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November 14, 2009

Big Reds eliminate Woodrow

By Dan Stillwell

CHARLESTON — After wreaking havoc on East Fairmont in the first round of the state tournament Friday, Woodrow Wilson counted on another command performance from its hitters in the semifinals against Parkersburg.

It didn’t happen.

The Flying Eagles were more good for sparks than fireworks in a 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 25-16 loss that put the Big Reds into the today’s Class AAA final against Spring Valley.

“They fought hard, but they just didn’t have their ‘A’ game on,” veteran coach Shirley Brown said of her team. “I’m disappointed.”

Although inconsistent, Woodrow (33-15-4) had looked good at times in a 25-10, 18-25, 29-27 and 25-19 win over East Fairmont earlier in the day.

Outside hitters Jasmine Woods, Shaitece Trigg and Emily Wright, and middle hitters Denae Williams and Anne Patterson pounded the ball in much of that contest.

It was a different story against Parkersburg (46-9-3), where the Big Reds’ smaller but hustling front line rejected numerous Woodrow hits while finding just the right angles to the floor with their own spikes.

Hitter Emily Patterson stepped up big for the Big Reds, getting 14 hits in the contest.

Woodrow’s Trigg had eight, while Woods had seven and Williams six.

“We weren’t jumping and swinging like we normally do,” Brown said. “The blocks just weren’t there today, and what we were counting on were blocks and hits.”

Woodrow stayed close much of the time due to strong defensive play in the back.

“Shaitece picked up a lot in the back, and I was highly impressed with (defender) Emily Ernest,” Brown said. “For a freshman in her first time at the state tournament, she came in and did a dynamic job.”

She thought the Flying Eagles were their own worst enemy.

“Parkersburg has a good, strong, consistent team, but all in all, we beat ourselves more than we got beat,” Brown said.

Woodrow bore down on East Fairmont in the final game to forge the quarterfinal victory.

The Flying Eagles had led 10-3 early and then received six strong serves for points from Brantlee Wood to make it 21-11.

East Fairmont rebounded with seven consecutive service points from Aurianna Shay to cut the deficit to 21-19.

Shay’s eighth serve went into the net, and Woodrow got a kill from Patterson, a strong block from Woods and a final kill from Wright to capture the match.

The Flying Eagles will return all but one player next season. Setter Krista Motley is the team’s sole senior.

“We’re a young team. We start two freshmen and two sophomores,” Brown said.

“We’ll be back at states next year. I have no doubt.”

— E-mail: dstillwell@

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