By Tim Tassa — Daily Staff Writer

STRASBURG — Central head coach Allison Huckstep didn't find out until earlier Thursday morning that her opponent for the evening's season opener — Strasburg — was not just a Shenandoah County rival, but the defending Group A State champions.

"I'm not from the area," Huckstep admitted, a first-year head coach for the Falcons.

Even some locals, however, may not be familiar with the names on the current Rams' roster — that's what the graduation of seven highly decorated seniors can do.

But after their 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 25-12) victory over the Falcons, Bethany Doman, Jaclyn Ayers, Lauran Agnew, Jenna Smoot and Stephanie Conde won't be anonymous on the volleyball court much longer.

"It's nice to start over," said Doman, who had six kills and nine aces on the night.

"I know that people might put the burden on our shoulders, but we're just shaking it off. The weight is off; we're starting a new year and turning a fresh page."

Central and Strasburg played to a 10-8 score in Game 1, before the Rams closed the frame using a 15-2 run, capitalizing on a strong service game.

Agnew, who had 17 assists over three games, aided Ayers and Smoot for kills and a subsequent 14-8 lead. During an ensuing 10-0 run, Doman accounted for five aces, sealing the Rams' early one-game lead.

"It's nice to get the first one under and get on the court and see what we need to do and work on," Strasburg head coach Suzanne Mathias said.

"Overall I'm pleased with what I see out there. They're a great group of young ladies, we still have a solid core and they can compete with the best of them."

After jumping out to a 7-3 lead in Game 2, the Falcons, led by three Ashley Bodge aces, secured their first lead of the night, 8-7. The Rams responded, however, in building a 15-13 advantage, before mounting a 9-2 run and the eventual game victory.

Ayers had three aces during that span and Samantha St. Clair added two kills and a block.

"We have so many girls that are so talented," said Ayers, who had nine assists and eight kills.

"We're just close girls, we do good as a team."

Agnew and Ayers rotated at the setter position, and each displayed the athletic ability to be threats as hitters, as well. Against the Falcons, the pair routinely assisted Doman and Smoot, who added eight kills.

"We definitely had a wide variety, we're going to have to do that this season," Mathias said. It's just not one set player out there. It was a team last year, but it's more so of a team this year. People have to step up and support one another."

With Agnew and Ayers, Mathias said, "It's kind of like having two [Kaitlin Smoot's] on the floor." Since Kaitlin Smoot was a first-team, all-state setter last year, that's received as strong praise.

And Agnew and Ayers helped set the Rams to another convincing victory in Game 3.

"We both like hitting, we both enjoy setting," Agnew said. "It just gives us a break through the rotations. It gives us a break to get our hits in and get more kills. It's nice to mix it up."

Huckstep said she simply expected 100 percent effort from her team upon finding out about Strasburg's recent success. She said she'll be able to build on the things they did well going into future practices.

The Falcons were led by Margot Gurganus' seven kills.

"I thought we showed a lot of character by being able to hang with them and kind of make them earn their points," Huckstep said, "And not just give them their points."

* Contact Tim Tassa at ttassa@nvdaily.com