Lady Miners are done

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School volleyball team knew this was going to be a year for learning and growing. Head coach for the Lady Miner volleyball team, Hannah Williams said this in the beginning of the season.

It was her first year and she acknowledged having a young team. All she wanted from her team was improvement after each game. Williams said every coach wants to win games, but her focus was to get the girls better at the end of the year.

The Lady Miners went to regionals, but did not have a chance of advancing, killed by a loss to the Upton Lady Bobcats, who had lost to Rock River earlier in the tournament.

“I will say the girls came out ready to play at regionals,” Williams said. “They moved and talked more than they have during the regular season.” 

The Lady Miners lost the first set 14 to 25. The next game HEM fared a little better, losing 15 to 25. The last did not go all that well and the Lady Miners dropped it 9 to 25.

Before losing to the Lady Bobcats, the Lady Miners lost their first game in regionals to the Hulett Lady Devils. The Lady Devils will be going to State.

The first set of the game against Hulett, the Lady Miners lost 9 to 25. The next set was a little better but HEM went down against the Lady Devils 12 to 25. The last set, the Lady Miners did hit double figures with 10 points, but they did not have as good a set as the one before.

The Lady Miners did win a game this season, so the year did have high points for the girls.

Next year, with many players returning, HEM should see more wins with the foundation Williams and the returning girls have under their belt. 

“Win or lose, at the end of the day, I look at the progress that has been made across the whole team, and that tells me that our season was a success,” Williams said. “I am excited to cheer the girls on in other sports and then come spring/summer, for next season.”

Williams had words for the three players that won’t be returning.

“I have to give a shout out to my three seniors,” Williams said. “They have been the heart and soul of the team and have helped us immensely. They will be greatly missed, but they know that they are always welcome back.”