Volleyball ends regular season on the road

 

 

The Hill City Rangers girls volleyball team played well on a road trip to Alliance, Neb. The team defeated Alliance by a score of 2-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-21).

 

The Rangers also beat Chadron, Neb., but fell to Belleview (Neb.) Christian. Head coach Allie Henderson was pleased with the team’s play.

 

“We beat some really tough teams and it was honestly just fun volleyball to watch. Even though close games can be nerve wracking, it’s great for competition and those long volleys build physical and mental strength,” she said.

 

The girls stay on the road and travel to Belle Fourche this week. 

 

“Confidence is going to play a major role in the game against Belle Fourche,” Henderson said. “I believe we are fairly evenly matched in skill so every point is going to matter. We have to limit our unforced errors and free balls, and make sure we know who is hitting on their side and where to cover the floor accordingly.”

 

Belle Fourche is 28-6 on the season and has won its last five matches.

 

Volleyball regions begin in November. Henderson thinks  the girls are playing strong as they near the postseason. 

 

“I think the girls are mentally and physically at the top of their game right now,” she said. “We came off a few losses and turned it around into some big consecutive wins. Our valley is leading us up to a really big peak.”

 

Henderson described the girls’ strength as being an all-around team. 

 

“That has been the downfall of some of the other teams we played: big hitters but no defense and vice versa,” she said. “We have big hitters, scrappy defenders and intelligent setters.”

 

But lack of consistency can be the Ranger’s downfall.  

 

“We are packed full of skill but we still need to work on honing in on a full game instead of only doing as much as we need to in order to get the win,” Henderson said. “I have full confidence in the girls to finish out the season. We improve every day and I’m very proud of them for all the work they have been putting in to get us where we are now.”