Facing tough competition

On Oct. 9 the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) varsity volleyball team faced the Saratoga Lady Panthers at HEM.

It was senior day and Taylee Widdison and Jessica Nelson were honored with a ceremony before the game.

The Lady Panthers went into the meeting with a 17-2 record and wanted to make it 18.

The first game, the Lady Panthers took control and although the Lady Miners kept it close in the beginning, Saratoga won 25-17.

"We never go into a game thinking we can't win it," Jackie Jones, head volleyball coach said. "We step in with every intention to compete to win."

She said that Saratoga is a quality volleyball team in the State and anything to be taken away from the meeting will make the Lady Miners stronger.

The second game proved Jones correct about her team being able to beat the Lady Panthers. The Lady Miners took the lead early and although the Lady Panthers never were out of the game, HEM beat Saratoga 25-21. The crowd got excited because one of HEM's better players, Amy Campbell, was sidelined with an injury.

"Because Amy was not in the game, we had players step up and communicate in a way that was extremely strong," Jones said. "Megan (Hunter) was terrific and I can't say enough about Taylor Scott and her hustle play. That young lady is all over the court."

The third game went to the Lady Panthers as they dispatched the Lady Miners 25-13.

The loss of the third game did not seem to faze the Lady Miners in the fourth game as they got ahead. HEM was up 16-11 and the crowd felt another upset coming on. It was not to be. The Lady Miners stalled at 16 and the Lady Panthers went on a scoring spree beating HEM 25-16.

"You always want the win and you would be silly to say otherwise," Jones said. "But there was tons of positives that came out of meeting a quality team like Saratoga."

Jones also had praise for Madison Campbell stepping up in center and Nelson who joined the team late, but made some huge plays.

"Jessica is coming into her own," Jones said.

On Thursday, the Lady Miners met the 2 A Wyoming Indian Lady Chiefs to beat them in three games.

The Lady Miners had met the Lady Chiefs earlier on Sept. 13 beating them in four games. One of the games was a barn burner in the words of Jones at 34-32. Jones said for the Lady Miners to win in such decisive manner this time around made her feel correct in playing strong teams instead of taking an easier road.

The Lady Miners won the games 25-16, 25-21, 25-17.

She was happy that A. Campbell was well enough to play.

"Amy played front row and led the team with kills and her heart is what that girl boils down to," Jones said. "It was not only good for Amy, but it was good for the team to see her back taking care of business."

Jones said a stat she is proud of against Wyoming Indian was the Lady Miners only missed two serves the entire night.

"We were able to push points and do what we needed to do against an actually improved scrappy Wyoming Indian team," Jones said. "It was a great win for us."

The Lady Miners next scheduled game is facing Glendo and Rock River on Oct. 16 at Rock River.