Encampment end season with growth

The Encampment Lady Tigers were dealt two losses as their regular season came to an end on October 23. While a loss to the Rock River Lady Longhorns on October 22 wasn’t a conference game, a loss to conference foes the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers the next day kept them with only one conference win for the season.

While last season the Lady Tigers had been able to secure a spot in the 1A West Regional Tournament, the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had a significant impact on Encampment as they attempted to get into the quadrant tournament.

“I’m proud of the girls for continuing to work hard and push themselves all the way to the end of the season,” said Robin Brown, head coach of the Encampment Lady Tigers. “We wish it would have ended a bit better and, just like everything else in 2020, our postseason chances were changed due to COVID restrictions. I think the girls learned and grew this season especially in the areas of teamwork and leadership”

Lady Panthers vs.

Lady Longhorns

On October 22, Encampment traveled to Rock River to be hosted by the Lady Longhorns. While there, the Lady Tigers would go 1-3 with Rock River as the Lady Longhorns secured wins in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th sets. Encampment would manage to take one set from Rock River, going 25-19 in the 3rd set.

Senior Shiann Finney led in attacking the net against the Lady Longhorns with 14 kills and was followed by sophomore Cora Schroeder with 12 kills. Sophomore Allison Bromley had 6 kills against Rock River and seniors Grace Tieszen and Lizzi James each had 4 kills.

In serving, Bromley and Schroeder each served 4 aces against Rock River while Tieszen served 3 aces and Finney served 2 aces.

James and Schroeder both had 10 digs against the Lady Longhorns and were followed by Bromley, Finney and sophomore Peyton Munroe who all had 9 digs. Tieszen had 8 digs against Rock River.

Ultimately, the Lady Tigers went 21-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-27 against Rock River.

Lady Panthers vs.

Lady Rattlers

Similar to their game against Rock River, the Lady Tigers would go 1-3 against LSRV as they were hosted by the Lady Rattlers. While Encampment was able to secure the 1st set, LSRV took the following three sets to deal the Lady Tigers their final conference loss of the season.

“It seemed that the girls worked hard and left it all out there on Friday against LSRV, it just wasn’t quite enough,” Brown said. “We played a bit hesitant with our hitting and didn’t fully hit as hard and as accurately as we would have liked.”

Despite the score, the Lady Tigers put up impressive numbers against LSRV.

In attacking, Schroeder had 9 kills against the Lady Rattlers and was followed by Tieszen with 6 kills and Bromley with 5 kills. Munroe and Finney each had 4 kills against LSRV.

Schroeder served 8 aces against LSRV to lead the team. Munroe, Finney and James each served 1 ace against the Lady Rattlers.

Finney was quick to drop to the ground as she led with 14 digs against LSRV and was followed by Tieszen with 9 digs. Bromley and Munroe each had 8 digs and Schroeder had 7 digs.

Though they took the 1st set 25-19, the remaining three sets would see Encampment go 8-25, 20-25, 23-25 against the Lady Rattlers. The Lady Tigers ended the year going 5-11 for the season and 1-7 in conference play. While Brown may see some core players return next year, she loses James, Tieszen and Finney as this was their final year playing for Encampment.

“I think the girls learned and grew this season especially in the areas of teamwork and leadership,” said Brown. “I hope this growth will continue through their basketball season and into the offseason training. This is a great group of girls that worked hard all season.”