Going into the last weekend of volleyball, the freshman team took on the Vail Christian Saints on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Panthers had nothing to lose and wanted to finish the season off strong. Set one was won by the Panthers with a score of 25-21. Set two was won by the Saints with a score of 25-17. This led to a third set which the Panthers swept the Saints 15-7. Kaelyn Geer led the team in aces with three. Paytin Kendall led the team in kills with five.
The lady Panthers knew the competition would be tough but were up for the challenge. The first set was exciting as the Panthers lost 24-26. The second set the Panthers came out with the fire from the first set and took set two 25-20. Set three the Panthers’ passing game was challenged and dropped set three 22-25. Fourth set the Panthers passed better but wasn’t enough to hold off Vail Christian, dropping the set 21-25. Kaitlyn Cox led with seven aces with Karlee Halcomb chipping in three aces. Kyrah Phelps led the team in kills with 13, Lexi LeBleu added seven kills and Ashlynn Ducey had six kills. Emmeree Wagner and Annika Cantrell did a nice job at the net defensively both having five blocks each. Emma Smith led with 22 digs with Kyrah Phelps adding in 19 digs and Kristiana Terry digging up 12.
Caprock
The last game of the season for the freshman team was on Oct. 29 against Caprock. The girls really wanted to win their last game of the season with the team they had because next year some of their teammates will not be returning. There were a lot of emotions going into this game and the girls were ready to fight. The Panthers won the first set 25-21. Caprock won the second set 25-21. The last set was anyone’s game, it was going to be whichever team wanted it the most. The Panthers pushed hard and gave 110% and came out with a victory winning the last set 15-8.
“As a coach I am beyond proud of my girls and the team. They have improved so much. Our wins do not show our talent and improvement, but I can see it every day from the moment they stepped in the gym for practice. I will take improvement over a win any day. I want to thank all the girls for allowing me to coach them and trusting me when I made changes,” said head coach Marybel Cox.
In the last home game of the season the Panthers went out with a bang, winning in three sets: 25-18, 25-16 and 25-19. Miley Chism led the team in aces with three. Halcomb and Cox did a nice job moving the ball around to all hitters as Phelps had nine kills, LeBleu and Wagner each had four kills, and Cantrell had three. LeBleu led with three blocks and Phelps led with 22 digs and Smith behind her with 15.
“We would like to thank our seniors, Kyrah Phelps and Kristana Terry, for their commitment to the team the last four years!” coach Cox said.
Rangely is heading into post season as they will travel to St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs for play Saturday against St. Mary’s and Burlington.
Special to the Herald Times
