Lady Grizz pull off exciting comeback in Thermopolis

By: 
Stormy Jameson

The Rocky Mountain Lady Grizzlies volleyball team struggled early on in their conference match in Thermopolis Friday evening, dropping the first two sets 25-18 and 25-19.

After going down 0-2 in the game, the Lady Grizz showed their fight and determination and pulled off an impressive come from behind victory, winning the final three sets.

They got into a groove in the third set to win 25-18 to stay alive, but the fourth set was a nail biter.

Both teams traded point for point, and it came down to the wire with Rocky Mountain edging out the Lady Bobcats 26-24 to force a deciding fifth and final set.

The Lady Grizz took that positive momentum, and it carried them to a 15-9 triumph.

“It was such a fun game,” head coach Stephanie Ames said. “Coming back and winning the last three sets was a thrill.”

Ames noted that, as the game progressed, the team’s passing improved, which translated into better sets and attacks from the front row.

The match also represented Thermopolis’ homecoming night, and fans were out in full force, which created an electric environment in the gym.

“Their crowd is always a factor, and our girls handled it very well,” Ames said. “The girls are becoming more mentally tough as the season progresses, and it’s really paying off.”

Coach Ames also explained that she encourages her players to “make their own plans” to take ownership in their performances.

“The team does all of the work, so we have them make game plans before each match,” she said. “When they do that consistently, we win games. They took control, and it was fun to watch.”

Brittly Boettcher had a solid all-around showing, leading the team with 15 kills, three blocks, 11 digs and four aces in the contest.

Lauren Bassett was just behind her with 14 kills, seven blocks, eight digs and one ace, while Tarynn Schoening added seven kills, four blocks, eight digs and an ace of her own.

Shelby Wambeke and Keylee Christiansen shared the setting role and had 22 and 21 assists, respectively, in the game.

Wambeke also had 14 digs and six kills, and Christiansen tallied five kills, five blocks, eight digs and three aces.

At the net, Elliahna Scheeler had two blocks and a kill for the Lady Grizz.

JUNIOR VARSITY

In the junior varsity game in Thermopolis, the Lady Grizz gave the Lady Bobcats a run for their money but came up short after dropping the first set 26-24, winning the second set 25-19, and losing the final set 25-15.

“We only had six players, and it was nice to see the girls take charge from the beginning of the match, down one starter,” JV coach Calli Leonhardt said. “We’ve been working on getting and keeping momentum, and I was very proud of how they got the job done until we fell flat in the third set.”

Kaysie Cooley served five aces in the match and had 10 assists while Halle Grandalen had 10 kills with only one hitting error and racked up 17 digs.

WORLAND JV

On Tuesday evening, the Rocky Mountain Lady Grizzlies hosted the Worland Lady Warriors junior varsity squad for a match in Cowley.

The varsity Lady Grizz swept the JV squad in three straight sets (no scores reported).

Rocky will have a little break in action and won’t play again until next Friday in Greybull and Saturday in Shoshoni.

The freshman team will travel to Powell on Monday for a game beginning at 6:15 p.m. then head to Greybull on Tuesday with the same start time.

 

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