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Monday, Sept. 11 -- The Rockbridge County High School volleyball team came from behind to record a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fort Defiance in a non-district matchup in Lexington.
Sophie Vaught totaled 22 kills and three aces as the Wildcats (10-1) claimed a 22-25, 27-25, 20-25, 25-14, 15-12 win. Maddie Dahl recorded 17 kills, 20 digs and a pair of blocks for RC, while McKenzie Burch racked up 47 assists, 23 digs and five kills, and Nala Shearer amassed 51 digs.
Maecy Frizzelle paced the Indians (5-5) with 21 kills and three blocks. Trinity Hedrick added 17 kills and two aces for Fort, and Carleyanne Ryder finished with 42 assists and four kills.
RC led 21-17 late in a back-and-forth first set, only to see the Indians close the frame on an 8-1 run that featured two kills apiece from Hedrick and Ella Shreckhise.
But the Wildcats turned the tables in the second frame. Trailing 24-21, RC fought off three set points, going on to even up the match in extras. Vaught had six kills in the set, including the clincher.
Another late run in the third set allowed Fort to take a 2-1 lead in the contest. The 'Cats held a 19-18 edge before the Indians scored seven of the last eight points, getting two kills and an ace from Shreckhise to close things out.
RC dominated the fourth set, reeling off an astounding -- and decisive -- 16-0 run with Shearer behind the service line. Dahl came to life in the stanza, notching six kills and both of her blocks to help the Wildcats extend the match.
RC built up a 9-5 lead in the final set, but Fort answered with a 4-0 spurt. The teams then traded seven straight sideouts before Dahl and Vaught came up with huge swings on consecutive points to make it 14-12. Vaught then finished off the match with her 22nd kill.
Sophia Perlozzo chipped in 12 kills for the Wildcats, and Rebekah Allen tallied 21 digs. Shreckhise finished with 13 kills for Fort, and Savannah Crookshanks recorded five kills.
RC will play host to Valley District foe East Rockingham on Tuesday, starting with the junior varsity contest at 5:30 p.m.
