Greenbrier West has been a dominant force in Region 3 Class A volleyball going on six years now.
Over that span the Cavaliers have made six straight appearances in the state tournament, captured five straight sectional crowns and won three out of the last four regional titles.
However, amongst all of the success, one thing has eluded Greenbrier West and that is winning a match at the state tournament.
Wednesday morning the Cavaliers get another shot at that elusive prize when they battle Moorefield at 8:30 a.m. at the WVSSAC State Volleyball Tournament inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Head coach Cindy Nutter is confident her girls can get the job done this time around.
“The team plays really well together and all around the girls get a long really well,” Nutter said. “The seniors have really stepped up and been the leaders for this team. They are all just a really good group of athletes.”
The well-rounded Cavaliers have two big swings on the outside in junior all-stater Kadie O”Dell and sophomore hitter Preslee Treadway.
“Last year at this time we didn’t have Preslee. We had her for a little bit last year, but by the end of the season she was in surgery (for an illness) and couldn’t be there. It has been a big plus having her all season long,” Nutter said. “They both played really well in the regional matches Saturday. Kadie absolutely wales on that ball.”
O’Dell was a standout at he state tournament last year and Nutter expects that to be an advantage for her this year, as well as the bigger part of the team
“The fact that we have been there and done this for so long helps us to get to know the other officials and know how they call the matches,” Nutter said. “We know what to expect. Every year that these girls have been in school, they have been to the state tournament.”
One of the senior leaders for Greenbrier West is middle hitter Meagan Poticher. Poticher as always been a blocking force, but she is now keeping opposing defenses honest with her swing.
“During one of the sectional games against Charleston Catholic she had six blocks,” Nutter said. “We kept telling her to hit the ball. Now she takes the pressure off our outside hitters. Most blockers are going to try and set up on the outside hitters. When you have Meagan in the middle, they have to put somebody in front of her or she will put it down.”
Nutter also pointed the the inspired play from seniors Michaela Alley and Desteney Walker as big keys to the success this year for the Cavaliers.
Walker was used as a setter before this year. This year she wanted to move to a defensive specialist where she has shined according to her coach.
“Michaela has been hitting outside for us and she has really been hitting well. She reads the floor well and she is really good on defense,” Nutter said. “Desteney has an excellent serve and she can spot serve. She is more comfortable as a defensive specialist. She knows what to do when she is behind the blocker and she covers the floor really well. She has really good passes and is doing what she wants to do.”
Allison Dunn has given West another versatile hitter having played all three positions at the net, while sophomore Megan Griffith has been strong at the service line.
The engine that keeps the Cavaliers humming is setter Riley Robertson. Robertson has been solid all year, but has also raised her game to match the postseason environment. In regional wins over River View and James Monroe, the junior standout recorded 78 assists.
“Riley is doing really well. I could not ask for a better setter. No matter what the pass looks like, she is going to get that ball in play somewhere,” Nutter said. “She has excelled in that position and she will get it to a hitter. She knew coming from the middle school that that was the spot she wanted and she has put in the time to get better.”
The Cavaliers have depth as well with a couple of players that come off the bench to add some much needed punch. They are also two names to keep an eye on in the the future.
“I have two good hitters that come off the bench. Abigail Thomas played really well at the Coalfield Conference tournament. She is an excellent middle,” Nutter said. “Ava Price will come in on the right side and for a freshman, she has some of the best blocking hands that I have seen.”
While Nutter is confident in her team, she says her team will not take the Yellow Jackets lightly.
“Moorefield does a lot of single blocking which hopefully will favor our hitters,” Nutter said. “There defense, however, looks really good and they move on the floor really well. If they see a hole, that is where they will try to put the ball.”
The winner of the match will advance to the semifinal round Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. where it will meet the winner between No. 1 seed and defending state champion Williamstown and No. 8 seed Tolsia.
