Beatty volleyball had no problems beating Round Mountain in three sets for homecoming last week, 25-23, 25-11 and 25-10. They also came down to Pahrump and beat the junior varsity team in three sets on Tuesday, 25-18, 25-13 and 25-23.
The Hornets will travel to Tonopah for a battle which could be for a second-place seed in the playoffs. The girls still have to play Pahranagat Valley (15-5, 4-0), but currently are in first place.
Hornets coach Steve Sullivan said he had to get his girls going and keep them focused on beating the Knights (3-11 overall, 0-4 Class 1A Southern).
“In the first set, it appeared that the girls felt they could coast through that night,” Sullivan said. “After nearly giving up that first set, they bounced back mentally.”
Sullivan won’t have to do that this week because the Hornets travel to face rival Tonopah this Friday. His girls know what’s at stake.
“One of the concerns we addressed in practice this week is closing out sets,” he said. “During both sets two and three last week, we needed only a few more points while Round Mountain was around six or seven points. In the end of those sets we were outscored, which may not seem like a big deal.”
Sullivan told his girls it was a big deal if the game is close and he told them they can’t give away points like that in the end.
“Heading toward the end of the season we have to focus on competing and battling through all 25 points,” Sullivan said.
The Hornets will face a hot team in Tonopah today.
The Lady Muckers volleyball team has won its last three games.
Tonopah (11-12, 4-1) is tuning up for the playoffs and is in third place, looking to ruin Beatty’s perfect league record.
“The level of play continues to improve as the bench becomes more experienced and can challenge and relieve more skilled players,” Muckers coach Melissa Jennings said. “I would like to see the girls play consistently throughout each match but I am not disappointed in them. In fact, they continue to surprise me. It is my hope that we finish our season seeded number two, and challenge Pahranagat Valley for the division championship.”
The Muckers played Round Mountain (3-11, 0-4) last Tuesday, Word of Life (varsity only) on Friday, and Oasis Academy in Fallon on Saturday and won all three matches.
The varsity won in four sets against the Knights: 25-16, 25-17, 10-25, and 25-10.
Tonopah then defeated Word of Life (4-9, 2-3) 25-6, 25-23 and 25-13.
Against Oasis Academy, the Muckers won in three sets, 25-15, 25-12 and 25-7.
Hornets stats against Round Mountain: Lexi Gil 21 assists, three aces; Claudia Granados nine kills, three aces; Vanessa Gamboa one kill, one ace; Anel Gamboa seven kills; Karina Villanueva two kills, one block; Ari Oseguera one kill, one ace.
Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com