WHEATLAND –  Wheatland High School’s volleyball team faced a tough challenge this past week as they first had to face 4A Laramie who is ranked No. 4 in the state and then had to go against 3A Northeast conference leader Newcastle.

Although they bowed out in straight sets in Laramie, 25-16, 25-14 and 25-11, they rebounded well in the “pink-out” game held at Wheatland last Saturday afternoon and defeated the Newcastle Dogies 25-20, 20-25, 25-5 and 25-18.

The girls came out fast and furious and knew from the start that Newcastle was a strong team. They consistently looked to kill from the left side of their net and worked their two bigs into position to try to establish their dominance.

Wheatland’s defense was spot on and for the most part they were able to field the deep spikes. For as evenly matched the first two games were, the Bulldogs came out in the third with a no-nonsense focus that buried the Dogies 25-5. They held serve and not only played impressive offense with big hits by Annaliese Matthews, Desirae Iacovetto, Kendall Schaffner and Hadley Paisley, but were digging out killing spikes with great accuracy.

The fourth set was a nailbiter and although the Bulldogs had a four-point lead at 11-7, Newcastle clawed back and kept the score within a few points, tying the game up at 14-14 and again at 16-16. They knew a win could send it to a fifth set and a chance.

The Dawgs built a three-point lead at 20-17 and then outscored the Dogies 5-1 in the last six volleys to take the match and to keep their home unbeaten streak alive.

“This past week was a challenge for the Lady Bulldogs as they took on Laramie High School on Thursday night in an away match and then played Newcastle on Saturday at home,” head coach Sally Nichols said.  “The Laramie match proved to be a learning experience.  The Plainsmen showed that 4A volleyball is definitely fast-paced and full of talent, as the UW recruit setter Maddie Stuckey set nearly all her attempts from the air and froze the Bulldogs block.  The Laramie squad was full of young talent and will be very competitive in the future.  The Bulldogs played scrappy defense but fell in three sets to Laramie.  Both programs came together to celebrate the 50 years of Title IX and posed for a group picture.”

On Saturday the girls played in the pink-out and both teams were dressed in pink to show their solidarity.

“Saturday the WHS squad turned it around and overcame a valiant effort from the Newcastle Dogies,” Nichols said. “All three teams posted victories with the C-Team and JV squads winning in two sets.  The WHS gym was filled with fans and students to root our gals to a 3-1 victory.  The Bulldogs won with scores of 25-20, 20-25, 25-5, and 25-18.  The Bulldogs put on a blocking and defense clinic in the third set.  Anna Matthews (7 blocks/5 stops), Grace Battershell (7 blocks/4 stops), Lily Nichols (5 blocks/8 stops) and Des Iacovetto (3 blocks/3 blocks) are proving to be a force to reckon with up front.  While Kendall Schaffner notched 45 digs only playing 3 rotations in the back row.  Hadley Paisley added 11 digs and Alley Gunter had 7 digs.  WHS offense lit up the front line with Matthews tallying 17 kills while Schaffner, Paisley, and Iacovetto added 6 kills a piece.  Serving was also a highlight for our gals, Laynie Goertz had 3 Aces on 19 attempts, Camryn Mickelsen had 2 aces on 9 attempts, Schaffner added 2 aces on 26 attemps and Gunter had 1 ace on 20 attempts.” 

The Bulldogs have moved to 18-8 and have won all their home matches.  Next week WHS is headed to Douglas on Thursday and away again Friday at Torrington.