Late in the first game Wednesday in the Maryland state semifinals, Sherwood setter Kerry Collins glanced at the Warriors’ bench, nodded and cracked a knowing smile.
She just knew.
It was still early against perennial Anne Arundel County powerhouse Broadneck, but Collins’ demeanor told her teammates that they were on their way to the state championship match.
And Collins followed up her reassuring glance by quarterbacking the Warriors to a stunningly-decisive, 25-10, 25-13, 25-17, victory over a team making its seventh straight appearance in the state semifinals and gunning for its fourth championship in six years.
“We have so much confidence right now,” said outside hitter Claire Kodan. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We know what we have to do. We don’t let the environment get to us.”
Sherwood (17-1) will try to win the school’s first state volleyball championship when it plays in the 4A title game. Sherwood will face the winner of last night’s Damascus-Flowers game.
Against Broadneck (16-2) Wednesday night, Sherwood looked unbeatable as Collins (29 assists) fed a trio of potent hitters. Senior lefty Dana Ward (6 kills) was scrappy and on target. Senior Claire Kodan (7 kills) was explosive. And senior Katie Obal (15 kills) was alternately powerful and crafty, mixing boomers and dinks to befuddle the Bruins.
“Having that versatile attack at the net — all 30 feet, makes us confident we can put the ball anywhere we want,” said Sherwood first-year coach Tim Gilchrist. “Having that versatility prevents teams from getting streaks.”
Sherwood dominated the first game from the start. When Broadneck took a 7-3 lead in the second game behind senior Ali Malesick (10 kills), the Warriors responded with an eight-point serving run by Kodan to resume control. After Obal had a seven-point serving run early in the third game, Sherwood was never seriously challenged.
“We knew Broadneck was good,” said Obal. “But we just came pumped. We were so ready.”
Warrior queens
» Sherwood served brilliantly, missing only one of 75.
» Sherwood senior libero Kelly Abramson excelled on the back line.
» Sherwood’s only other appearance in the state final four came in 1995 when the Warriors lost to Northern-Calvert in the title match.
