Middletown volleyball falls short on Senior Night against TJ

November 4, 2009  
Filed under Sports Archives

By Brittany Holian
Round Table reporter

The Knights lost a tough four-game match against the TJ Patriots in their final game of the season on Thursday at home.

“TJ has been a dominate force in Frederick Country volleyball.  I was hoping, as a team, we would be able to fight hard, put them back in their place, and re-establish Middletown as a powerhouse,” said Ashley Higgenbothem. 

The Patriots came into the match with a record of 11-2 and Middletown with a record of 9-4.  The Knights were pumped from the five game win against Century the week before, and were “ready to get a jump-start into playoffs,” said Higgenbothem.

Seniors Rachel Russo, Levita Feaster, Jenna Hoffman, Kara Henson, and Casey Smith started the first game.  The Knights took an early lead, 9-6 but TJ’s tough servers and consistent hits tied the game at 12-12.  TJ won the first game 25-17.

“Although we lost the first game, we were ready to come back strong the second,” said senior Kara Henson. In the second game, the Knights struggled with passing and the Patriots won 25-18.

Game three held more promise as senior Levita Feaster was a force at the net with a block and a kill.  The Knights took the lead early, corrected passing errors, and beat the Patriots 25-15.

In the start of the fourth game, TJ lead 9-5, but later sophomore Ashley Park-Brouse contributed a pair of aces to bring the Knights within one point.

However, Middletown fell behind again 14-22.  Kills by junior Mattie Smith made the score 16-22, but TJ still managed to win the last game 25-16.

The Knights now prepare for their first playoff game Nov. 5 against Rockville at home.