Lady Grizz growl in 2A West matches

Rocky Mountain netters closed out the regular season with three straight Class 2A Northwest conference volleyball wins, including victories over Shoshoni and Wind River over the weekend.

“What a great way to end our regular season with three conference wins and two this weekend,” coach Kay Townsend said.

Junior Leah Haslem recorded 37 assists against Shoshoni on Friday and 45 against Wind River on Saturday, setting personal bests in consecutive matches.

“She set a personal best record on Friday and then broke it on Saturday. Wow!” Townsend said. Against Shoshoni, Rocky Mountain served at 89% and finished with 10 aces and 79 digs.

The Lady Grizz defeated Shoshoni in four sets, 25-12, 28-26, 14-25, 25-17. Rocky Mountain won the opening set and edged Shoshoni in the second before dropping the third. The Lady Grizz recovered to win the fourth and clinch the match.

Rocky Mountain hosted Wind River on Saturday for senior night. Before the match, seniors Charlee Welling, Kaysie Cooley and Halle Grandalen were honored along with their parents, coaches and staff.

“They led this year’s team with integrity and kindness. I love to hear them talking with an underclassman player and pull them along to do a skill the right way. I love the way they cheer the underclassmen as well. They will be missed,” Townsend said.

Needing a win to qualify for Regionals and gain a higher seed, Rocky Mountain swept the Lady Cougars. Wind River continued to battle despite its postseason outlook. Before the match, a Wind River player told her mother, “This is our last game, Mom, we aren’t going to Regionals.” That didn’t deter them from leaving it all on the court.

The Lady Grizz won the first two sets 25-12 and 25-15 before holding off Wind River 28-26 in the third to complete the sweep. Rocky Mountain finished the match with 47 kills and 65 digs.

“I love the way the team stuck with that last set against Wind River. I told them that is called grit – hanging on through thick and thin and pulling off a win,” Townsend said. She also thanked the community for supporting Tammy McFarlane, who is battling breast cancer, during Friday’s Pink Out game.

Rocky Mountain next travels to Lander for the Class 2A West Conference Tournament, where the Lady Grizz will face Saratoga at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. See the tournament brackets for more information.