RANGELY I The Rangely High School volleyball team went won one and lost two matches over the weekend, beating Vail Mountain on Thursday before falling to Meeker and Hotchkiss on Friday and Saturday.
The Panthers began their weekend at home and played great ball, beating Vail Christian in three straight games. They served 95 percent as a team, led by Justyne Dembowski. who had 18 serves with three aces.
Carrie Goddard served 15 times with seven aces, Dorris had six aces from her 16 serves.
Leading the way in attacks for the Panthers was Katelyn Brown with five kills off 15 attacks, Katye Allred had 12 attacks and three kills.
Rangely beat Vail 25-17, 25-15, and walked away in the final game 25-9.
The team traveled to Meeker on Friday for match that is always exciting. They came out a little nervous in the first game, hitting the ball hard but just missing the mark in their early attempts. The game was tied several times, but Meeker won 25-17. Sarah Connor led the way for the Panthers, playing big at the net. She had five solo blocks, and six kills from 12 attacks. Connor played beyond her years, and changed the momentum in the game at times.
Classmate Katelynn Brown had six kills from 26x attempts and two blocks. Lindzey Thacker added four kills and Katye Allred had three.
The second game found Rangely ahead at times and the effort by both teams made for great volleys. Outstanding digs from both sides kept the ball alive with Heinle, Goddard and Brown leading the team in digs.
The final score of game two was 25-19, setting up a very exciting game three.
Again, the Panthers led at points during the game and were tied at 21. Setter Sierra Brannen came in and played well with several assists in the final game, but the team came up short 25-22.
Coach Jimmie Mergelman said, “Meeker played a good match and I did not feel like we played to our potential.” Saturday, the girls played Cedaredge.
The Bruins came out strong and never let up.
Connor led the Rangely team in kills with eight, Brown with six and Thacker with four. Thacker led servers with 15 and Goddard and Brown lead in digs with 10 and eight, respectively.
“We lost to a very good team,” Mergelman said.
Rangely will play Plateau Valley again Friday, looking to get back on track, and they have a rematch with Cedaredge on Saturday.
The team played some outstanding volleyball, and certainly offered their opponents all they could handle at times.
“We have to continue working to get better every day,” Mergelman said.
