The Shadow
FISHERSVILLE, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany Cougars earned their spot in the Region 3C championship match Monday night, pulling away for a 3-1 semifinal victory on the road. Alleghany controlled the match late, winning by scores of 25-22, 17-25, 25-12, 25-15. With the win, the Cougars advance to face top-seeded Liberty Christian in Lynchburg for the regional title.
The opening two sets were tight throughout, with both teams finding rhythm early. Wilson used an early 4-0 run in the first set to build a 12-8 advantage, but Alleghany settled in and answered. Behind a stretch of strong swings from Taylor Stayton and Allyson Cottrell, the Cougars strung together seven straight points to reclaim a 15-12 lead.
Wilson briefly moved back in front, 22-20, before Alleghany closed the door. Senior outside hitter Hannah Hensley took over late, delivering three kills in the final five points to secure the first set, 25-22.
Wilson responded in the second set with their strongest run of the match, using kills from Estee Irving and steady serving to pull away from a 15-15 tie and win 25-17, evening the match at one set apiece.
From there, the Cougars’ intensity lifted.
Alleghany opened the third set with a 6-1 lead and, after Wilson briefly trimmed the deficit to one, the Cougars surged. Setter Kendra Dressler continuously put the Alleghany hitters in rhythm, and Hensley again sparked momentum, delivering three straight kills to stretch the lead to 15-7. The Cougars controlled the pace the rest of the way, dominating 25-12.
The fourth set belonged entirely to Alleghany after a 6-6 deadlock. Cottrell and Hensley each found clean lanes at the net during a decisive 9-0 Cougar run that put Wilson on its heels for good. Alleghany closed strong and took the set 25-15 to finish the match.
Dressler led the Cougars’ offense with a strong performance, distributing 47 assists and adding 10 digs. Hensley powered the attack with 21 kills, while Cottrell added 10 kills of her own. Defensively, Navaeh Forbes and Maddy Lowry each posted 11 digs, while Kylie Forbes and Dressler chipped in with 10 digs apiece.
Alleghany now turns its focus to the Region 3C championship — and a chance to bring home a title.
