They were down by two games and saw their championship hopes slipping away. Maybe it was nerves. Maybe Georgetown Visitation was just playing that well. The reasons didn’t matter to Stone Ridge’s volleyball team. The Gators just needed a turnaround. Fast.
That’s exactly what they got in an Independent Schools League A Division matchup at home on Tuesday evening.
Thanks to some stellar serving and strong play at the net Stone Ridge rallied for a thrilling 15-25, 17-25, 25-17, 25-22, 17-15 victory over the Cubs.
The Gators (9-5, 8-3 ISL) clinched at least a co-championship with Episcopal and National Cathedraland could still win the title outright if either of those teams loses another game against an A division opponent.
“We came out a little stressed. I know I did at least,” said Stone Ridge junior Elissa Goeke, who finished with 18 kills, nine blocks and two aces.
“We just had to relax and play our game. Winning that banner is something we knew was possible for us this year.”
Stone Ridge settled down in the third game. But the Gators were in serious trouble in the fourth, trailing 18-10. A solid service turn from sophomore libero Justine Desmond, who recorded two aces and set up several other points during that stretch, helped turn the momentum. Stone Ridge won 15 of the last 19 points in that game.
“But even at that point everything was definitely still up in the air,” said senior setter Jocelyn Wascher, who recorded four aces. “It really helped us when we realized that we had nothing to lose.”
Net notes
» Georgetown Visitation fell to 6-4 overall, 3-2 in the ISL A Division. Not only did the Cubs lose a 2-0 lead, but they also had match point in the fifth game when up 15-14.
» Stone Ridge junior Elissa Goeke, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, recorded three straight kills to finish out the match for the Gators.
» Junior Renee Green had eight kills, four blocks and three aces for Stone Ridge. Junior Ashleigh Johnson had five blocks at right outside hitter.
