Lady Spartans take Union in three sets

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

After having played a lot of close games in the preseason, the Emery High Lady Spartans played good team volleyball and romped over the Union Cougars in Roosevelt last Thursday night in three straight games.
The Emery varsity team defeated Union 25-19, 25-22 and 25-14. The Emery JV team won as well but it took them four games to do so. Their scores were 25-12, 25-19, 12-15 and 15-11.
Starting for the varsity team were Nikki Rogers, Ashley Alger, Brooke Jensen, Tiffany Tuttle, Markette Tanner and Abbie Kay. Also finding time in the rotation were Kristiann Grange and Michelle Oliver. Starting for the JV team were Brooke Jensen, Laurel Roundy, Jeridi Price, Adrie Huntington, Courtney Tuttle and Makiah Sherman. Also playing were Jolynn Jennings and Makayla Copinga.
In the first varsity game, Union jumped out to the early lead at 5-1 and then led 13-10. Emery tied the score at 15-15 with Alger serving. After the Cougars led 16-15, Emery scored the next five points with Rogers serving to grab the lead that they would then keep as Emery never let Union back in.
The second game was close throughout the match. It was tied at 5, at 8, at 10, at 15, at 18 and at 20 before Emery grabbed the lead for good. Emery led 23-20 with Rogers serving and after Union cut the lead to 23-22, Emery scored the last two points with Jensen serving.
Emery closed out the match with an easy third set victory. Emery took a 3-2 lead extended it to 8-4 and 12-8. With Alger serving, Emery went up 18-11. Emery then went to 21-14 and won 25-14 as Tuttle served the last points.
It appears now that Coach Kris Bell’s lineup is solidifying as the girls have been working hard. Bell was happy with the play at Union as well as the attitude.
Bell commented, “We played awesome. We had good coverage, we blocked well, and we picked up all the balls before they hit the floor. I am proud of them, they played good.”
Emery will play North Sevier in Salina this Tuesday night and then finally come home this Thursday for a game against Uintah.Sophomore action starts at 3:30 with varsity action approximately 7 p.m.