By Jimmy Thomas
Content Manager/Northern Region
**Click the links to the left, above the video for highlights and a photo gallery from both semifinal games**
Chantilly and Westfield traveled to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center Thursday night in Richmond looking to advance to the Virginia AAA state championship game and force the first all-Northern Region state final in Virginia High School League history.
Such an accomplishment would also have insured one of the Northern Region representatives the area’s first-ever state volleyball championship.
But it was the undefeated — and region’s top-seeded — Chargers whose dreams were shattered in a heart-breaking, five-game loss to Albemarle while the second-seeded Bulldogs moved on with a four-game win over Landstown.
Chantilly, which had not trailed by a game all season, quickly dropped the first two Thursday night games before rallying to take the next two and extending the match. The teams took turns leading in the fifth and final game and then stood locked at 13, but it was the Patriots who eventually prevailed, scoring the match’s final two points to secure a 25-22, 25-20, 19-25, 20-25, 15-13 victory.
Chargers’ junior middle hitter Allison Williams had eight blocks and tied junior outside hitter Samantha Reeves with a team-high 13 kills.
After rooting for its crosstown rival but watching them fall, Westfield walked onto the floor for its semifinal match determined not to suffer the same fate.
“We were cheering for them,” said Bulldog senior and Northern Region Player of the Year Sammy Spees. “They are a district team so we wanted them to win. After watching them, we really tried hard to use it as a positive.
“We play for us but we are also a part of a good district with great teams so we are representing them when we play.”
Westfield dropped the first game, but rebounded to sweep the next three and take the match 23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-22.
Spees finished with a match-high 17 kills while sophomore Emily Kohler added 14.
With the win, Westfield became only the second Northern Region team to reach the finals; Langley did so just a year ago.
“All year long this team has worked so hard and never complained,” Westfield Coach Jim Bour said. “They stick together and good things happen to players who care about their teammates. That is what has driven us this far.
“Now we go enjoy this for about 24-hours and then get back to work.”
Westfield will play Albemarle for the state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Siegel Center.
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