Doesn’t Happen Very Often: Colonels Win Volleyball Match

It was “Pack The Gym Night” and more than 200 people, including the likes of William Fleming High School Principal Gene Jones, Roanoke City School Deputy Superintendent Curt Baker and Fleming Athletic Director Matt Kesler, were in attendance cheering last Thursday night. Their support and that of many other loyal fans didn’t go unnoticed – and the Lady Colonels claimed their first volleyball match win since 2008 with a 25-22, 17-25, 25-19 and 25-13 Western Valley District win over visiting George Washington-Danville.

“Oh wow, could this really be happening?” first-year coach Teri Craig was thinking. That was at the point where the Colonels had won two sets and only needed one more for a game win.

The player’s nerves from both schools could be felt in the stands as the crowd yelled louder, hoping to boost their WFHS team forward.  Between plays the bench continued to cheer for their teammates. Coach Craig wanted to motivate the girls with one last challenge: “I’ve already met my goal (working on the player’s techniques), now you meet yours.”

During the deciding game the serve went back and forth until senior Sheena Petty scored four more points, resulting in a GW Danville time out.  When play started again Petty scored three more and Fleming then took the last set, winning 25-13. Seniors Briana Cabbler, Lara Turner, Petty and TíNisha Taylor celebrated their first career win as other teammates screamed and hugged each other, finally savoring a win.

“I know these talented girls have it in them,” said Craig,.Practice after practice and game after game, Craig said she watched the skills improve. In the huddle the Colonels heard Craig encourage them: “I can teach you the plays and help make you a team, but now it’s up to you.”

Turner led the Colonels (1-15, 1-4 WVD after the match) with 12 kills, 12 digs and three blocks. Cabbler had 27 digs, 13 assists and six aces; Taylor Wright tallied seven digs and five kills, while Petty added 15 digs.

Following the match, coach “T”, as she is referred to by her players, contacted four very important people in her volleyball life, including David Turk, the former Salem High School volleyball coach, former Northside High School coach Donna Culicerto, Cave Spring High School Head Volleyball Coach Tamalyn Tanis and Kendall Scott, a JV volleyball player at Cave Spring.

Scott, a Cave Spring junior varsity volleyball player, writes a daily blog. “How amazing would that feel (regarding the win) to be the one who smacked the ball down for game point, or to be the one who set that ball, or the one who passed it to the setter?” wrote Scott. “Or even better, how would it feel to be the one who taught those beautiful girls how to do all of it?”  Said Craig: “reading those wonderful words …brought me to tears.”