Raiders escape 1st set to blank Dan River on Senior Night
Appomattox Raiders senior volleyball players were honored on Senior Night before Thursday’s game against Dan River. From left: Kenley Booth, Emily Purcell, Haleigh Tweedy, Lyndsey Lawson and Kaydence Gilbert. Image: Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

You’ve likely heard of the B-52 Bomber, the long-range target fighter jet that has been operated by the United States Air Force since 1950.

Well, the Appomattox Raiders varsity volleyball team can claim its own version of a “bomber” on the court — the “A-10 Bomber” — otherwise known as senior Kaydence Gilbert (“A” for Appomattox and “10” for Gilbert’s jersey number).

Anyone who has watched the Raiders play during the past four seasons has also witnessed Gilbert’s impressive speed and power at the net on kill shots, and has heard the thundering “Boom!” sound made when Gilbert’s arm winds up and strikes the ball into the opposing court.

Whenever Gilbert leaps in the air at the net for a shot attempt, the Raiders’ student section anticipates the shot by shouting a collective “Boom!”

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.