Norfolk Academy volleyball team finish successful season
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Academy’s varsity volleyball players circled before the game, linking pinkies, promising to each other that they would leave everything on the court. Enthusiastic cheers from the ‘Dawg Pound’ rang through Burroughs Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs were facing Cox, a formidable opponent, in a big early fall match; nevertheless, they remained poised yet aggressive, unlocking a level of play that they had never reached before. They swept the powerful Falcons in three sets.
NA’s varsity volleyball team chose the word “unfinished” as its motto for the fall season. That referred to making progress from the year before, when the Bulldogs swept the TCIS Tournament but were defeated at the state semifinals.
Not only did the team have more work to do this year on the court but also as young women in athletics. “Unfinished” also was a way to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX legislation, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities. Although it was a stride in the right direction, the team agreed more still needs to be done as a nation.
The student-athletes rose to the occasion.
Alden Roberts was voted TCIS Player of the Year and AVCA Best and Brightest, hitting a major milestone of 1,000 career assists early in the season. Reagan McGee made TCIS First Team and was voted MVP of TCIS Conference Tournament, accruing the most kills for the team during the season, 305. Olivia Mize, the libero, recorded 750 digs during her four seasons. Peyton McGee, a sophomore, made TCIS First Team and finished the season with the most aces, 69. Coach Trish Hopkins won TCIS Coach of the Year for the second time in a row and earned a top state coaching honor.
All of these individual parts came together to make history. For the first time ever, Norfolk Academy made it to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I Volleyball Championship.
The Bulldogs started strong in the championship match, taking a set from Flint Hill, ranked 24th in the entire nation. However, the Huskies began to catch up as the match progressed. Still, NA never lost its relentless pursuit of the ball and stayed neck and neck the entire time. NA was the only team all season to win a set against Flint Hill.
Among the other season highlights: A 27-4 record; 319 aces; 1,042 kills; 100 successful blocks; 990 assists and 1,142 digs. The Bulldogs were regular season TCIS champions and won their second straight TCIS Tournament title.
After the season, Roberts considered what she thought led to the success.
“Our team’s connection, trust and communication on the court were so impressive, coming from the countless hours we spent on the court together,” she said. “More technically, our aggressive serving and multidimensionality as players made us truly special. These aspects prompted the entire school to be invested and excited in our progress.”
The team gave every school that stepped onto the court a dog fight. The athletes dove for every ball, put power behind every kill, even lost their voices from cheering one another.
Roberts said, and her teammates agreed – this team was one of a kind.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
