Encampment secures pigtail game for regionals

The Encampment Lady TIgers have secured a pigtail game for themselves as the regular season draws to a close with only one conference game remaining. Last week, Encampment went 1-2 as they played three conference games.

On Thursday evening, the Lady Tigers hosted the Saratoga Lady Panthers and were hosted by the Cokeville Lady Panthers and Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns on Saturday.

Lady Tigers vs. Saratoga

When the Lady Panthers had hosted Encampment earlier this season, it had taken five sets for Saratoga to gain a win over the Lady Tigers. With home court advantage, there was the chance Encampment would be able to return the favor to the Lady Panthers. Instead, Saratoga would deliver defeat to Encampment in four sets.

The 1st set saw the Lady Tigers fall by 12 points, 13-25. The 2nd set was a little less one-sided, with Encampment only trailing by two points to the Lady Panthers with a score of 23-25. The 3rd set saw the Lady Tigers take a swipe at Saratoga, 25-17. The Lady Panthers returned in the 4th set, taking it 20-25 over Encampment.

Lady Tigers vs. Cokeville

On Saturday, the Lady Tigers hit the road for two more conference games and were hosted by the other Lady Panthers of the 1A Southwest Conference in Cokeville. Though Encampment was still looking for a conference win, the Lady Panthers would dispatch the Lady Tigers in three sets. Encampment would go 12-25, 17-25, 12-25.

Lady Tigers vs. Farson-Eden

The hunt for a conference win finally bore fruit for Encampment as they were hosted by the Lady Pronghorns on Saturday afternoon. While Farson-Eden had evaded the Lady Tigers in five sets last month, Encampment would flip the script this time to sink their claws into the Lady Pronghorns.

“It was a battle and the girls overcame some deficits to get the win,” said Janice Peterson, head coach of the Encampment Lady Tigers.

In the win over Farson-Eden, Eckerley Pickett led in scoring with 18 points. Kyenna Jackson had 11 kills, Kristie Jordan had 10 kills and Pickett had 9 kills. Jordan, meanwhile, was the lead digger with 24 digs, followed by Pickett with 21 and Jackson with 19.

Jackson also had 5 solo blocks and 4 assisted blocks while Savannah Fagan had 4 solo blocks and 2 assisted blocks. Regin Stewart had 6 block assists. Sami Anderson, meanwhile, led in setting with 62 attempts and 16 assists.

“It was an incredible team effort and when they pulled together, they were able to showcase their ability as a team,” said Peterson.

The score across the five sets was 14-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 15-10.

After this weekend, the Encampment Lady TIgers are 8-7 for the season and 1-6 for conference play. The Lady Tigers will end their regular season with two games, with a non-conference match against the Rock River Lady Longhorns on October 19 in Rock River and a conference match against the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers on October 21 in Baggs.