Lady Miners take two

"You had two balanced teams meet and we came out on top, but it could have gone the other way several times," Jackie Jones, head coach for the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School Lady Miners volleyball team said.

The Lady Miners played the Encampment Lady Tigers on Friday at 5 p.m. at HEM. The crowd was large and full of support for both teams.

The first set went to the Lady Miners 25-20. The Lady Tigers came back on the next set to take it 25-17.

"Noelle Peterson played a fantastic game," Jones said. "She and Lauren (Buford) can never be underestimated."

The Lady Miners got back into their winning ways with the next set taking it 25-22.

"I could tell each player was giving their all and I was so proud then," Jones said about the set. "Sure, I was nervous when they lost the next set, but I knew the girls could win it all."

The Lady Tigers took the fourth set 25 to 22.

The home crowd could audibly be heard letting out moans in the fifth game when the Lady Tigers started 3 to 0. Then, the Lady Miners started a rally that didn't stop until winning the set 15 to 10.

"I am so proud of this team," Jones said smiling ear to ear. "It was a great victory over a quality opponent."

The next day, the Lady Miners played Guernsey-Sunrise Lady Vikings and came off with another victory.

"The Lady Miners had another good day of volley in Guernsey taking care of business in three straight sets," Jones said. "We are continuing to work on our defense and maximizing offensive opportunities."

HEM beat Guernsey in three straight sets of 25-14, 25-21, 25-2.

"Serving was a highlight of the day with Madison Campbell 32 for 32 and tallying 10 aces," Jones said. "Madison served 19 straight points in the third set alone and it is that type of focus that will help us continue to grow as a team."

The next scheduled game is at 6 p.m. pm Sept. 11 at HEM where they will host Rock River.