Lady Miners Corral Lady Longhorns

Rock River

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School girls volleyball team had the Rock River High School girls volleyball team visit on Friday and came away with a conference victory from a team that is always competitive.

The first game had Rock River go ahead with two unanswered points before HEM scored. The Lady Longhorns got up by two points early and were leading 3-5. The Lady Miners rallied and took the lead 6-5 with a Hanna Christie serve.

The lead went back to the Lady Longhorns at 7-8. The Lady Miners tied it up twice before Rock River got ahead 10-12.

HEM went on a tear for four points making it 14-12. The Lady Longhorns tied it up 15-15. During this game, one team looked to be pulling ahead, only to have the other team come right back. When Rock River went ahead 15-17, HEM head coach Jackie Jones took a time out. It worked, but the Lady Longhorns came right back. The score was an even 22-22 and then HEM got two unanswered points. The Lady Longhorns took a time out, but it didn't stop the Lady Miners from hitting their winning point making the score 25-22.

The next game had the Lady Longhorns score first again. The beginning of the game was almost a repeat of the first one. Then, the Lady Miners scored three unanswered points and the score was 6-3. The Lady Longhorns didn't quit, but stayed behind three points. HEM got ahead 11-8, but Rock River pulled closer with a score of 12-10. Then the Lady Miners took control and the score was 19-12. The Lady Longhorns were on the ropes. A time out by Rock River didn't help. Amy Campbell made a kill shot as the Lady Miners beat the Lady Longhorns 25-14 in the second game.

In the third game, the Lady Miners scored first, but the Lady Longhorns took the lead minutes later 1-4. The Lady Miners dug deep and tied it up 4-4. HEM kept going, and the score was 8-4. Rock River pulled together to score some points after a drought, pulling within one point with a score of 9-8 and then tying it up 10-10. The Lady Miners came together and got ahead 17-11. The writing was on the wall, but Rock River was not laying down. They got close with 20-17, but then HEM players got the score to 23-17 and, try as they might, Rock River couldn't get close enough for the win. The score ended at 25-20.

"The scores don't indicate how tough this team is," Jones said. "Their main setter was out and their freshman did a great job. I think once she gets more experience, they are going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Jones said the first game, the Lady Miners had to settle down some before getting into their system.

"This team never gave up and that is very characteristic of a Heather Alexander coached team," Jones said. "They fight and scrap. You can definitely see how she gets them to rise to occasion. Both our teams are similar this way."

Jones said, as a collective group, there is still more for the team to accomplish.

"Tomorrow we hope to come away with some more wins," Jones said.

Lusk Tournament

On Saturday at the Lusk tournament, the Lady Miners walked away beating three schools and losing to one.

The first team the Lady Miners played was Upton on Friday evening. The Lady Bobcats were no match for the Lady Miners in the best out of three games losing 25-15 and 25-8. The next team for HEM to play was on Saturday morning was Guernsey-Sunrise. The Lady Vikings were a good breakfast for the Lady Miners with scores being 25-7 and 25-14.

The Moorcroft Lady Wolves were a different story. The first game went to Moorcroft 25-15. The Lady Miners regrouped and won the second game 25-14. The third game got away from HEM quickly and the Lady Miners lost 3-15.

The Lady Miners last opponent were the Lady Tigers of Niobrara County. The first game, the Lady Miners took it easily 25-10. The Lady Tigers played the next game tough and came away with a win 22-25. HEM was not to be denied. The third game had them win 15-9.

"What I like about this group of girls, is when we lose," Jones said, "the team has one strong practice. It makes my job that much easier."

The next game is at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, at HEM against Saratoga. At their last meeting on Sept. 20, the Lady Panthers won.