Lady Grizzly netters crush Thermop on Senior Night

By: 
David Peck

The Rocky Mountain Lady Grizzlies celebrated Senior Night in style Friday night, sweeping the Thermopolis Bobcats 3-0 to clinch second place in the final 2A West standings.

“It was an absolutely electric environment in the gym. The girls came out hot and didn’t let up,” said a pleased head coach Stephanie Ames.

Rocky won a hard-fought first set 25-20, then took the close second set 25-22. The third set was all Rocky as the Lady Grizz crushed the visitors 25-10.

“We were able to play like we’ve been trying to all season and start strong and stay up,” Ames said. “The girls were so hungry, and it really showed. They executed everything well. As far as overall team performance, it was definitely our best game of the year so far.

“The girls weren’t letting down. They let very little hit the floor. Our coverage on hitting and blocking was amazing, and our serve receive was on, too. We spread out our hitting and kept Thermop on their toes trying to decide who was going up. It was awesome.”

The game was the final home contest for seniors Brittly Boettcher, Elliahna Scheeler, Tarynn Schoening and Shelby Wambeke.

“The crowd was on fire for the game. It was exciting and emotional that night with it being Senior Night, and it was just all you could hope for,” Ames said.

Junior Lauren Bassett led the team with nine kills in the match, and Boettcher and Schoening added eight each, Wambeke four, Keylee Chistiansen three and Scheeler two.

Bassett led the team with four assisted blocks, and Boettcher and Schoening had two apiece. Wambeke had 15 set assists, Christiansen 14, while both Bassett and Schoening had two service aces.

Bassett had 12 digs, Boettcher 11, Wambeke nine, Layla Gardner eight, Scheeler five, Christiansen four and Schoening two.

Road trip

With the highway to Dayton having opened mid-week due to better control of the massive Elk Fire, the Grizzlies were able to take the direct route to play second-ranked Tongue River Saturday.

Ames said coaches used the non-conference game against the always tough Eagles to prepare for the upcoming regional tournament.

The hometown Eagles prevailed 25-18, 25-21, 24-26, 25-15.

“We were happy to be able to go over the mountain with the road opening up. It’s never fun to have to go the long way to Dayton,” Ames said. “We knew Tongue River would be tough; they always are. They are solid and hard hitting.

“We wanted to be sure to embrace the game as a great practice for Regionals. To be able to play a team who hits hard, blocks well and is scrappy is just the kind of game you want. We played pretty well, and I was able to use my subs quite a bit. I wanted to get them some time on the floor to prepare for post season. TR was a good place to do it.”

Of the four-set match, Ames noted, “We were happy to take a set from them and hang in the other sets. They are definitely a favorite going into the state tournament, and we know we can challenge them.”

Bassett led the Lady Grizz with 12 kills Saturday, and Boettcher spiked for nine, Schoening five, Wambeke four. Boettcher and Halle Grandalen had two solo blocks each, and Boettcher had five assisted blocks, Grandalen four.

Christiansen finished with 14 set assists, Wambeke nine. Grandalen led with two aces. Boettcher had 16 digs, Scheeler, Wambeke and Bassett six each, Christiansen four.

Regional tournament

Heading to the regional tournament in Lander as the second seed out of the northwest, the Lady Grizz will open play against southwest third seed Wyoming Indian at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the auxiliary gym at Lander Valley High School.

If they win, the Lady Grizz will meet the winner of the Kemmerer-Shoshoni match Friday at 6 p.m. in the LVHS Fieldhouse. If they fall to the Chiefs, the Grizz will play the Kemmerer-Shoshoni loser in the auxiliary gym Friday at 6 p.m.

Play continues on Saturday.

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