The Emery High Lady Spartan volleyball team had been playing pretty well together and were confident that they would continue doing so as they went into the Utah State 2-A volleyball tournament last week at Utah Valley University. Unfortunately they faced one team that had been playing maybe just a little bit better in the first round and defending champion Enterprise came out on top and kicked the Lady Spartans to the consolation bracket.
Enterprise defeated Emery in three games behind the play of senior Riley Lyman. Lyman quite possibly could be the best volleyball player in the state and certainly is the best in 2-A. The Wolves won 25-9, 25-23 and 25-18. Enterprise then went on and breezed to their second straight 2-A title losing only two sets along the way.
In Emery’s second game, the Spartans romped over Layton Christian in three straight games by the scores of 25-14, 25-19 and 25-15. The games were not as close as the scores were.
Emery went back the second day of the tournament and continued playing well as the Spartan team defeated Kanab first and then Millard to claim sixth place. Region 15 teams San Juan and South Sevier finished third and fourth after the two teams lost to Enterprise and Delta in the semi-finals.
The scores against Kanab were 28-26, 25-22, 18-25 and 26-24. The scores against Millard were 23-25, 25-12, 25-17 and 25-22.
Emery’s seniors have played well throughout their careers. They played well as a unit and each played well individually as they did their jobs. Bailey Rasmussen was involved in many match ending plays with a kill or a block and even a serve. Against Millard she had a kill and two blocks in the final four points of the game. Ashton Bell had the final point of that match as she had a kill shot down the line, things she had done for quite a while.
Cassidy Labrum and Emily Olsen are all over the court, serve well and every once in while come up with a block or a kill shot that assists the team. Lexi Huntington plays well along the front line, blocks a lot of shots from the other team and has been a constant for the Spartans.
Lady Spartans sixth in state tourney action
"2014 Lady Spartans volleyball team: Ashton Bell, Cassidy Labrum, Emily Olsen, Bailey Rasmussen, Lexi Huntington, Camrey Johnson, Jessica Mason, Bayler Griffin, Jessica Olsen, Skyler Sitterud, Aniston Curtis, Emily Ussery, Jacey Shiew, Kabri Butler, Brooklynn OIsen, Lainee Jensen, Kira Saling, Morgann Donaldson, Larissa Thompson, Abbie Huntington, Sam Morgan, Jayla Weston, Coach Kris Bell, Coach Jen Jewkes, Coach Shanae Butler."