Beatty beats Beaver Dam; plays Sandy Valley in rematch

Beatty volleyball overcame a rocky start and beat Beaver Dam in four sets, 23-25, 25-17, 25-9 and 25-21.

The girls beat Beaver Dam at home and will play on Saturday, facing Sandy Valley at Pahranagat Valley High School at 1:45 p.m. in the semifinals of the Division IV Southern League.

Hornets coach Steve Sullivan said he had to get the girls back into the game mentally after dropping the first set.

"At the beginning of the game, I told them how they never lost a game because they weren't good enough," Sullivan said. "And the only reason they have ever lost is because we defeat ourselves mentally."

He said that the playoffs will go well for his team if they can stay focused.

"If we are willing to let go of the mistakes and keep our heads clear and our hearts in it, then this season will end when we want it to end," he said.

The coach said he wasn't really worried about losing the first set. He said during that first set the Diamondbacks just kept digging their shots.

"I wasn't worried because I knew if we kept attacking them, they would crack and then we could take a lead and ride that momentum," the coach said. "Also, I was still impressed with the girls because throughout the first set and right after I could see their hearts were still in it and their heads were clear. After the first set, the team came together and as a team the girls decided to take one set at a time."

He said before the third set they decided let's get one more, which they did.

The coach said this went on until set number 4.

"Then to end it, all they said was let's finish it," Sullivan said. "During that third win, it seemed at times we were losing focus on our goal because we would give up a few point runs to Beaver Dam, but the girls never seemed to lose their composure."

In the end, Sullivan was impressed with how the girls carried themselves.

If the girls beat Sandy Valley, then they will play in the championship game at 4 p.m., which will be the winner between Indian Springs and Alamo. All games that day will be at Pahranagat Valley High School.

Indian Springs advanced by beating Tonopah 25-20, 17-25, 25-11 and 25-22.

The last time the Hornets played Sandy Valley they lost in close sets, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-23.

Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @vernheepvt.