Langley Sweeps Host West Springfield, 3-0

Saxons Ride Steady Serves and the Precise Sets of Senior Megan Shifflett to Their Sixth Consecutive Victory

By Angela Watts
Content Editor

Langley’s girls’ volleyball Coach Susan Shifflett said that her team never quite found its rhythm Monday night at West Springfield.

But if that was the sub-par version of the Saxons, ranked No. 5 in the Washington-area by the Washington Post, then others around the Northern Region had better take notice. Even without much help from two of its biggest stars, Langley (6-0) was dominant in a 25-9, 25-20, 25-15 victory over West Springfield (2-3).

Saxons’ junior hitter Logan Sebastian missed the entire game with a sore foot, and standout senior middle blocker Lisa Scott, who has committed to the University of Maryland, was also forced to sit out the first game after missing a team practice on Friday.

“That was very ****,” Shifflett said. “We’re sitting Logan this week to
let her rest, and that’s kind of thrown our rhythm off a little bit.
And then Lisa, even when she came in she really didn’t get into a
rhythm at all tonight. The other kids, I think, did a nice job picking
it up and keeping things fairly consistent, we just weren’t playing
anywhere near our best.”

The Saxons were led by senior setter Megan Shifflett
(committed to Penn State), who totaled 10 kills and 12 assists. Langley
also got quality serving from several players, led by senior defensive
specialist Becky Lee (12 service points) and senior outside hitter Michelle Bredehoft (9).

And
as off-rhythm as they might have been, Susan Shifflett admitted there
is a benefit to continuing to get some of her younger players live game
action. Two freshmen — middle blocker Audrey Dotson and outside hitter Taylor Nelson — and sophomore libero Elysse Richardson all saw significant playing time; Dotson and Richardson started.

“Lisa
and Megan get a lot of attention, but we’re not going to win the big
games down the road if everybody around them isn’t strong and
supportive,” Shifflett said. “And I think we have a good, supportive
staff around what I call our ‘big three’ which is Megan, Lisa and
Logan. But the rest of them are no slouches. I mean, they would start
on any other team in the county, so it feels good this year. There’s no
doubt it feels good.”

Langley junior middle blocker Mattie Gray (5) watches anxiously as West Springfield junior setter Lauren Sipple (9) handles a pass.

West Springfield Coach Marcus Robinson said that despite the loss, he thought this was the best his team has played this season. The Spartans, who were supported by a raucous student-cheering section, some of which donned A-C-E shirts and others of which painted their bodies orange-and-blue, got oodles of energy from senior libero Mariana Cimino — who Robinson called the team’s “Energizer bunny” — and solid play by junior setter Lauren Sipple and senior middle blocker Lauren Dowling.

“We played much better as a group tonight,” Robinson said. “And I think
it’s only the beginning. We’ve got energy and teamwork, that’s our
core. We don’t have any great big players, no superstars, but we play
together as one.”

Langley, on the other hand, definitely has its
superstars. But Lee, a senior, said it is the Saxons’ chemistry that is
their true strength.

“Our players are really determined and we
all have such great chemistry that no matter who is on the court we
understand what each person’s role is and we get things done,” Lee
said. “And I think you saw that tonight. There is no rivalry or no envy
about anything. Everyone just loves and supports everyone else.”

And everyone, she said, has their eye set on the prize: A run at the Group AAA state championship.

“So
far, so good,” Shifflett said. “We’re doing really well, but they big
thing is that we know we can do better. So hopefully, by the end of the
season, we’ll be spectacular.”

* To see highlights from Monday’s match, as well as a video
interview with Langley senior setter Megan Shifflett, click on the
“Volleyball” sports central link at the top of the home page.

West Springfield’s student-section was out in full force — and plenty of color — to support the home team.