Beatty volleyball squeaked by in a tough game with Indian Springs and will be advancing to the playoffs as the third seed team.
The Hornets (11-5 overall, 5-3 Division IV Southern) beat the Thunderbirds 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, and 25-23.
As the scores reflect, Indian Springs was not an easy team to beat.
“Indian Springs was a tough match, more so than I thought it would be because we weren’t on our game,” Hornets coach Sullivan said. “I went to our bench early in the match because a few of the starters were making errors and mentally taking themselves out. I really wasn’t sure how many sets we were going to allow it to go because the scores of every set were very close.”
So close that Beatty lost the second set to the Thunderbirds (7-6, 5-3).
Sullivan said his team would get a good lead and then let the other team come back.
“In our final set we had a pretty good lead and then it seemed we sat around 21-22 points letting Indian Springs catch up,” the coach said. “We finally got to 24 with them right behind us and were struggling to get that last point.”
Sullivan said the final point seemed like it would never come.
“We were out of position defensively and when it came our way we struggled to control it,” Sullivan said.
The coach praised his second string for keep the team together.
“I was real impressed with my second string because they never seem to shut down mentally,” he said. “They do get in ruts and have to take a breather but then they collect themselves and go right back in. I really need my starters to do that.”
The Hornets will play Beaver Dam (6-6, 3-5) at home at 5 p.m. and then if they win they will play Sandy Valley (17-2, 7-1) at Pahranagat Valley on Nov. 7 at 1:45.
Sullivan said it was all about maintaining composure if they want another shot at Sandy Valley.
“Our primary concern this week is going to be how we handle ourselves mentally and emotionally because in playoffs a lot can happen,” the coach said. “The top teams are in the playoffs so it is very competitive and each game only gets tougher and tougher. The girls don’t tend to express too much emotion but I know they are dying for a rematch with Sandy Valley.”
-Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com