After closing out the preseason with a win against the Union Cougars, the Emery High Lady Spartans opened region 12 play with a solid victory over the Juab Wasps. Emery defeated Union 3-1 and then defeated Juab 3-2.
Coach Kris Bell talked about her team after the victories, “This team is playing a lot better as a team, we are a lot better on digs, we have started serving better and we are talking to each other better on the court.”
On Thursday of last week, Emery played Juab and won the first game 25-21. Emery scored the first point of the game and then senior Brooke Jensen served three straight points as the Spartans started quickly. Emery’s lead grew to 18-11 and then to 21-12 before Juab made it close at the end.
In game two, Emery led 6-3, 11-7 and 14-9 before the Wasps rallied to narrow the gap to 16-13 and then scored seven straight points to grab the lead at 20-17. Emery cut the deficit to 24-22 before falling 25-22.
In game three, Emery again jumped out to a lead before falling at the end 25-23. Emery led 9-6 and 12-7 before Juab tied the score at 16-16. Emery took the lead back at 19-18 and 23-22 but Juab scored the last three points to grab the win.
Emery, after having just two games that they probably should have won, came out smoking in game four and won easily 25-12 as the Wasps were overcome with the play of the Spartans.Emery led 4-3, 8-5 and 14-10. After Emery scored, Jensen stepped up to serve again and the Spartans scored eight straight points in an impressive offensive display.
In game five, Emery and Juab fought back and forth throughout the game before Emery scored the last three points to win the game and the match. Hailee Rogers, who had served well all night long, served the last two points and Emery had the win.
Against Union, Emery won 25-8 in the first game, 27-25 in the second game, lost 25-22 in the third game and then won the final game 25-19.
In the first game, Union led 7-6 with the Cougars serving. Emery scored the point and then Courtney Tuttle stepped up to serve and the Spartans scored nine straight points to lead 16-7. Blayr Jeffs got a pair of serves in as Emery built the lead and then Jensen helped close out the win with five straight serves.
Game two was a long game that went back and forth and was tied at 24-24. Brittany Fauver served for Emery as they scored the final three points to win. In game three, Emery played well but could not shake the Cougars, as again the game was nip and tuck. Emery led at 21-19 but Union scored three straight points to lead 22-21. Emery tied it at 22-22 but Union then scored the final three points to win their first and only game of the night.
In game four, Emery scored the first three points before trailing at 10-9. Tuttle served three straight followed by Jeffs serving five straight and Emery went from down one to up 19-11. Jensen then served three times and the score was 23-14 before winning 25-19 as Union had one last rally in them.
Emery now hosts Delta this Tuesday night and travels to Manti Thursday night.
Coach Bell finished with, “as a team, we did not have a lot of varsity experience coming into the season but we are coming together well. The girls are playing better as a team.”
Lady Spartans open region play with a win at Juab
"Shandee Jewkes serves for Emery."