The Southampton High School volleyball team is off to a good start.

The Lady Indians started off their season with three victories over district

opponents recently defeating Surry, Appomattox Regional Governor’s

School and Brunswick in straight sets.

The girls also competed in the 4th annual Endless Summer Volleyball Tournament in Virginia Beach. The 3A Lady Indians started off the day with a 2-1 victory over 5A Gloucester High School.

“We didn’t start real strong but we turned it around quick and played well the rest of the day,” said coach Chad Brock.

The girls then faced 6A Tallwood High School defeating them in two sets. The next team on the schedule was 5A J.E.B. Stuart.

“This was the toughest team on our court and we had to play some good ball to pull out a win,” Brock said.

Southampton won the first set 25-21 then dropped the second set 24-26. The girls then had to play a final deciding set to 15. Southampton won 15-10. After completing pool play with a complete sweep the girls qualified for the gold bracket championship round.

This is the first time Southampton has qualified for the Gold Division in the four years they have participated in the tournament having qualified for Silver twice and Bronze once.

“In the gold bracket we faced two of the best teams we will see all year.

We first faced 4A James Wood who lost to 4A Jamestown in last years state quarterfinals,” Brock said.

James Wood had height at every position with 4 girls at or above 6 feet tall and had easily beaten their previous three opponents in pool play.

James Wood ran a high tempo offense and defeated Southampton 2-0. The next team, 3A Warhill, featured seven girls listed at or above 5’10,” and the tallest topped out at 6’3.”

Warhill won the first set in a close one 25-21 and went on to win the next set to end the day for Southampton.

Senior Outside hitter Kaylee Edwards was selected to the All Tournament Team in recognition of her play on the day. She was selected by the other

coaches for this award.

“Kaylee had the hot hand today contributing to the teams success with 23 kills 1 block and 6 aces,” Brock said.

Other notables, Senior Middle Madeleine Kahle 20 kills 2 blocks, Senior Setter Grayson Drake 15 kills 2 aces 23 assists three blocks, Senior Setter Samantha Billups 36 assists 5 kills 3 aces and 2 blocks.

“This tournament is important for us. It gives us an opportunity to play

against some of the top teams in the state. There are even teams there

from West Virginia and North Carolina.”

With the new VHSL Conference Alignment this year Southampton could face Warhill again in post season play.

Southampton will take their 6-2 record into  Monday  night’s game against another potential Conference opponent in a home match against non-conference foe Colonial Heights.