CLARKSBURG -- Woodrow Wilson capped a record-breaking season by capturing itsfirst Class AAA state title in volleyball since 1996. The Flying Eagles defeated Parkersburg, 25-12, 25-18, 22-25 and 25-22, to run their final record to 63-3-2 on Saturday.
The 63 victories set a new record for wins in a single season, besting Parkersburg's 61-2-3 mark set in 2000.
"I'm proud of them all," Woodrow coach Shirley Brown said. "They all played with everything they had."
Woodrow set the pace early in the first game, racing to a 15-6 lead. Courtney Rappold and Jenna Karbonit led the way, as Rappold served nine straight points, including two aces, and had three kills, while Karbonit hammered down two kills.
"I told the girls to go on the floor and make a statement the first game," Brown said. "They had to go out and win that first game. We needed a statement made that we were here to win."
As the match wore on, Yolanda Anthony stepped to the forefront for the Flying Eagles. Anthony finished with 14 kills, including five in the final game.
"Yolanda's play was huge," Brown said. "She's going to be a good college player, too. She's learning to read the court, and she's really focusing on what she wants."
Rappold led Woodrow with 14 points and nine kills. Kim Elkin and Megan McCoy contributed with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Karbonit finished with nine kills and nine points.
Parkersburg (55-6-3) had strong efforts from Aana Wherry, who finished with 21 kills and seven points; Haley Dennison with 13 point; and Ali Thompson with nine kills.
n The Class AAA all-tournament squad consists of Courtney Rappold, Yolanda Anthony and Jenna Karbonit of Woodrow Wilson, Gina Adams of Preston, Aana Wherry and Cienna Conley of Parkersburg, Blair Ruddle of South Charleston, Shelley Capito of George Washington and Sarah Johnson of Parkersburg South.
