| Kassie Allred sets the ball for Emery. |
Volleyball games are often won not on what you do right but on those things that you don’t do right. I am not sure that is acceptable English but it is the truth. Because of that fact, the Lady Spartans of Emery High School find themselves fighting for victories early in the season.
After participating in tournaments in St. George and Ogden, the Spartans opened their home season with games last week against Union and Richfield. Union won in three straight games to get the win. Scores were 25-18, 26-24 and 25-23. Richfield then in won in five games. Scores were 25-16, 21-25, 20-25, 25-21 and 15-8.
Against Richfield, the Wildcats trailed 15-14 before they scored 11 of the next 12 points to grab the game. In game two, Emery trailed 6-1 and then tied the score at 7-7. They then finished the game out for the win. In game three, Emery got behind 19-15 and then outscored Richfield 10-1 to grab another game.
In game four, Emery led 17-16 and then could not keep the ball on the court; fell behind at 17-22 and then lost. And then came game five. After leading 2-1, it went all down hill. They lost the game and the match.
In game five, Richfield earned only one point, the very last one. On that point, they spiked the ball into Emery’s backcourt for the win. Every other Richfield point came because Emery could not hit the ball and keep it in play.
Bad serves, balls hit into the net, balls hit out of bounds or balls missed gave Richfield their first 14 points of that final game. When Emery does not assist their opponent they do very well. Emery has the potential to be a very talented team.
Leading the team is Rachel Rasmussen. Rachel can spike the ball as well as anyone and probably should get more opportunity to do so. Rachel is a solid player in either the frontcourt or the backcourt.
Madison Jensen had three straight blocks in game three to get Emery off to a good start and Haylie Hansen finished out game three with eight good serves to help Emery get the game and the lead. In games two and three, Emery kept bad serves to a minimum.
Also starting for the Spartans are sophomores Shianne Allred and Sierra Bridgewater, junior Jalee Jensen and senior Kassie Allred. Maegan Luke, Jody Robertson and Billie Jean Reed also see playing time.
Emery will host North Sevier Wednesday Sept. 6 and travel to Wasatch and Duchesne before they open region play. With only two starters back of last season’s team, the Spartans are looking to enhance their team play for the region contests.