Lady Huskies go 1-2 at state volleyball tournament

Volleyball season has ended for the Burlington Lady Huskies, who competed in the state tournament this past weekend.
The Lady Huskies have had big goals all season long. “On our first day of practice, our team wrote down goals as individuals and goals for our team. As I reviewed them, two common ideas stood out- they wanted to create a positive and energetic atmosphere and make it to the state tournament,” said Coach Erin Bassett.
“We were an unlikely bunch, a coach with very little experience, a bunch of young and inexperienced girls and girls filling roles for the very first time. It was a little daunting but also exciting. I knew that despite our inexperience, we didn’t lack heart or grit. Our team grew with new additions, new assistant coaches and then changed and rearranged along the way. Every step of that way, our team worked hard to keep their energy positive and work together and it really paid off for them.”
First up was Southeast. “This was a team we hadn’t seen or had on our radar at all, so we just took it as it came,” said Bassett. “Just being in the Events Center and playing on the court for the first time is such a building experience, it was awesome for our team to get to do it so early in some of their careers.”
The Lady Huskies struggled to find their rhythm but were able to keep the games close before losing in three sets, 23-25, 18-25, 15-25.
Dropping down to the consolation bracket, they faced Guernsey-Sunrise, whom they beat in three games 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.
The win kept the Lady Huskies alive for one more day and they played Upton on Saturday morning.
“Not very many teams get to go to the state tournament and even fewer make it to the third round, so we were thrilled to still be in the bracket on the third day,” said Bassett. “Upton was our
toughest opponent yet. They have been ranked in the top three all year in the polls for good reason, they were a really good, solid team. They were tough but despite some moments of struggle, I was proud of our girls for digging in
and deciding to use every ball as an opportunity to build our team.”
Upton’s win was by scores of 25-18, 25-20, 25-15.
“I couldn’t be anything but proud of them for the season they had, the battles they fought, both mentally and physically and for the territory they covered. We will miss Selena next year, but we are excited for her to graduate and tackle new challenges and we will come back next year swinging.”