Volleyball
The Fluco varsity volleyball team suffered a tough loss against Turner Ashby on Sept. 3 by a score of 1-3. The team is going to use the mistakes they made in this game to help them continue to grow into the team they are striving to become. “We definitely need to communicate more to help eliminate the chaos on the court. We also need to read better, especially tips. Our serve/receive needs to keep the ball off the net to allow plays to be possible instead of automatically giving up the point. We also need to just relax,” said junior libero Toria Belew. The team is going to have a chance to redeem themselves on Sept. 10 when they will play away at Turner Ashby.

Meanwhile, the Fluco JV volleyball team defeated Turner Ashby on Sept. 3. “We got some great digs and were able to run some plays which allowed us to be successful to start off the season,” said sophomore Abby Searcy.

Even with a tough loss on their backs the varsity team is ready to pick themselves up and continue to strive for the goals and expectations they have for the season. The Flucos have already had some successes this year considering their record is currently 2-2 including scrimmages. They have had some stellar moments in their season so far and they are trying to make it so those moments are more consistent. “We have shoes to fill, but if we work hard we can get the job done. Right now, our focus is defense,” said Captain Katie Stutz. The team also competed in the Spotswood tournament on Sept. 5 where they placed 6th out of 8 teams.

Football
The Fluco football team battled Spotsylvania on Sept. 4, coming out with a frustratingly close 29-28 loss. “We have to be more consistent in the 4th quarter,” said Captain Craig Russo. The team is so close to success that fans can feel it in the air. Even though the team did not pull out a win, they still had successes throughout the game. For example, senior and wide receiver Jay Amos had three touchdowns against Spotsylvania.

”We blocked and received very well. We just need to perfect a couple things and then we will be in a better position to get a win,” said Russo. Fellow captain and quarterback Gavin Patrick was unable to play on Aug. 28 due to an injury, but he was back on the field this week as the Flucos took on Spotsylvania. “I was really excited to be back on the field. I missed out on my first home game so I really wanted to get on the field and do what I love. I just wanted to come out and show my guys that I was ready to lead them,” said Patrick.

The team will not have a game on Sept. 11, but they will resume play the following week when they will play home against Culpeper.

Golf
The Fluvanna Flucos golf team lost four seniors that were in the top six last season. But they still have junior star Jack Stanke, who was the number one overall seed last year and has been at the top spot for most of the 2015 season. Meanwhile, two new faces have joined the top six for the Flucos: freshman Jack Kershner and junior Charlie Searcy. “Making all the matches this year has been a true blessing and I look forward to playing in more,” said freshman Kershner who played on team last year but wasn’t able to compete in matches as an 8th grader.

The Flucos have one lone senior on the squad this year, Tyler Marshall. Marshall has been in many matches in his career as a Fluco and has improved every year. “Tyler has worked hard to improve his game over the last three seasons,” said Coach Searcy. The Flucos beat long-time rival Louisa County on Aug. 27, shooting a total of 185. The Flucos were back in action on Sept. 3 at Western Albemarle where they shot a 186 as a team. Stanke finished the day as the top seed. The Flucos’ next match is a conference match on Sept. 8 at Lake Monticello.

Cross Country
The boys and girls cross country team kicked off their season by taking on Madison, Fort Defiance, and Monticello on Aug. 26 at Pleasant Grove. Sophomores Kristen Cabrera, Saige Haney, and Haley Kennedy, as well as senior Bridget Bossong and junior Jackie Rodriguez, placed in the top 25. Seniors Jonathan Corbin, Andy Guess, Keegan Campanelli, and James Byram, sophomores Jack Rice and Jack Easter, and junior Morgan Millburn also finished in the top 25.

Next up for the Flucos was the Ragged Mountain Cup, which featured all teams from Central Virginia. Cabrera, Bossong, Rodriguez, and Haney all made the top 25. “Our girls’ team has potential to go far this season considering we had four girls in the top 25,” said Cabrera after the event. The boys’ team– under the leadership of Coach Tom Casto– also did well, with Guest, Corbin, and Rice blazing a trail by finishing in the top 25. Girls’ coach Rose Brogan is pleased with the season so far. “We have started off pretty strong with a win over Monticello, Fort Defiance, and Madison and then had four girls in top 25 in the [Ragged Mountain] Cup, so they need to just keep working hard and getting stronger,” said Brogan.