Let’s start with young Ryan McCafferty of The Carroll News ! Ryan was in the gym last night in Abingdon, and he did a tremendous job covering our Lady Cavaliers like a Homer should. Extra kudos for coloring outside the lines by making the trip up to Glenvar for the big regular season showdown with the Highlanders. That was a special night for the program on a number of fronts !
The second one goes to our Head Coach Cindy Edwards, pictured above in one of her two post-match interviews, the first one being from the Bristol newspaper. This was our sixth year together, and this season might have been her best season of coaching. At least during my time alongside the lady, I like to call a coaching legend.
I joked with Travis Osborne yesterday afternoon before making the drive over to Abingdon, telling him that I didn’t want to go. We were both watching 👀 Maryland versus South Carolina, who were playing over in Paris, France 🇫🇷.
Both clubs are ranked in the Top 20, but the Gamecocks are #1, and Maryland is #20. It doesn’t hurt the heart to watch players that you have no personal relationship with fight a battle against a GIANT.
There were two events taking place last night that mattered to me, and I was 99.9% sure that neither would end well but that doesn’t mean that you pass on the opportunity to support folks that you believe in !
Alyssa Ervin and Furman University played last night down in Tampa, Florida, against a talented University of South Florida Bulls team. 12 months ago, I was in that same gym and watched that team dismantle a Kira Lawson coached team that reached the Elite Eight. Duke could not match the athletic ability of a team that most aren’t familiar with.
Furman University was in for a very long night, but Ervin did what she does, playing a full speed right up till the clock said stop ✋️. The team will play some more tough games, including one down at Auburn University of the SEC, but quite possibly none as tough as last night.
At 6 p.m., the Furman game reached halftime, and the outcome was no longer in doubt ( but we did win the second quarter, 20-19), so the focus shifted over to the volleyball.
I will pause long enough to sneak in a third thank you to EVERYONE, who sat in our section last night ! It was a solid turnout for an early start at a school over 60 minutes away. It was neat to see 👀 that much support for our Lady Cavalier Volleyball program.
Back to the match and the part of the story where I compare Abingdon VB to Dawn Staley and South Carolina Hoops.
The team is the defending Class 3 State Champions, and that squad returned seven seniors.
The only reason why they are the #2 seed behind Christiansburg is the same reason why we were #7 despite winning 19 matches, the size of the schools we compete with. Your district determines most of your regular season schedules, and Abingdon High doesn’t have access to the same level of opponents that the teams in the Roanoke Valley do.
If the Regional tournament plays out as it should, the Championship match should be Must See 👀, with popcorn 🍿.
10, 11, and 13 points were the totals for us in the straight set outcome. But just like her former player was doing down in Tampa against a superior opposition, Edwards continued to coach up our team and they were still swinging, right up until the clock said stop ✋️.
Edwards is as proud of her program as anyone that I have worked with over the years, and it was easy to see the pain in her eyes after the match. After a brief moment with her team in the lockeroom, she returned to the court for two very different interviews and then a brief conversation with her biggest fan.
Pain yes but equally composed and incredibly proud of her / our team, and it showed.
Runner-up in two regular season tournaments.
Runner-up to Glenvar in the Three Rivers District regular season.
7-1 when it came to protecting The Hill
The junior varsity team claimed the district crown 👑 and the majority of those kiddos will look to lace them up next season on the Big Club.
The fourth thank you goes to Michelle Nicholson for all of her assistance this season with my efforts to make things as memorable as possible for the team and their families !
Next, thank you to the players who quite simply have played a great deal of volleyball 🏐 over the past three months. The level of dedication you have shown helped pave the road to success !
To the families for their unconditional love and support, from start to finish !
Big Props to every single former Lady Cavalier Volleyball player who worked the sidelines for any of our three programs. Not counting the two fellas, we had SEVEN former players back to work alongside their / our Coach !
Thanks to our athletic director, Kevin DeHaven, for the honor of hosting his 10 volleyball nights on The Hill. If I’m going to note that we went 9-1 on the season when you add in the two scrimmages, I must add that Ryan McCafferty is 9-0 while covering Seth Greer and the 🏈🏈🏈 Cavaliers ! Please 🙏 make it 10-0 on Friday night.
In a couple of hours, it will be time to make one final trek over to Ferrum College. Another former Lady Cavalier Volleyball player is set to play her final match of her freshman season. Naturally, they will be playing the best team in the Conference Carolinas as UNC – Pembroke comes to town.
There are many that hope Coach Edwards keeps going until she needs help chewing her food. From my point of view, she doesn’t appear to be slowing down much….
Congratulations on an outstanding team and program, Coach !
99 miles down and 99 back seems like a small price to pay for the privilege of being in the Falcons Nest 🪹🪺 tonight for the Regional QF match !
#2 hosting #7….
More 2 follow…
Down in Tampa, Alyssa Ervin and Furman University is warming up ahead of their season opener at the University of South Florida. The tip is set for 5 p.m., so we will have complete first half coverage, thanks to ESPN+!
Entry is $10 cash 💸💰 or $11 credit card!
4:57 – we have Lady Cavalier Volleyball 🏐 in the house 🏠!!!
South Florida 9-0 out of the gate. Last season, I left this same building amazed by the team speed of the Bulls after they roughed up Duke University. There is quick, then there is scary 😨 quick.
15 – 3 down in Tampa
Media TO – down 17 – 5 to the Bulls
27 – 12 at the end of the opening 10 minutes of play. The Bulls have a 13-5 edge in rebounds… [5:29]
5:35 pm – Our Lady Cavaliers are on the court now !
We have some CCHS fans in the building now ! The count is up to six, but everything about today is a tough go. The 6pm start time, elevated prices, and extended drive 🚗 time.
I am very grateful 🙏 to everyone who comes over today ! Make it 9 !!! 14 !!!
37 – 22, so the good news is we are keeping them within eye sight. Media TO for the second quarter…
Our side of the bleachers are starting to fill in nicely now !
Ervin at 2 points and 2 assists….
46 – 32 at the break, we won the 2nd, 20-19 = baby steps !
1st serve at 6:05 pm
6:07 – 1st TO, CCHS, down 5 – 1
6 : 17 – 2nd TO, down 19 – 8
6 : 20 – Abingdon High 25 – 10 in the opening set.
3rd quarter is underway down in Tampa. The opening few minutes are KEY 🔑.
3rd quarter Media TO, down 57 – 36
SET #2 :
Lady Cavs lead 3 – 1!
Lady Cavs calls 📞 1st TO, down 17 -8…
25 – 11 is your 2nd set final [6:40]
End of 3rd, Ervin with 9 and 4 helpers
SET #3 :
1st TO, CCHS down 5-1…
2nd TO, trailing 15 – 6 [6:56]
7:06 pm – Falcons 25, Lady Cavaliers 13
Yes, the season has ended, but this group of young ladies over achieved from the get-go. 19 wins on the season !
The final minute in Tampa and the margin is now 28, 80 – 52 but Kiddo is still out there giving it everything she has !
All roads lead to Abingdon High School 🏫But with an eye on Tampa Bay from 5 pm until 1st serve !A Bible Verse 🙏 that could double up as volleyball advice tonight !Travis Osborne and his Bible Verse of the Day :
Psalm 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Howard Mayo and his Motovational Nugget for the Day :
