The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

High School Sports

Related Photos

  • Capital’s Mallory Burka, right, tries to block Greenbrier East’s Abby Brown during their Class AAA Region 3 semifinal match Saturday in Beckley. The Spartans begin state tournament play Friday against Parkersburg. F. Brian Ferguson

    1107Volleyball
November 7, 2012

Spartans feeling confident

Greenbrier East to begin state tournament play Friday

By Dan Stillwell Register-Herald Sports Writer

Greenbrier East came away with more than a loss from Saturday’s Class AAA Region 3 volleyball tournament.

The Spartans gained confidence, coach Matt Sauvage said, from their 3-0 defeat at the hands of state tournament favorite George Washington.

“The first game (25-12) was a letdown, and left a lot for the girls to get back into,” Sauvage said. “But skill-wise, the last two games (25-19, 25-20) we were able to play with them, and the girls realized that.”

By finishing as Region 3 runner-up, East advanced to this week’s state tournament, Friday and Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center.

The Spartans had defeated Woodrow Wilson in five games the day before in the Section 2 final, and had beaten Capital in three games in the regional semifinals.

“Capital stepped up, but we played very well,” Sauvage said. “We didn’t play our greatest against GW, but the potential is there.

“I think the girls are more confident now than they’ve been all year. They’re really relaxed and ready to play. The pressure is off them now.”

East (41-8-3) will face Parkersburg (42-13-1) at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the state quarterfinals. Parkersburg was ranked No. 4 in the final state poll, while the Spartans were No. 5.

Sauvage thinks the match will be a toss-up.

“We watched game film today and I think we’re right there with them,” he said. “It’s just who shows up that day. They’re a good team, but we’re a good team ourselves.”

Although not blessed with team height, the Spartans play with skill, aggressiveness at the net and hustle in the back row.

Katie Shaver, a 5-foot-11 junior and three-year starter, and Kaitlyn Mize, a 6-foot freshman, are the middles. Shaver averages 3.3 kills and 0.5 block per game.

The outside hitters are small in stature, 5-9 or less, but powerful.

Abby Brown, a 5-8 sophomore, leads the team with 536 kills, 4.7 per game. A versatile player, she also has 332 digs (2.9).

Haley Carey has 124 kills, while right-side hitter and three-year starter Ellen Henthorn has 197 kills and 89 service aces. Reserve Storrie Sherwood has a 34.2 percent kill percentage.

“We’re not that tall, but we play above the net as good as any team in the state,” Sauvage said.

The Spartans are also solid in other positions. Setter Laura Baker has 1,139 assists, or 9.9 per game, and a 97.4 serving percentage.

“That serving percentage is the highest I’ve ever had,” Sauvage said. “She’s hit something like 124 straight serves.”

 Libero Cassie Ford, a three-year starter, has 788 digs, and defensive specialists Abby Morgan and Olivia Talbott have 110 and 57 digs, respectively.

“This is probably the best team I’ve had at turning defense into offense at a very fast pace,” Sauvage said. “We rely on defense, blocking and passing.

“They’re very quick with sets and hits. We have to do a lot of quick things, rather than overpowering someone.”

It’s the second time Sauvage has taken the Spartans to states in his seven years as head coach. The personal milestone means little to him.

“I get so excited and emotional for the girls. I coach for them,” he said. “I want them to have an experience they’ll remember all their lives.

“I am so proud of them. They know their roles and there are no issues. I couldn’t ask for anybody better to coach. It’s not just the wins, it’s everything. It’s been an awesome year.”

— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com

Text Only
High School Sports
  • 052213 woodrow Woodrow downs defending AAA champs

    It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
    It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052213 indy No repeat for Warriors

    Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
    The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • ’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies

    Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
    Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory.

    May 21, 2013

  • Cordell pitches PikeView past Knights

    May 21, 2013

  • indy Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup

    The matchup many people expected will take place today.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots

    Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.

    May 21, 2013

  • Confident Mavs headed to states

    From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.

    May 21, 2013

  • rakes Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers

    The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • clifton Clifton wins prestigious Ohio tournament

    From now on, maybe Cody Clifton should pay absolutely zero attention to who’s who in West Virginia high school wrestling.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • edwards Same result, different meanings for rivals

    Second place had entirely different meanings for two local track and field standouts Saturday in Charleston.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo