Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Lady Warrior Talon Andersen chases down a ball during a match against Powell on Tuesday night at Worland High School.
LOVELL - The Worland Lady Warriors volleyball team did not have much time to recover after Tuesday night's heartbreaking loss to the Powell Lady Panthers. They were back in action Thursday night against 3A Northwest rival the Lovell Lady Bulldogs. It took half a set for Worland to shake off Tuesday's loss but once they did, it was smooth sailing as they downed Lovell 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-15) at Lovell High School.
"We just stayed with it even when we were behind. We finished and served a lot better than we did Tuesday night and that put pressure on them [Lovell]," said WHS volleyball coach Brittany Miller.
Miller stuck with her new rotation of Alexa Caballero as the setter and Kate Wassum at the libero. After shaking off the slow start the Lady Warriors offense picked up where they left off from Tuesday night.
Having Wassum and her ability to chase down seemingly any and every ball and Caballero dishing out perfect sets to the hitters, has been a big boost to the Worland offense, and considering this was only the second match with this rotation, bigger and better days could be ahead for the Lady Warriors.
"It was still rigid, but it got better tonight [Thursday]. We looked tired tonight but it was the seventh match in seven days. We just kept saying we have to power through, finish and serve tough," said Miller.
Senior hitter Emily Baumstarck carried over her strong play from Tuesday night into the match against Lovell, by delivering big hit after big hit. Her emergence over the last two matches gives Worland another wrinkle and that more dynamic of a team.
"It helps having Alexa in the position to get her the ball, a nice high outside set. It's nice having Kate in the backcourt because she's so fast. Alexa can push it high to Baumstarck because Baumstarck needs a high ball to swing at," said Miller.
The Lady Warriors are next in action against the Lander Lady Tigers on Oct. 20 at Lander Valley High School at 6 p.m. If the Lady Warriors defeat the Lady Tigers they secure second place in the 3A Northwest and head into the 3A West regional tournament as the No. 2 seed out of the Northwest.
Last time the two teams met was on Sept. 20 at Worland High School, to which the Lady Warriors won 3-1 (25-23, 25-11, 23-25, 25-21).
Having over a week to prepare the Lady Warriors have time to fine-tune their new rotation as they look to close out the regular season on a high note.
"Lander is playing really tough volleyball and they have amazing outside hitters. Our goal is the same as it's been all year, to get better every day. We can't be the same team we were the day before," said Miller.
