Encampment volleyball eliminated from regionals, head coach looks to next season with slate of returning players
The season has come to an end for the Encampment Lady Tigers, who were knocked out of the 1A West Regional Tournament in two matches over the weekend.
Last Monday, October 23, the Lady Tigers punched their ticket to the regional tournament in Riverton after taking down the Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns in three sets. That win, while getting them into the regional tournament, also put them against the No. 1 ranked Riverside Lady Rebels who were 8-9-2 for the season and 4-0 in conference play. For a brief moment, it looks as if the Lady Tigers might take at least a set from Riverside when the 1st set went 26-24 in favor of the Lady Rebels. The next two sets, however, had more uneven scoring with Encampment going 18-25 and 10-25 against Riverside.
Sent to the consolation bracket, the Lady Tigers faced off against the Burlington Lady Huskies who had been ranked No. 3 in the 1A Northwest. Burlington came into the tournament with a season record of 8-13-1 and were 3-4 in conference play. Encampment took the first two sets, 25-20 and 26-24, but were unable to keep that momentum going for the next three sets.
“Serving and serve receive were a struggle throughout the two matches and cost us critical points which had been strengths for the past several weeks of the regular season,” said Janice Peters, head coach of the Encampment Lady Tigers. “Players from the bench came into the game and served well for us, which was a great boost when we needed it.”
After being dealt two losses, the Lady Tigers were eliminated from the 1A West Regional Tournament. Riverside went onto take 4th place while Burlington took the 3rd place spot.
“Kristie (Jordan) led the team with digs and Sami (Anderson) and Eckerley (Pickett) served 96%,” said Peterson. “Kyenna (Jackson) led the team with nine solo blocks and five assist blocks.”
While the season came to an end in Riverton without a trip to the State Championship, Peterson is looking at the silver linings for her young team.
“For the 2024 season, all players will return other than the two exchange students from Spain and France,” said Peterson. “Individual players had great growth in some skill areas and players learned to work together more as the season went on. Overcoming mental mistakes plagues us during the season, but with maturity and one more year experience, the team should be very competitive in the 2024 season.
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