third inning and then held on against Wilson Memorial in the Region B semifinals.

Scores

In Nokesville, Charlottesville’s girls soccer team knocked off Brentsville District 5-1 in the Region II semifinals.

In Ashburn, Fluvanna County’s girls soccer team fell 4-0 to Broad Run in the Region II semifinals.