Lady Grizzlies peak at the right time heading into Regionals

The Rocky Mountain Lady Grizzlies are surging into postseason play with confidence and chemistry after sweeping Thermopolis on the road Friday, 25-16, 25-19, 25-13.

Rocky’s balanced attack proved too much for the Bobcats as Lauren Bassett pounded 14 kills and added 9 digs and several key blocks. Halle Grandalen turned in one of her best all-around matches of the season with 11 kills, 4 aces and 9 digs while serving a perfect 18-for-18.

Setter Keylee Christiansen kept the offense humming, distributing 34 assists and adding 6 digs as she contributed to a near-flawless 95 percent team serving performance. Kaysie Cooley anchored the back row with a team-high 12 digs to go with 8 kills, while Charlee Welling and Layla Gardner contributed steady play at the net and on defense.

Head coach Kay Townsend said she’s pleased with how her team has come together late in the season.

“We’ve really focused on playing as one unit, everyone doing their job and trusting each other,” she said. “Our serving and defense have been big difference makers.”

With Regionals set to begin Friday in Lander, Rocky Mountain appears to be hitting its stride at just the right time.

“The girls are confident but hungry,” Townsend said. “We know what we’re capable of, but we also know we have to earn every point.”

The Lady Grizzlies appear to be enjoying themselves and playing with enthusiasm. Coach Townsend agreed, noting that the team is peaking at the right moment.

“I truly believe that we are exactly where we need to be,” she said. “We have been talking a lot about teamwork and working together on the floor. Volleyball is that sport that needs all six players, as well as the bench, to do their roles each game.”

Townsend brings a wealth of postseason experience back to the Rocky Mountain volleyball program. Though this marks her first trip to the postseason as head coach in more than 21 years, it’s hardly unfamiliar territory. Townsend first led the Lady Grizzlies from 2000 to 2004 after starting as an assistant coach in 1996, guiding multiple talented squads through competitive regional play.

For Townsend, this year feels like a homecoming.

“It’s like coming full circle,” she said with a smile. “The excitement of the game and coaching again has made me feel ten years younger but has also reminded me that I’m 20 years older. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Now back at Rocky, she finds special joy in coaching the daughters and nieces of her former players, continuing a legacy that spans nearly three decades of local athletics. Her passion for the sport shines through in the way the Lady Grizz have been playing lately, showing energy, confidence and readiness for the postseason.

The Lady Grizzlies will enter the 2A West Regional Tournament as the No. 2 seed out of the 2A Northwest with an overall record of 18-9 and a conference mark of 4-2.

Rocky opens regional tournament play at 2:30 p.m. Friday against Wyoming Indian, the third seed out of the Southwest. If the Lady Grizz win, they will play a semifinal match at 9 p.m. Friday against the winner of the Big Piney-Thermopolis match. A loss to Wyoming Indian would drop Rocky to a 9 p.m. match in the auxiliary gym against the Big Piney-Thermop loser.