The Rams captured the conference tournament title for the second year in a row, fending off the determined Falcons 25-20, 25-22, 23-25 and 25-22. Starmount went 14-0 in MVAC matches this fall, losing only two games the entire way -- one against North Surry last week and one against Forbush in the conference finale.
Wednesday's match, in fact, represented the closest final score for the Rams in an MVAC duel this season.
"Mentally we felt very challenged," Starmount coach Jon Symons said of the latest clash with the rival Falcons. "They were pushing us. They've got some girls who can swing and they've got some girls who can serve. I'm sure we'll see them again some point down the road (in the playoffs).
"They have definitely inspired us to get better."
The only thing that may have been considered an upset Wednesday came in the all-conference balloting. Starmount had seven players recognized as either all-conference, all-tournament or both. But Forbush senior Kelly Wood received the conference's Player of the Year award for the second year in a row. Even she seemed surprised when her name was announced after the title match.
"I figured they would take it from the No. 1 team," Wood said. "I'm not sure why I got it -- I really don't know."
Making first-team all-conference from Starmount were Meme Brown, Taylor Doss, Jana Matthews, Jordan Raye and Mary Katherine Taylor. Taylor Hutchens and Katie Jerome earned honorable mention all-conference. Doss was voted the MVAC tournament MVP.
For more details, see Friday's edition of The Tribune.
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