For the better part of the past decade, the Patrick Henry Patriots volleyball program has been the gold standard in the Western Valley District. Winners of the last three district titles, the Patriots boast an even more impressive streak: since head coach Patti Sheedy took over 11 seasons ago, the team has not failed to reach the regional playoffs.
Talk about excellence. And, if history is any indication, 2009 will not be much different, either. However, if the Patriots are to capture a fourth consecutive district championship, and another berth in the regional tournament, it will be a much younger group that leads the way.
“We’re a more youth-driven team this season,” Sheedy, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, said of her squad. Among their primary rotation of players there are four underclassmen, including two freshmen starters. “Because of that, we’ve had a little bit of inconsistency so far due to the youth. But it’s just them learning to play on the varsity level. It’s a big step up from middle school, for sure.”
The freshmen have some pretty big shoes to fill. They replace the Patriots’ two best players from last season – Jenny Young, who now plays at Catawba College in North Carolina, and Laura Jessee, now at Oberlin College in Ohio. “They were definitely our two best players last year,” Sheedy said of the graduates.
Still, there is plenty of experience and talent remaining on the roster, including junior Liz Brailsford, an outside hitter, and Tori Ledford, who plays libero for the Patriots, and is regarded by her coach as one of the best defenders on the team. “She’s become a leader on and off the court,” Sheedy said.
Through two games this season, the Patriots are 1-1, defeating Bassett High School 3-1 last week, and falling by the same score to Osbourn Park Tuesday evening. On Thursday, the Patriots will get a good early test when they take on Hidden Valley, projected by many to be the best volleyball team in the Roanoke Valley in 2009.
Ultimately, despite the youthful roster, Sheedy expects her team to finish the season where it normally does – on top. After all, a winning program like the one she has built does have its advantages.
“We have high expectations, and because we’ve done so well in the past, no one wants to be a part of the team that doesn’t win the district, or doesn’t get to regionals,” Sheedy said. “The younger players have a great situation, and they have a lot of good players around them to help make them better.
By Matt Reeve [email protected]
