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ABINGDON, Va. – Brittni Altmann spent the past three years assisting one of the top prep volleyball players in Virginia.

The John Battle senior has taken on a new role this fall.

Altmann collected 18 assists and two aces Wednesday to guide the new-look Trojans to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 decision over the Abingdon Falcons.

Powerful 5-foot-10 hitter Kelsey Griffitts is playing volleyball at King College after breaking a variety of Battle records. Altmann is now spreading the wealth along the Trojans front line as the Trojans setter.

“It’s a little bit different,” Altmann said. “Instead of having that one power hitter, we have a whole bunch of hitters that we can choose from.”

The primary options Tuesday for Battle were seniors Ashley Bryant (10 kills, 13 digs) and Meghan Corns (six kills) along with junior Allison Thames (five kills, three digs).

“We’re working on consistency,” Altmann said.

The Trojans are also adapting to a new coach in Stephanie Ervin Meade. A former star athlete at Sullivan East and King College, Meade replaced Gary Griffitts as the Battle coach.

“Coach Meade really knows what she is doing and she does everything she can to inspire us,” Altmann said. “We plan to go far this season.”

After opening the season with a loss to Coeburn, Battle (4-1) has won four straight matches.

“I think we have the talent to make a run for the state tournament,” said Meade, who also has coaching experience at Sullivan East and Virginia Intermont. “I’ve really pushed the players, and they are responding. That’s exciting for me.”

That pushing process began with open-gym workouts in March. Cardio workouts and demanding practice sessions soon followed.

“We came out really nervous tonight, but Abingdon has some hitters that can put the ball down,” Meade said.

Leaders for Abingdon on Wednesday included senior Taylor Leland (nine kills, 11 digs, four blocks) along with sophomores Logan Viers (eight kills, 11 digs), Haven Leland (four blocks) and Taylor Stewart (20 assists, nine digs).

The AHS roster includes two seniors and five sophomores. The Falcons returned just two starters this season.

“We were coming off a loss to Virginia High on Tuesday, and this match was very similar,” AHS coach Sarah Beth Mathesius said. “We played well in spurts, but we’ve got to be ready from the get-go.”

After the Falcons fell behind 12-3 in the opening game, Mathesius offered some pointed instruction during a timeout.

“Battle has such a strong team, especially fundamentally,” Mathesius said. “We have the talent and the hitters, but that doesn’t mean anything if you don’t play with the basics. We’re working on that.”

The high-leaping Viers starred during Abingdon’s run to the Group AA softball finals last spring. Viers found her groove as the match progressed Wednesday.

“Logan has only played volleyball for two years, but it’s scary to be on the court when she turns it on,” Mathesius said. “Logan’s vertical leap is off the charts.”

Abingdon opened a 6-3 lead in the second game, but was unable to capitalize against the deep Trojans.

“I’ve got a team full of sophomores who have never played varsity,” Mathesius said. “We’re just trying to get everything to come together. That’s where we’re at right now.”

As for the Trojans, Meade has been delighted with the leadership of her senior setter.

“I want to spread the offense around,” Meade said. “Brittni is smart, and she can run the offense for us.”