by Brennan Waldorf
Nandua volleyball falls in back-to-back games at home to open the season.
The Warriors kick-started their season with a home loss to Holy Grove falling behind after splitting the first two sets with the Eagles (17-25, 25- 16, 16-25, 22-25). Lyric Sampson led the way for the Warriors recoding six blocks at the net while also delivering three kills. Shelby Zink and Harley McNure would lead their Eagles team to victory with both recording four kills and a block.
The Warriors who went 15-7 last year and lost in the regional quarter retired six seniors. Five out of those six were starters including standouts Baylee Justis and Gena Pryor who moved on to play at the collegiate level.
This year Nandua has a lot of young talent with seven new players on the varsity squad. The only returning starter the Warrior squad has is 2018 Libero of the year Necole Stravino. With all that young talent developing team chemistry will be vital for the Warriors this season. “Because we have so many new players, we are working on trust and playing together as a team,” said head coach Le’Andra Metzger.
The Warrior squad got back in to action on Sept. 10 this week against Greenbrier Christian. They fell in three close sets (24-26, 10-25, 22-25) as the Gators’ Rachel Castine delivered 12 kills and Tori Mills served nine Aces on the young Warrior squad. Abigail Killmon had 8 kills, Deanna Pryor served 6 aces and 2 digs, Alana Shea delivered 2 aces and 8 assists, and Necole Stavino with 1 ace and 10 digs. Nandua will open up district play Thursday, Sept. 12 at Chincoteague high before traveling to The Endless Summer tournament being held at the Virginia Field House Sept. 14.
