Sports
Richard Montgomery Volleyball Falls In State Semifinals
Despite loss, players take solace in 'amazing experience'
Richard Montgomery's longest girls volleyball tournament run in nearly 20 years came to an end Monday night in College Park as they fell to defending state champion and undefeated Sherwood in four sets, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 in a state 4A semifinal.
After losing the first set and down 20-11 in the second, RM made a furious rally. They scored eight points in a row, and then a few points later tied the game at 23. Back-to-back kills by Judy Fan, and a clinching kill by Melanie English gave the Rockets the set, only the second set lost by Sherwood this year—both to RM.
“We took the momentum from them and ran with it,” senior Jackie Nelligan said. “We had the momentum in the second set, and most of the third set, but couldn't quite finish in that third set.”
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The Rockets took a 12-6 lead in the third set. However, Sherwood mounted a rally of their own, eventually winning the set 25-20. The Warriors won the final set 25-17, despite another late rally by RM. The Warriors were led by junior standout Alex Holston, who had 27 kills.
“The big stage was something they had to adjust to,” Richard Montgomery coach Elmer Matlock said. “Overall, we played well, we didn't give up, and we kept trying until the end.”
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Despite the disappointing loss, the players were thrilled to have the opportunity to play at Ritchie Coliseum at the University of Maryland.
“It's surreal,” junior Emily Jiang said. “I didn't think we'd make it this far this year. I knew we'd be a good team, but I never thought we'd be playing at Ritchie.”
“It's just an amazing experience,” Nelligan added. “I've been working for this for four years, and I never thought I'd be playing at Ritchie and we pulled it off.”
Junior Melanie English contributed four solo blocks, including a pair against Holston.
“It was very special for me to do that and have this experience,” English said. “I certainly didn't think I'd do anything important at Ritchie.”
Sherwood will defend their state title when they face Arundel in the state finals on Saturday night.
