6 and 0! GHS netters rule conference

Greybull Buffs volleyball won their conference 6-0 in a nail-biter against Shoshoni Friday night, capping the regular season with a 25-15, 26-24, 28-26 victory in Buff Gym. 

“I am thrilled that our team gutted it out,” Coach Sara Schlattmann said. “Shoshoni was very scrappy. They really hustled.”

Three senior players were honored at their last home game: Camila Acuna, Sherlyn Diaz-Rios and Shayne Cheatham. 

“They have given a lot to this program and I appreciate their dedication,” Schlattmann said. 

The Buffs really shined on offense against Shoshoni, with setter Wyatt Whaley racking up another 43 assists. The junior is currently ranked No. 3 in 2A. 

“She did a great job of spreading it out to all the hitters,” Schlattmann reported. Ellie Holloway and Marlee Henson each notched 13 kills, Perla Rodriguez 12, Camila Acuna 7 and Caitlyn Hunt 3. Middle hitter Henson leads in stats at the net for the Buffs, ranked first-in-class with 68 total blocks and second-in-class on hitting percentage. Rodriguez is ranked seventh-in-class for kills. 

On defense, libero Cheatham led with 16 digs, followed by Holloway with 13 and Rodriguez with 11. The main struggle for the Buffs against Shoshoni was serving, which Schlattmann noted may have been the lowest efficiency of the season at 80%. Cheatham and Fallon Hoffman both performed at 100%, however. 

“Winning the conference was one of our goals, but ultimately we want to perform at our best at the regional and state tournament,” Schlattmann said. “We have set ourselves up the best we can by winning the conference.”

In the week before regionals, the team will focus on serving, passing and speeding up their offense. 

The Buffs will face No. 4 in the Southwest, Wind River, at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Lander High School Fieldhouse to kick off the tournament. 

As far as competition goes, No. 1 in the Southwest, Big Piney, also went 6-0 in their conference play, though Greybull has already downed the other top teams in the bracket, otherwise from the Northwest. 

“Everything starts over at regionals, and we will have to maintain our focus and intensity…,” Schlattmann said. “We are very grateful for the community support we have had all season.  It sure has been fun to have a great home crowd.”