HEM digging deep

Last year when the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School girls volleyball went to Lingle for the Dogger Invite, they won only one game out of five.

This year the Lady Miners had a better showing, winning three out of five.

The first opponent was Upton and, although HEM did not prevail, the first set was a close 25-24 and the second match went 25-20.

“The girls were getting used to playing together for the first time as a team and there was some jitters,” Russ Wiggam, HEM athletic director said. “The first set couldn’t have been closer and they played well the second set.”

The Lady Miners won their next game against Midwest in a convincing manner. The first set was 25-12 and the second went 25-15.

“The girls found their footing,” Wiggam said. “The core did well.”

Wiggam was referring to twin sisters, Amy and Madison Campbell and Taylar Scott. The three juniors were strong factors last year when HEM went to the finals in State.

The third game that the Lady Miners played against Sundance did not go well. Wiggam said the young team had some fatigue factor against the physically larger team.

“We come to play big, physical teams because it makes us better as the season goes on, and there were some big hitters on that team,” Wiggam said. “It doesn’t worry us when we lose games like this because at this point, there is a lot of season left.”

The fourth game against Kaycee was not an easy win for HEM. The Lady Miners won the first set handily 25-14. Kaycee came back the next set 13-25. The last set, HEM came out on top 15-11.

“Our team outlasted Kaycee, it was a tremendous game,” Wiggam said. “They dug deep when they had to.”

The win against Kaycee pumped the Lady Miners against Hulett.

The first set was close at 25-23, with HEM prevailing. The second set the Miners took control winning 25-17.

“Amy was on fire,” Wiggam said. “We heard the team breathe a sigh of relief when she rotated to the back. She really had a great set.”

Wiggam said Adrienne Broadwater has done an excellent job for filling in for departed senior Jessica Nelsen.

“There are girls stepping up to help,” Wiggam said. “Hannah Christie and Charla Widdson are doing well. Rainey Wilson is also doing excellent as she gets more time.”

Wiggam said the Lady Miners next game against Encampment is another test.

“You never take a team like Encampment with their winning history for granted, no matter if they are filled with seniors or freshman,” Wiggam said. “We will do our best to win, of course, and that means hard work and digging deep.”

The next scheduled game is against the Lady Tigers in Encampment at 6 p.m. on Sept. and then a tournament in Wind River on Sept. 6.