Ritchie netters ready for redemption

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PARKERSBURG - The story lines will be plentiful in Class AA when the state volleyball tournament gets under way early Friday inside the Charleston Civic Center.

For a team like Tolsia, the Rebels could make a quick exit from the big show unless head coach Larry Castle's squad knocks out Frankfort, which eliminated now two-time defending Little Kanawha Conference champion Ritchie County in the state quarterfinals last year. Tolsia, at state for the first time, takes on the Falcons in an opening round 8:30 a.m. battle.

"At the present time we are in the elite eight and can only go higher. We are in uncharted territory," Castle said.

Ritchie County isn't in uncharted waters. The Rebels of first-year head coach Katrina White knows it takes too much work to let opportunities like 2008 slip away again.

The Rebels from Ellenboro open with Summers County, a match which should get under way around 3 p.m.

"It's kind of like March Madness," White said of the two-day state tournament where teams are seeking three more wins. "Anybody is beatable on any given night and it's all about who shows up and who wants it.

"The kids have been working hard and had some good practices early this week and that's all you can ask for."

What coach White was asking for on Saturday at Tyler Consolidated was just a couple more points in the regional final against defending state champion Oak Glen.

"In that third game we were ahead 23-22 and just couldn't close it out," White said of falling in five sets to coach Ethel Riser's Golden Bears.

"We just had too many unforced errors and missed serves. That's the first time we've seen them."

If Ritchie County (35-5-2) wins Friday afternoon, the team then plays around 8 p.m. against either Wayne or Philip Barbour. The Colts are winless in three tries against Ritchie County.

Oak Glen, awaiting the winner of Frankfort/Tolsia if coach Riser's team eliminates Liberty (Raleigh), has played the favorite role this year. With a 35-6-2 mark that includes zero losses against double-A competition, coach Riser has been pleased with her team. It also doesn't hurt to have a senior class that includes Mackenzie Bailey, Emily McElhaney and Rainelle Dunlevy, the latter of which is a returning first team all-state pick.

"I think it was less expected this year because I graduated six senior starters," Riser said of what to date has been a solid season. "It sort of dwindles you down.

"We had one full-time starter back from last year in Rainelle and our other two seniors just played black row a little here and there."

The Golden Bears use five other players in their rotation - two freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors.

"I hate being number one," admitted Riser. "There's always people wanting to knock you down.

"It's more fun not coming into it number one like last year. Now we are on the defensive wherever we go. Anything can happen."

No matter what happens for Ritchie County, Rebel seniors Tabitha Ezell, Brittnay Spencer, Leandra Villers, Whitney Boston and Alaina Sellers have few matches left in their careers.

A huge aid to the team is dangerous hitter Allison DeLancey, who picked up first team all-state accolades as a freshman last season.

"That's what we are shooting for," White said when asked about trying to obtain the Rebels' second state title in school history. "We don't want to overlook anybody at this point in the season.

"It's our goal to be there, but it's our goal to get through that 3 o'clock match to get to the 8 o'clock game."