Lady Miners make comeback

The first set the Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners lost to the Guernsey-Sunrise Lady Vikings 14 to 25 in the gym of HEM High School.

The home crowd was quiet at the end of the set.

Coach Jackie Jones worried her young team could lose to the Lady Vikings if her team didn’t calm down and communicate with each other.

“On the first set, we were rocked back on our heels because that is not how we play volleyball,” Jones said. “It is not the way we practice, so after that set, the girls went back to the three basics of the game, serve-receive, serve and communication.”

She said the first set, the girls were hesitant and just hoping the ball would go over the net.

The Lady Miners played like a different team on the second set and the results show it. They won the set 25 to 14.

“We knew coming in, this team has a ton of potential,” Jones said but because there are four freshman starting, she knows the girls are still figuring out their roles on the team.

The third set, the Lady Miners won 25 to 16. There was confidence showing by the players, in particular Amy Campbell who is one of the freshman.

The last set had the Miners on top 25 to 12.

Jones was proud of what her young team accomplished and happy they didn’t let the first set get to them.

“A lot of our gametime has four freshman on the court,” Jones said.

Jones said her players are starting to figure out the finer points of the game and that is what is really enjoyable about watching her team.

“I tell the girls when they play to their potential, when they play like that as a unit, this game is a lot more fun,” Jones said.

The team listened to their coach and responded by winning convincingly after the first set.

Jones said all games are important, but Guernsey-Sunrise being in their conference adds a little more pressure. The next team the Miners face is Glendo-Rock River which is also a conference game.

She is pleased with how the team is pulling together after their second game.

“They are starting to gel and instead of six individuals trying to do their own thing, they are coming together,” said Jones. “I am just so proud of them even though we know we still have a long road ahead of us.”

The Miners next face Glendo-Rock River 5:45 p.m. Friday at Rock River.