Serving runs propel eighth graders to win over Shoshoni

Greybull Middle School’s A, B and C volleyball teams hosted matches Monday, Sept. 9 against Shoshoni.
The eighth grade or A team notched the program’s only win, coming by scores of 25-17, 25-20, 15-13.  Coach Sean Patrick said his team trailed in the first set 8-3 and 15-9 before it went on a pair of six-point scoring runs fueled by the serving of Kaylee Cervantes and Joey Boyer.
Patrick said the second set was every bit as hard fought, with neither team being able to establish the upper hand.  But the young Buffs pulled it out, locking up the match win before playing a third set to give players additional time on the court.
Patrick spotlighted the contributions of Boyer, Lilliann Otto, and Reagan Vigil, who “had great attitudes, played hard, and were coachable on the spot.
“If this whole group of girls can continue to grow with each other, there isn’t much that will stop them. It was a good matchup against Shoshoni, and I look forward to seeing them in tournament.”
Seventh grade
The seventh-grade team fell in three, losing 15-25, 24-26, 11-15, and “would admit it wasn’t our best game,” according to Coach Chelsea Craw.  “We struggled to keep the serve on our side in the first set, losing 15-25.
“However, in the second set Julie Garcia served us a run of eight points, putting us ahead at one time. That one ended in a loss also, but much closer at 24-26. In the last set Shoshoni got their 15 points when we had only 11.”
While acknowledging that it was a disappointing outing, Craw reframed it as “an opportunity to recognize what areas we can strengthen in practice.”
Sixth grade
Coach Jamie Keisel described her sixth-grade team’s 27-26, 25-27, 9-15 loss to the Lady Blue as “a hard-fought game” that didn’t go its way.
 “We are still working hard on having consistent serves and still struggling a little bit with serve receive,” she said. “Overall, they are a hard-working group of girls that enjoy playing together. 
“I told them after the game that we have a few things to keep working on, but I was very proud of them for all the great work we did at the net and our passing had improved.  Shoshoni had a few really good servers and we need to get better at reading where the serves are going to and hustling to get there.”