Lady Cats win on the road

Lady Bobcat Volleyball has had a busy couple of weeks, playing last Friday in Wheatland, turning around and playing Saturday in Torrington, then hitting the nets again on Tuesday night against Worland.

The games in Wheatland on the 7th were exciting to say the least.

The Lady Cats split the first four games with Wheatland before coming out on top in the fifth game, 15-12.

"Our serve/receive was on point for this match, which helped our offense," coach Shannon Hill said. "I was very proud of my girls for finishing, especially a five game match that was close in the end. They showed their grit and finished strong."

Lizzy Lofink racked up 16 kills and three aces while Maggie Ryan had three aces and 23 digs. Makayla George had a good game, too, with 11 kills and two blocks. Mary Ryan went in for 12 kills and one block with Haley McDermott putting up 32 set assists.

The heat continued on Saturday with a decisive win over Torrington, 3-1.

"Again, very proud of my girls for finishing these close games," Hill said. "Despite our large number of unforced errors, we pulled through and made some great plays to finish this match.

"Serve/receive from Maggie (Ryan), Lizzy (Lofink), Chloe (Crosby) and Shaynie (Bauer) was a strong point again for our team, as was Makayla's (George) blocking and Lizzy's serving."

Lofink had eight kills and six aces against the Trailblazers. Maggie Ryan pulled 12 digs, George had 11 kills and six blocks, and Mary Ryan smacked in seven kills.

"Our girls definitely needed these wins coming off of the weekend," Hill said. "I am very proud of our girls for proving to themselves that they can compete in 3A and compete well. I have always known that the talent is there, it's having the right mentality that brings all the talent together."

On Tuesday, the gym was filled with pink as the Pink Out games, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month were held against Worland.

"Our girls came out way more confident than they had the first time we played Worland," coach Hill said. "The fact that we showed improvement not only from the last time we played them, but also throughout the match says a lot about our girls."

Unfortunately, the Lady Cats didn't have quite enough to come out on top, being bested by the Lady Warriors, 25-12, 25-15 and 25-18.

"We struggled last time with hitting against Worland's big blockers," Hill said, "but this time the girls were more prepared and started to hit around the blocks and hit spots on Worland's defense, which at times threw off their tough offense."

The girls were back and forth in the first two games until the score got to point 10 or 12 and then the Cats let the Lady Warriors run the game.

"My proudest moment of the match was in game three when we were down 17-6, and after a time out, the girls stepped back on the court with a different mentality," Hill said. "They proved their grit and went on a run. In the end we didn't end up winning, but we scored 12 points to Worland's eight points.

"The girls could have easily gave up, being down 11 points, but they stepped up and again proved to themselves and all the spectators that they indeed can play with the best.

"I was so proud of my girls Tuesday night, and know that if we continue improving like this, we will be successful at regionals."

On Tuesday night, Lofink pulled seven kills and one ace. Maggie Ryan dropped for 15 digs. George had seven kills as well and one block with Mary Ryan having seven kills, too. Kelly Johnson put away five kills and McDermott had 25 set assists.

The Lady Cats will take on Rawlins on the road on Saturday.