Lady Grizzlies Honor Seniors

Last Thursday the Lady Grizzly volleyball team took to their home court for the final time this season.  The Grizzlies hosted top ranked Malad, but prior to the opening serve Grace took the opportunity to honor their three senior players as well as their senior manager.  The three senior players for Grace are Josie Newby, Kate Williams, and Evie Olenslager with senior manager Ellie Robbins.  The four girls were escorted onto the court by their parents and given small gifts by the team and cheerleaders.

Once the senior presentation was over the game got underway.  As I mentioned, the Malad Dragons are a top ranked 3A team that have been rolling over teams including the Grizzlies earlier this season.  The Grizzlies were not expected to put up much of a fight against the bigger Dragon team, but Grace came ready to play.  In addition to great performances by the three senior athletes the Lady Grizzlies also rotated in some younger girls that added some depth to their bench.  Sophomores Brooklyn Porter and Brook Wakefield were used heavily in the first few sets and brought some great energy to go along with the older girls.  Seniors Olenslager and Williams worked the net well earning blocks and kills while Newby was a leader in the backcourt.  Newby used her role as libero to guide the team while coming up with some great digs.  Malad did take control of the first set early but the scrappy Grizzlies would not go away.  After trailing early in the set 10-4 Grace used a timeout and came out on fire.  The Grizzlies closed the gap quickly, eventually tying the game at eighteen points a piece.  The Grizzlies kept up the fight tying the set three more times before finally falling in the first set 25-23.

In the second set the Grizzlies continued to fight to stay in the game and at the midway point of the set they trailed 13-12.  Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Grizzlies would get for the rest of the evening.  The Dragons began to flex their muscles finishing off the second set by outscoring the Grizzlies 12-2 with the final score of 25-14.  The third and final set would be more of the same as the Grizzlies would really take it on the chin losing the third set by the score of 25-11.

Despite the loss the Grizzlies have to feel good about the improved playing they have seen in recent weeks.  They will continue to be put to the test as they wrap up the regular season this week with trips to Soda Springs and Butte County.  Two very solid squads.  Following their trip to Butte County on Thursday the Grizzlies will have to turn right back around and face the Pirates again in the two team district playoff that starts Monday the 21st.