By Robert Edmonds — Daily Sports Correspondent

WINCHESTER — Handley entered Thursday night's matchup with Sherando hoping to come away with a win — or at least avoid a second shutout to the Warriors this season.

The Judges began the night keeping pace with the Warriors through much of the first game, but it didn't take long for Sherando to pull together and blow past Handley, rolling to a quick 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-14) victory.

"Tonight was an off night for us," Judges coach Lindsay Hazelette said. "We came in going for the win and we wanted to get one game. We were playing fundamentally sound in the first game, but we couldn't get the win. After that, some of us let up and the team lost their intensity."

When the match began, Handley seemed to be well prepared for the Warriors as they managed to keep pace and take advantage of Sherando errors. The Warriors were unable to help themselves as they struggled to communicate. After falling behind early, Sherando remained determined and soon gained the lead. Trailing 21-17, the Judges still found themselves within striking distance, but were unable to generate any offense and fell hard as Sherando reeled off four straight points to close the game.

"When we played them the last time every game was close," Warriors coach Chuck Ashby said. "It seems like each time we play them, Handley gets better. They played a good defensive game and they were able to ruffle our feathers in the first game."

"When we came out tonight, we were not at the top of our game," Warrior senior Lauren Carter said. "It was one of those days where we were not completely focused. Coach [Ashby] does a good job of getting us to refocus. He told us to play as a team and he helped get us on track."

That would be the last time Handley found themselves close in a game with Sherando, which was bonding quickly as the teams switched sides. Led by seniors Carter and Haley Jacobsen, the Warriors stormed ahead quickly in the second game. With the score tied 6-6, Jacobsen stepped up to the service line and reeled off 12 straight points, including 5 aces, to give her team an insurmountable lead as the Warriors coasted to victory. Carter recorded seven of her match-high 16 kills in the game and added an ace.

"It just goes back to practice," Jacobsen said of her service play. "We practice the service game a lot. It's all mental and I just tried to control myself at the line."

Sherando continued to roll in the third behind the duo, who combined for nine points in the match. Jacobsen again dominated the service line, this time recording six straight points, but her biggest contribution came with her team ahead 20-13. She recorded three huge blocks at the net to seal the fate of the Judges and record the victory.

"We know every match is important for us and so is every game," Jacobsen said. "Handley is a scrappy team and they played big. We are happy with the win."

With the win, the Warriors continue their chase to win the district. Sherando is tied for first with Millbrook.

"I think the big thing for these girls and our team is that most of them have played together for three or four years now since they were freshmen and sophomores," Ashby said. "They are now realizing that they can count on each other and that helps them as a team. I told them they are going to make mistakes, but if they support one another they can play through anything and match up with any team out there."