Bees setter sprains ankle in loss to Glass

The first game of Wednesday night’s non-district volleyball match between Brookville and E.C. Glass was hanging in the balance before an agonizing injury to Bees setter Alyssa Kidd threw things out of whack.

Brookville was leading its cross-town rival 22-19 before Kidd, one of only two returning starters from the Bees’ Group AA state semifinalists, went up at the right side of the net and came down on the foot of a Hilltopper outside hitter.

“She rolled it over coming down after she got her feet tangled up,” Glass coach David Cardwell said.

Kidd, who leads Brookville in assists, kills, aces and blocks this fall, was anticipating putting up a block on the play. But Glass setter Taylor Riley’s crossing pass intended for a teammate actually went over the net, putting Kidd on the attack. That led to the collision that left her writhing in pain after spraining her left ankle.

“Alyssa is definitely one of their key players,” Riley said.

“She’s a stat leader and she’s a true leader on the team,” Brookville first-year coach Ashley Turner added.

Seeing her father, Brookville athletic director Larry Kidd, and an athletic trainer, carry their captain off the court was somewhat unsettling for the Bees, who went on to suffer a 26-24, 25-13, 25-12 defeat.

“It was a shock at first, (but) once the kids had a pause between games and could pick their heads up … they finished strong,” Turner said.

Shelley Parker, the other returning starter from last year who normally serves as the defensive specialist, filled in at the setter spot and the Bees made some adjustments, but couldn’t quite get in sync.

“They were playing a new formation they hadn’t played before,” Turner said. “It was totally different. Shelley Parker stepped up and did a nice job.”

Kidd plays on the same Heart of Virginia white 17-under travel team as Glass middle hitter Meg Kenny, who led Glass with 12 kills and five blocks. Kenny came over to encourage Kidd between games after the Hilltoppers rallied from a 24-22 deficit to beat the Bees 26-24.

“It upset everybody when she went out,” Cardwell said. “They all play together and they’re good friends. That’s why we called a time out.”

He was also saddened for selfish reasons, wanting the Hilltoppers (14-3) to face a quality setter in preparation for two key Western Valley District matches against Franklin County and Patrick Henry, which is tied with Glass for the district lead.

“We didn’t play well,” Cardwell said. “I was sorry to see her go out because we needed that competition to get ready for next week.”

Turner is hopeful Kidd can return for the Seminole District tournament, but must prepare her team to play without her if she can’t.

“I think our other seniors will play hard and we’ll regroup,” she said. “It’s not something they can’t handle.”

After struggling from the outset, the Bees (7-12) have made strides this season, as they showed in the first game Wednesday when they had the Hilltoppers on the ropes.

“Brookville has definitely improved,” Riley said, noting Glass swept the first meeting on its home court without much of a challenge.

Riley, who distributed 21 assists with five aces and three digs, has developed into an excellent setter in Glass’ new 5-1 offense, which replaces the 6-2 Cardwell normally runs.

“We have become a big team this year,” she said. “We’re all really connected and everybody clicks perfectly.”