Gunston Volleyball Wins 36th Annual Bulldog Classic

Gunston Volleyball captured the championship at the 36th Annual Bulldog Classic on Saturday, September 19, at North Caroline High School, remaining undefeated with a pair of impressive victories against strong competition.

During pool play, every Heron contributed valuable minutes to help Gunston advance to the single-elimination round. In the semifinals, Gunston faced a talented Reservoir JV squad and earned a 25-21, 25-17 victory. The Herons were led offensively by Alie Merkle with five kills, while Addison Coldwell and Liv Labrador each added four kills. Setter Serena Hill orchestrated the offense with 13 assists.

Gunston found itself trailing 10-13 in the second set before turning the match around with a 15-4 run to close it out. Strong serving sparked the comeback, with senior captain Scotia Hopper recording three aces and Lily Fithyan going 6-for-6 from the service line with an ace. Hopper also anchored the back row with 12 digs from her libero position.

In the championship match, the Herons faced host North Caroline High School, which entered the tournament undefeated. Gunston again battled through adversity, overcoming a 13-18 deficit in the second set by closing the match on an 8-0 run to secure a 25-22, 25-20 victory and the tournament championship.

The Herons' defense was outstanding throughout the championship match. Labrador led the team with 18 digs, followed by Merkle with 12 and Hopper with 11. At the net, KK Griffin led Gunston with three blocks and five touches, while Parker Wilson and Jessalyn Tavenner teamed with Griffin to form a strong front line of defense. Hill continued to direct the offense with 20 assists, while Coldwell led the Herons with 10 kills. Labrador and Merkle each added six kills in the championship victory.

Gunston's ability to respond when trailing was a defining characteristic of both elimination-round matches, while contributions throughout the roster during pool play helped position the Herons for their championship run.