Smith, Cavaliers primed for big season

Long overshadowed by the other volleyball program in its own building, Clover Hill’s girls volleyball squad is determined to make a name for itself this season.

The Cavaliers got off to a good start last weekend by rolling to the title in the 16-team White bracket at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase.

Unbeaten in pool matches against Evangel Christian, Hanover and Collegiate, Clover Hill capped an impressive performance by beating Douglas Freeman in the semifinals before sweeping Dominion District rival Midlothian 25-6, 25-20 in the championship match.

“I think we made a statement,” said Clover Hill coach Benjamin Smith, an alumnus of the Cavaliers’ two-time Group AAA state champion boys volleyball team. “Our main goal is to win the district, but this is a big momentum boost for us.”

Harper Smith, the coach’s little sister and a standout hitter, provided the biggest boost for Clover Hill with a remarkable serving performance against Midlothian that seemed to surprise even her.

Showing off a powerful topspin jump serve she only began using this year, Smith ripped off 14 consecutive points on her serve before the defending district tournament champion Trojans finally got on the scoreboard.

That number does little justice to the dominance she exerted on the match. In addition to a couple outright aces, Smith relentlessly pounded one serve after another that was simply too powerful for Midlothian’s players to pass with any accuracy.

Trojans coach Mary Allen called two timeouts during the run, but even that move failed to interrupt Smith’s rhythm.

“I just wanted it to be harder for the other team,” Smith said of her decision to abandon her float serve in favor of the jump serve. “It’s a challenge for me, too, and I like that.”

Having already dominated the first game, Smith also swung the second in the Cavaliers’ direction. Midlothian led 11-9 until she won four consecutive points on her serve, putting Clover Hill ahead to stay.

The Showcase title was the Cavaliers’ first; their best prior result came when they reached the finals in 1998.

“We finally have a trophy to put in the trophy case at the new Clover Hill and that’s special,” Benjamin Smith said.

To add a Dominion District championship trophy this season, Clover Hill will have to navigate a challenging schedule that includes two matches apiece against Midlothian, James River and Cosby.

The Trojans finished first in their pool and second overall in the White bracket. The Rapids were second in their pool to New Kent and beat Cosby in the Silver Division finals.

But with six seniors and seven juniors on their roster, Clover Hill’s players believe this season is their time to shine.

“We have a core group of players who have played together a long time,” Harper Smith said. “We put each of our strong points together and that’s what makes us a good team.”