Fairfax High Volleyball Team Stays Competitive in Liberty District

Club level volleyball has expanded throughout Northern Virginia over the past decade and local high schools have benefited from the increase in talented and experienced players now available. One of those schools is Fairfax High. Varsity coach Christine Zanellato said she is thrilled to have the most club players she has ever had on her 2011 roster.

The Rebels are young this season with one sophomore, six juniors and two seniors on the varsity squad. Still, Fairfax has performed with dominance at times throughout the early season, sweeping the opposition in all five of their victories. However, they have also been swept in four out of their five losses as well. On Monday, Zanellato's team battled it out in a heart stopper in its first district match against McLean in five sets, losing 3-2. 

"We had a tough loss to McLean in our first district match. We have never lost to them. We are still figuring out how to compete at a consistent level all the time," Zanellato said. "We're a really young team, very talented individually and were trying to find how to pull everything together as a team."

The Rebels stormed out early against the Highlanders, winning the first two sets easily. Then McLean won three in a row to steal the victory. The coach says the slightest of miscues in this sport will throw any team off its game.

"Volleyball is a game of mistakes," she said. "If you make them and they don't, then you lose. Those are just the rules of the games." 

Zanellato is impressed with the vast amount of talent on her team this season. Senior Diana Hartford has returned but has changed her role on the court to that of setter. Her coach says her team leader sacrificed a lot and has shown great commitment to the Rebels.

Hartford is the most knowledgeable of the sport, Zanellato said. "She has taken on the responsibility as the quarterback of the team. It's a testament to her commitment to the and her willingness to make Fairfax be successful."

Of the juniors, Megan McKenzie has started since her freshman year and stepped up to help lead, along with Hartford in 2011. Zanellato calls McKenzie her "go-to person" adding that she has the knack for making the right play at crucial times during matches.

"She has come into her own. The two of them do a great job managing the team," the coach said.

Zanellato said her team's hardcore power serve and dominant offense have been "lights out" at times this year. But there are still areas she feels need improvement such as defense and serve reception.

"We're a very tough serving team, and we're a tough offensive team if everything is clicking. Megan is unblockable if she's on. She hits high above everybody and hits pretty powerfully. Where we are working the most is getting the pass, serve reception and defense." 

Fairfax plays at T.C. Williams in the "Titan Clash Tournament" at 8 a.m. on Sept. 24.