Thunder spikers sweep Canyon View in final tuneup for region play

Written by Darren Cole
September 8, 2016
Canyon View's Sydnee Hansen (1), Desert Hills vs. Canyon View, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Desert Hills volleyball team swept Canyon View in its final tuneup for region play 25-19, 25-11, 25-15 Thursday nigh at DHHS.

desert-hills-logocanyon-view-logoThe Lady Falcons started the season with three wins before dropping nine in a row, including the last three to Region 9 teams.

“We don’t focus too much on the other side of the net,” said Thunder head coach Jill Swaney. “We want to improve with what we do, get better with each match, and continually gel as a team.”

Desert Hills' Saselah Goulding (4), Desert Hills vs. Canyon View, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Desert Hills’ Saselah Goulding (4), Desert Hills vs. Canyon View, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

With each set, the Lady Thunder were able to generate long stretches of momentum due to their serves. Desert Hills had only seven service errors in 79 attempts. Conversely, DH dished out 13 aces.

“We have been focusing our training on service the past week,” said middle blocker Maddie Clark. “Tonight it paid off.”

“The girls have been placing the ball well on serve,” said Swaney. “Usually when that happens we score the point.”

In each set, it was a different Thunder player that dominated service. Jessica Harris led service in the first set. In the second set, Charity Bradley and Harris both had extended service runs and in the final set, Clark led in service attempts.

It appeared the Lady Falcons would go down quickly in the first set with the Thunder looking at match point at 24-14. But Canyon View reeled off five straight before ceding the final point.

In the second set, the Lady Falcons led 3-0 early. But Desert Hills responded with an 11-2 run to lead 11-5. After a Falcon side out, the Lady Thunder responded with a 12-1 run behind the serves of Bradley and Harris for a 23-9 advantage. Four points later, setter Hailee Harmer set Bradley up for the kill and set point.

As a newcomer to Desert Hills this year, Bradley has comfortably settled into her role.

Desert Hills' Charity Bradley (12), Desert Hills vs. Canyon View, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Desert Hills’ Charity Bradley (12), Desert Hills vs. Canyon View, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

“I have a good playing rapport with our setters,” said Bradley. “They know where I like the ball and the more we play together, the more in sync we have become.”

In the third set, the Falcons again started strong taking a 7-6 lead. The Thunder then went on a 7-2 run to take control of the set. When the score reached 16-12, Clark served seven consecutive times. Managing a side out on the last one, the Lady Falcons still trailed 22-13. The match would end shortly after on a kill by Rachel Winters.

Individually, Winters and Bradley led Desert Hills with 14 kills apiece. Harmer led the team with 31 assists. Bradley and Winters also led the team in digs with 13 and 10, respectively. Harris led the team with an amazing five service aces. Clark led the team with three blocks.

The Lady Thunder move to 7-2 on the season and will now open region play against Dixie on Thursday night. Canyon View falls to 3-9. The Falcons begin play in their region (12) against Carbon on Thursday night.

Wednesday night’s game
Bishop Gorman 3, Snow Canyon 0

The Lady Warriors traveled to Las Vegas to take on Nevada’s eighth-ranked team, Bishop Gorman. The Lady Gaels beat Snow Canyon in straight sets 25-6, 25-12, 25-14.

With the win, Bishop Gorman improved to 7-3. Snow Canyon fell to 2-8 and will open region play with an away game at Cedar on Thursday night.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darren Cole recently returned to sportswriting after a 20-plus year hiatus. While pursuing other studies, he developed an early passion for sports writing as a senior writer and sports editor for the Ricks College Scroll in 1988-89. Darren has spent the last 20 years writing legal memorandi and appellate briefs. In addition to his legal career, he has also taught legal and criminal justice courses at the university level for nine years as an adjunct professor. Darren is married to wife Lisa, has two sons and is a confessed sports junkie.

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