Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Radford claimed another state volleyball championship in Class 2, while Christiansburg’s unbeaten season came to a conclusion with a loss in the Class 3 state contest.
Fans for both schools packed Saturday’s championship games at the Salem Civic Center, and it was a fan’s dream in three excellent games. Giles and Radford took trophies in their respective classes, while Christiansburg was hoping to remain unbeaten against an Abingdon team they had beaten three different times this season. But it was Abingdon’s day on Saturday as they took a 27-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21 win.
Ela Shepherd had 19 kills and 20 assists for Christiansburg, and Blair Self had 26 assists.
Reese Hall would finish with 28 digs, and Ellie Eddleton had 16 kills and 17 digs.
Christiansburg took the River Ridge District and regional title enroute to a 28-1 record after Saturday’s loss.
Meanwhile in the final afternoon session, Radford had their own unbeaten opponent to deal with. Ft. Defiance was shocked in Radford’s 25-20, 25-19, 16-25, and 25-23 match. It was Radford’s first state trophy since 2019.
Jaylyn Holt led Radford with 14 kills and eight blocks, while Briana Dobbins finished with 23 digs and four assists. Mattox Adams tallied 34 assists, 23 digs, three kills, seven blocks and one ace in the win.
Giles beat Middlesex for the Class 1 title.
