<b>Robinson Volleyball Reaches Region Semis</b>
The Robinson volleyball team ended its season with a 3-0 loss to Stone Bridge on Nov. 11 in the semifinals of the Northern Region tournament. The Rams, winners of the Concorde District and owners of a 15-8 record, fell one victory shy of states.
A loss to South County on Oct. 6 dropped Robinson’s record to 6-7. From that point, the Rams won nine consecutive matches, including a 5-0 mark in district play, before losing to Stone Bridge.
"I would consider [the season] a success," head coach Jill Pearson said. "The way we played in the district and the way we played in the first couple rounds of regionals" was a success.
The Rams garnered ample honors at the district and region levels. Pearson earned Northern Region Coach of the Year accolades for the second straight season and senior outside hitter Susie Murach was named region MVP for the second consecutive year. Senior setter Tiffany Connatser was a second-team all-region selection.
Pearson and Murach earned district coach of the year and MVP honors, respectively. Connatser was a first-team selection, Chance Rye and Kelsey Patel were voted second-team members and Elena Patel garnered honorable mention accolades.
Murach and Connatser leave big shoes for the Rams to fill in 2011. Junior middle blocker Rye and sophomore hitter Anna Kulbaski are among the players expected to step up next season.
"I think the girls were able to get experience playing with [Murach] and Tiffany," Pearson said, "but they know the expectations we have and that’s the level we want to play at."
<b>Robinson Football Advances</b>
The No. 4 Robinson football team defeated No. 5 Oakton 14-7 on Nov. 12 in the first round of the Division 6 Northern Region playoffs. The Rams (9-2) will travel to face No. 1 Lake Braddock (10-1) in the semifinals on Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Robinson defeated Lake Braddock 10-7 during a regular season meeting on Oct. 1.
<b>Robinson Football Players Honored</b>
The Robinson football team was well represented when it came time for all-district honors.
Running back Jared Velasquez, wide receiver Patrick Baker, tackle Evan Hanscom and center Calvin Shade earned first-team All-Concorde District offensive honors. Running back Kambulu Musokotwane and tight end Nate Foote were second-team selections.
On defense, Velasquez, Thomas Petrocci and Chris Garcia were first-team selections from the secondary, joining end Patrick Miller and lineman Andre Kendall.
Linebacker John Buono and end Nathan Holyfield were second-team selections.
Velasquez was also a first-team kick returner.
<b>Lake Braddock Volleyball Loses in Regional Quarters</b>
The Lake Braddock volleyball team lost to Langley 3-2 (25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 15-25, 15-8) in the regional quarterfinals on Nov. 9, ending the Bruins’ season. Tara Fialkow finished with 34 digs for Lake Braddock. Logan Russell had 13 kills, Catherine Jamshidi had 10 and Kyra Rodi had eight.
"We didn’t play our best game on the night," Lake Braddock head coach Mike Clark wrote in an e-mail. "In trying to inspire the girls to take on the big challenge, I think the Saxons’ history of success caused us to be a little tentative and we lacked our confidence."
The highpoint of the Bruins’ season came on Nov. 4, when they beat South County for the Patriot District championship.
The "district title game was great," Clark wrote. "Winning the championship validated our tremendous season. Being the five seed in the Patriot District made it seem as though we were only an average team, but it was quite clear to us that we were better than that."