RMS volleyball teams open against Meeker

RANGELY — The Rangely Middle School volleyball teams had their season opener Saturday, Sept. 6 in Meeker against the Cowboys.
This year’s eighth-grade volleyball team consists of Brittany Babineaux, Emily Cassavaugh, Myriah Moreno, Shelby Neiberger, Kelsey Prosser, Espy Saenz, Quincey Thacker, Heather Turner and manager, Simone Heinle.
“Our team is small in numbers but big in talent,” Coach Valerie Medina said.
In the B match, the Panthers dominated game one, winning 25-3 and they won game two, 25-12. Brittany Babineaux led the team with 19 aces. In the A match, the Panthers were frazzled by a serve receive rotation error and couldn’t make up the difference, losing game one, 13-25. The next game was much better, and it was pretty even throughout the entire game.
The lady Panthers ended up on top, winning 25-23.
This took us to game three (the tiebreaker game to 15). This was another close game, with the biggest lead being three points. The Cowboys came out on top to take the match.
Coach Medina said, “I am very proud of the way the eighth-graders played. The girls that were here last year have really stepped up to help the new girls out and make them feel welcome to the team. These two new additions to our team have never experienced competitive volleyball before and have really jumped right in and are doing a great job. We are happy to have them on the team.”
This year’s RMS seventh-grade volleyball team includes Mallory Smith, Tessa Slagle, Catherine Merino, Darion Collett, Kymberlie Hemphill, Hailee Russell, Aimee Hogan, McKale Pennell, Kimber Kinney, Rachel Dillon and manager Lexie Bell.
The lady Panthers started off strong in the B match with two straight wins over the Cowboys. Tessa Slagle led the team with the most aces. Aimee Hogan was also strong on the serving line. In the A match, the Panthers fought hard, but could not overcome the Cowboys’ strong serves and lost in two straight games.
Coach Sara Baker said, “Overall, the girls did very well for their first volleyball match. We have a good group of girls and I am looking forward to seeing them improve over the season.”
This year’s RMS seventh-grade volleyball team includes Mallory Smith, Tessa Slagle, Catherine Merino, Darion Collett, Kymberlie Hemphill, Hailee Russell, Aimee Hogan, McKale Pennell, Kimber Kinney, Rachel Dillon and manager Lexie Bell.
This week’s athletes of the week were Quincey Thacker and Espy Saenz for eighth grade, and Aimee Hogan and Tessa Slagle for seventh. Please come cheer on the RMS lady Panthers this Saturday, Sept. 13 at home against the Steamboat Sailors. Game time is 10 a.m.