Griz spikers pass ‘Dogs in three sets

GOLDEN SIERRA'S Becca Brown delivers a kill to Encina in Monday's sweep at home. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

GARDEN VALLEY — One minute and 11 seconds was all that remained Monday for the Golden Sierra High volleyball team to win its Sierra Delta League contest against Encina at Rod Hedlund Gym.

The Grizzlies swept the Bulldogs, 25-6, 25-11, 25-8 in a match that saw Golden Sierra coach Justin Cox challenge his team to defeat Encina in 45 minutes or less.

“We were trying to hustle,” setter Tiffany Grey said.

Cox added, “I wanted to make sure that they were keeping their focus, pushing the ball and when we got a run we want to keep the momentum going. I wanted them to have some sort of urgency during the match.”

The passing game played a role for Golden Sierra. In the first set, the Griz jumped out 16-3 thanks to Grey’s passing and outside hitter Jamie Hinton and junior outside hitter/middle blocker Abigail Wever.

“We always want to work on our passing and defense,” Cox said. “We want to get into those matches against the better teams we are better prepared.”

Setter Kaleigh Brothers served two aces in the first set for the Grizzlies, who increased their lead to 20-4. The first game finished when Kourtney Brothers killed the ball down the center of the court.

“We’re trying to be a real good passing team,” Grey said.

After the Grizzlies jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set, a series of sideouts led to the Bulldogs trimming the lead to 6-4. But a series of aces from Tristan Nedeigh led to Golden Sierra extending its lead  en route to victory.

The Grizzlies were fast and furious in the third set, jumping out to an 11-4 advantage behind the service points and aces from setter Jordyn Condit, Wever and middle blocker Becca Brown. Kaleigh Brothers had the final point with a kill for the win.

Grey finished with 14 assists and three digs while outside hitter Alexis Hall had five aces, six kills and four digs. Kenise Clark had 10 digs and two aces and Hinton had five aces, four kills and four digs.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter. 

Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been working at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Mike is the Sports Writer and Features Writer.

View all my stories Email Me MBushMtDemo