GREENBELT – The Eleanor Roosevelt High School volleyball team could not take advantage of playing on their home court and hold on to an early led as they lose to Winston Churchill High School in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16, in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) state quarterfinals on Nov. 8.
The Raiders held an early 18-14 lead in the first set when Colette Youstra began to serve for Churchill. Her serve caused problems for Roosevelt and lead to nine straight points for the visitors. Churchill recaptured the lead and never looked back, using their height advantage at the net to score more points.
Outside hitter Jourdan Page tried to keep the Raiders in the game with five of the team’s nine kills. However, Roosevelt was unable to get their aces going which was a major part of their offense all season, according to Head Coach Scott Fifield.
Libero Nyla Howell racked up an impressive 11 digs but it was not enough to stop Churchill from making to the state semifinals.
Roosevelt finished the season winning their third straight regional title but unable to surpass their hurdles outside of Prince George’s County. The Lady Raiders have not won a state title since 2001 and will be without Page next season who led the team with 168 kills.
However, Fifield said he hopes with only four seniors leaving due to graduation, Roosevelt can bounce back and try again next year.
“Volleyball is a game of momentum and Churchill had grabbed it,” Fitfield said.” It’s a disappointing end to the season since we felt like we were facing an opponent that we could beat and we wanted to return to the state semifinals for the third straight season.”
In other volleyball action, DuVal High School won their regional title but lost in the state quarterfinal match in straight sets against Dulaney on Nov. 8. The Tigers finish the year with their first 4A regional title in school history and their first volleyball trophy since their state title in 1980.
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