The Mustang volleyball team defended their undefeated status in two league games last week. On Wednesday, they beat the visiting Yerington Lions in four sets (25-22, 17-25, 25-17, 25-13).
Saturday, they traveled to Tahoe City and trounced the Lakers in five sets (27-25, 25-21, 25-27, 20-25, 15-9). To make the Mustang win even better, the North Tahoe Lakers are the defending State champions.
With the wins, the Mustangs stand at 18-3, overall, and 7-0 in the 2A Northern League.
Mustangs turn deficit into win against Yerington
Passing errors plagued the Mustangs at the start of the Yerington game, leading to a six-point deficit. Initially, Yerington’s setter and middle hitter flummoxed Lovelock, throwing them off course multiple times. However, powerful hits from Khloe Montes and Raegan Burrows soon got Lovelock on track.
“Khloe (Montes) has stepped up her game offensively and places the ball with speed and conviction,” said coach Monica Halverson. Montes had six aces, two kills and four digs.
“Having Raegan (Burrows) play all six spots is beneficial because she consistently digs the ball and puts it into a winning point situation for us,” she added. Burrows had 26 kills and 30 digs.
“Arya Garland’s communication in the back court helped us to pick up the wicked right line hits that scored many points for our team,” Halverson said. Garland, a sophomore libero, had four aces and 27 digs. Her back row attacks resulted in three kills.
Aaliyah Allen added an ace, three kills, three massive blocks, two assists and 15 digs. The coach noted the consistent improvement of Allen’s defensive coverage.
Laura Gomez had four digs. Kyra Cerini added two aces, two kills and four digs. Mia Canchola had 13 assists and one dig. Jaymie George had an ace, 18 assists and 12 digs.Emma Blondheim had five digs. Kenya Vaughan had three kills, two assists and two digs.
“It’s always fun playing Yerington because they are scrappy and play the net aggressively. We outplayed them and got the win. I love it when that happens,” Halverson said.
Mustangs wallop defending State champs
On Saturday, Lovelock confronted a Laker aggressively hitting the ball from both the front and back of the court. Some of the Mustang’s attempts to block and stop this player worked, while others fell flat.
To make matters worse, the Mustangs were short three players. And most of the seven team members present were battling illness.
“Our strategy was to keep that Laker in the back row as much as possible, scoring as many points as we could when she was there. My hitters stepped up to find weak spots in the Laker’s defense,” Halverson said.
Burrows had three aces, 29 kills, two assists and 28 digs. Kenya Vaughan had two blocks and three digs. Garland had 37 digs.
“Arya (Garland) played an outstanding game as our defensive leader by communicating, digging up hard balls and stepping in to assist when our our setter was displaced,” Halverson said.
Montes had a stellar serving game with an ace, three kills, three blocks and three digs.Allen had an ace, four kills, two blocks and 10 digs. George had two aces, one kill off of a setter dump, 41 assists and seven digs.
“I’m pleased with how my team stayed strong for each other. They can beat anybody if they have the right mindset,” Halverson said.
This Friday, Sept. 20, the Mustangs host rival school Battle Mountain. Saturday, the West Wendover Wolverines come to Lovelock ready to play.