CUMBERLAND – With very little court time under their belts, Cumberland and Fuqua School's volleyball teams took Monday night's four-game scrimmage for what it was. A chance to practice against another team.

Still, both found reason to be pleased in what wound up being a 2-2 tie with three sets played to 25, and the fourth being played to 15.

Cumberland won the first and third sets (25-23, 25-21) with Fuqua taking sets two and four (25-12, 15-13).

“We were very encouraged, and we can take a lot of positives from this,” said Cumberland first-year volleyball coach Heather Storrie. “We're starting to give Cumberland volleyball a new name.”

For Fuqua, which started camp a week later than most schools, it was an opportunity for the Falcons to get their feet wet.

“We had two official practices, following the camp and tryouts,” said FS head coach Lora Smith. “So, considering that, I thought we did well. I saw a few problems in our new scheme, but they're things that will iron themselves out in practice.

“These scrimmages give you the opportunity to try different things, and to play some combinations that you may not feel comfortable trying during the regular-season.”

Cumberland took a 21-20 lead in the first game on an ace by Breanna Davis, who registered a kill to gain the serve, before stringing together a three-point rally. Her next serve was in the net. That started a rash of service errors back and forth, until the Dukes were able to gain a two-point advantage. Fittingly, following a Jordan Berg kill by Fuqua to gain the serve and pull Fuqua to within one point at 24-23, the final point was awarded on a service error.

“That's what you're going to get at this point,” said Smith.

Fuqua had no problems with its serve early on in the second set. Cumberland had trouble returning the serve of Fuqua's Charlotte Cave, as the Falcons sprinted out to a 5-0 lead and were never really challenged.

The form held in sets three and four, with the team that gained the early advantage holding on to close out the set, though neither team was able to sustain a run.

The Dukes are approaching the season with a “less is more” approach. Simplify, and go from there.

“We have some athletes, and they're good athletes,” said Storrie. “They listen and they can use their [general athletic] skills. We're going to keep it simple, and not try to overburden ourselves in things we're not ready for.

“I think that worked for us tonight, and that was good to see.”

Following a scrimmage at Nottoway on Wednesday, Cumberland will open the season on August 25 at home against Prince Edward.

Fuqua will scrimmage at Central of Lunenburg on Thursday night, before beginning the season on August 30 at home against Cumberland.