Lady Miners conquer Guernsey-Sunrise

It was senior day and Homecoming and the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School Lady Miners wanted to give their fans a day to remember.

Steve Priest, principal of HEM, was keeping close tabs on the crowd to make sure it didn't surpass 250 people. Masks were required at all times for fans, but the coverings didn't mute the shouts of support as the Lady Miners took on Guernsey-Sunrise.

In the 1st set, the Lady Miners scored first and got another point before the Lady Vikings put a point on the board. The next volley had the Lady Miners take over and the score was 3-1. Charla Widdison stepped up and served and the Lady Miners went ahead 10-1 before Guernsey called a time out. It did little good as Widdison continued to serve and HEM kept winning. It was 15-1 before the Lady Vikings stopped HEM from scoring for a few moments. The score was 15-4. It didn't take long for HEM to start scoring again and, in a blink, the score was 18-5. The Lady Miners made few errors and the set ended 25-7.

Amy Campbell started serving in the next set and the Lady Miners went ahead 6-0 before the Lady Vikings put a stop to HEM winning points. Guernsey won the next two points making the score 6-2. The Lady Vikings were keeping the score much closer as HEM still led 8-5. Then three points in a row went to HEM and they were 11-5. Guernsey didn't give up, but they couldn't match how Madison Campbell distributed the ball evenly to teammates when she got the ball set up. The Lady Vikings did get to double figures this set, but still lost 25-13.

Amy Campbell started serving for HEM first and had 12 unanswered points. The Lady Vikings had no answer to HEM during this run. Once they did stop HEM they scored a few points, but the Lady Miners were substantially ahead 14-3. Try as the Lady Vikings might, they could not catch up to the Lady Miners, who won the set 25-7.

After the game, the royal court was announced. Ura Schmidt was crowned Homecoming King and Hayley Felton was Homecoming Queen.

Head Coach Jackie Jones was happy with the results as the Lady Miners went 13-2 overall.

"Its nice to see the girls come out and take care of things," Jones said. "With it being senior night of course there were emotions but, once again, this team comes out and does what is expected of them."

Jones was pleased with Madison Campbell's role as setter.

"Madison tonight distributed the ball really well," Jones said. "We know Amy and Taylar (Scott) are going to get those big hits from the outside, but I thought Madison did a great job moving the ball around. She got Avery (Scott) and Charla the ball."

Jones said the next two games coming are against teams that will be gunning for the Lady Miners, but she knows the team will work hard to get ready.

"I always tell the girls there is a difference between feeling confident and then letting it go the other way," Jones said. "But this group is so humble and modest and they just work their tails off for every game."

The next team the Lady Miners face will be Dubois at 3:15 p.m. on October 10 in Hanna. It is a non-conference game. Earlier in the season, HEM beat Dubois.