Rebels go 4-0 at Western Wyo. Challenge

The Riverside Lady Rebels won four of their five matches last week, rebounding from a four-set loss to Burlington Tuesday to post a perfect 4-0 record at the Western Wyoming Volleyball Challenge hosted by Thermopolis and Greybull.

As they typically are, the matchup between Riverside and Burlington was a spirited affair. The Rebels started fast, winning the first set 25-18. But it was downhill after that, as the Huskies won the next three  by scores of 25-17, 28-26, 25-17.

While no stats were available, Coach Cindi Smith liked the way her team responded at the Challenge.  The Rebels notched easy wins over 1A foes Encampment, 25-9, 25-23, and Farson-Eden, 25-20, 25-14.

They also knocked out a couple of bigger schools, downing 3A Thermopolis, 25-22, 25-18, and 2A Rocky Mountain, 25-10, 25-24.

“We all came together as a team and stuck together even when the games were close,” said Brooklynn Paxton.

As a team, the Rebels were good on 86.2% of their serves across the four matches, with Paxton at 92.3% and Vinaya Vanderploeg at 91.3%.  The team was credited with 38 aces, including 11 from VanderPloeg and 10 from Paxton.

Paxton and VanderPloeg finished one-two in digs and kills. Paxton led in both with 42 digs and 38 kills; VanderPloeg followed in both categories with 26 digs and 36 kills. 

Kennedy Bassett was again the top distributor, with 77 assists in the four contests.

Leading the defense were Johnna Clifford with five blocks (three assisted, two solo) and Bassett with four blocks (three assisted, one solo).

Smith said her team is “continuing to show growth on and off the court as a team,” adding, “We will work on maintaining our level of play throughout the match. It is important for us to continue to eliminate unforced errors, so we aren’t giving easy points to our opponents.”

The Rebels get into the heart of the conference season later this week, hosting a match with St. Stephens Friday at 6 p.m. before traveling to Meeteetse Saturday for matches at noon and 1 p.m.

Tuesday will bring the annual Pink Match with Greybull.  Matches are at 5 and 6 p.m. in the RHS Gym.

Good Sport

Johnna Clifford was presented the WHSAA Good Sportsmanship Award for her exemplary conduct and good sportsmanship during the volleyball contest versus Lingle.  

“We are proud of Johnna,” said Smith.  “She does an exceptional job representing the Lady Rebel volleyball program and Riverside High School.”