Highlanders Record Stands at 2-2 on the Year

The McLean High School girls’ volleyball squad captured their first victory of the season by defeating the Washington-Lee Generals 25-23, 26-24 and 25-20 on Sept. 5. This win came after a difficult loss to West Potomac High School on Sept. 1. In their first non-district matchup, the West Potomac Wolverines beat the Highlanders 25-17, 25-23 and 26-24.

Miscues again plagued the Highlanders when they faced the South County Stallions at home on Sept. 6. After losing the first game to South County 19-25, McLean came back to win the second 25-18 but were not able to finish the match, losing the other games 22-25 and 20-25.

“We just could not seem to get a consistent rhythm in either match, showing some early-season jitters,” McLean Head Coach Steve Stotler said. “There were glimpses of the kind of stellar play this team is capable of but we had far too many unforced errors. We just need to get back to the basics and execute with confidence.”

McLean managed to rebound against J.E.B. Stuart High School in a match on Monday, Sept. 11. The Highlanders promptly took care of the Raiders in four games (25-20, 24-26, 26-24, 25-10) before an animated crowd of students. The victory improved the Highlanders’ record to 2-2 overall, with all games coming outside of the Highlander’s home Liberty District.

“Our play as a team is starting to come around and I was pleased with the confidence they demonstrated in their play when the matches were tight,” Stotler said following the Stuart game. “They are learning how to close out the match and win.”

The next match for the girls will be Thursday, Sept. 14 at Mt. Vernon High School. Their next home game will take place on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7:15 p.m. against Chantilly High School.