Elder’s versatility paved way to title

Albemarle’s 2004 volleyball squad struggled.
A lot.
The Patriots posted the worst record — 13-9 — in head coach Mark Ragland’s career that season, a tenure that spans 21 years.
Then-freshmen Kara Elder, Laura Gomez and Sara Deal were a little frustrated by the string of losses, particularly because they had at least one lofty goal in mind.
“Our goal was to be state champions one year,” Elder said. “Our freshman year kind of brought us down — it was rough.”
So that group of young Albemarle players went to work. Gomez and Elder started going to a personal trainer, nearly everyone played club volleyball in some capacity and the Patriots made sure they improved in order to make that goal a reality.
Four years later, they’re the reigning Group AAA state champions. They gave Ragland his worst record and his first state title.
And Elder, the quiet but ferocious outside hitter, is a major reason why. Already an All-Northwest Region selection, a state champion and the school’s record holder for kills in a season, Elder can add The Daily Progress’ 2008 Central Virginia Player of the Year award to her list of accolades.
Elder led the state champions with a school record-setting 382 kills, led them in attack percentage and passing and serve receive. She had the squad’s third-most aces and blocks as well, flashing an all-around game all year that helped put the Patriots in contention.
But it was what she and
the rest of the senior class did in the playoffs that made for some particularly special memories for a player that has been around Albemarle volleyball for 11 years while her older sisters Megan and Ashley (the 2004 Central Virginia Player of the Year) matriculated through the Patriots’ program.
After a miracle run for a team that didn’t even win their own district after succumbing to Colonial Forge three times, the Patriots rolled into the state’s final four.
Then in the state final, after ending unbeaten Chantilly’s dream season in the semifinal, Albemarle knocked off Westfield 3-1 behind Elder’s 20 kills and three blocks.
“Sometimes I just still can’t even believe we did it,” Elder said.
It was clearly the pinnacle moment in the senior’s career, and, along with the rest of her teammates, Elder screamed and yelled and celebrated after the final point. But yelling and screaming isn’t usually the first thing on Elder’s agenda. She was more of a quiet, consistent presence for the Patriots.
“She leads by example,” said Gomez, one of Elder’s best friends. “Even when I was in eighth grade, she was so good and I looked up to her so much—I wanted to be as good as her. She pushes me every day.”
Elder’s quiet nature isn’t from any lack of passion or excitement about the game — far from it.
When she was in fourth grade, her parents suggested she try out for the junior Olympic program, just to see if she liked it. It didn’t take long before she was hooked.
“That’s when I just fell in love with the game,” Elder said.
Elder found a way to lead though, with some encouragement from Ragland, who let her know early on that because of her talent she was going to be a natural leader whether she wanted the role or not. Slowly, but surely, Elder found her niche. 
“Her teammates love her to death because she’s always supporting them and encouraging them,” Ragland said. “She has that quiet side to her but she has that personality that people really appreciate as well.”
Her emergence as a leader likely won’t soon be forgotten in a program that prides itself on its family atmosphere and keeping alumni involved. Elder did help spark the Patriots to their first title.
Even if they did have to take some knocks early to get there.