After two losses last weekend against Lehi and Pleasant Grove, the Lone Peak Knights brushed off the losses as they played at the familiar rival school American Fork High Tuesday night, leading to a three-set win (20-25, 15-25, 24-26) over the Lady Cavemen.
Lone Peak head coach Deanna Meyer was especially satisfied with the team effort throughout the game.
“We pulled together like we needed to,” Meyer said. “Especially after our losses last week to show there is still a little bit of fight in the Knights."
American Fork appeared strong to begin the first set as junior Alesa Pettit took away the 5-5 tie with a block assist followed by a kill in the next play. However, American Fork lost the lead as the Knights offense improved. Lone Peak’s outside hitters Brynne Sorrell and Mckenzie “Kizzy” Willey consistently found holes in American Fork’s offense to score into, leading to Lone Peak's 20-25 victory in the first set.
“I had so much faith in us that we would get over the troubles we had last weekend,” Sorrell said.
Not only was Lone Peak able to get over its troubles from last week, but it found a way to overcome its troubles after losing Willey to an injury late in the second set. Despite the loss of Willey, the Knights never gave up their second-set lead after their first kill.
“We kind of had to make some adjustments,” Meyer said. “I thought they did a good job at handling those adjustments and playing a pretty good game.”
The adjustment Meyer referred to was Brookelyn Langhaim making up for the loss of Willey. Langhaim scored the first point of the third set and helped the Knights equalize to a 10-10 tie with a kill later in the set.
Although Lone Peak claimed two set wins and had a strong offense during the third, American Fork showed its biggest fight during the third set even though it ended in a loss.
“We just need to execute and get on a run of points,” American Fork head coach Stephanie Hodgman said in response to the third set. “Get that string of a couple good serves, then it will take us farther than just going back and forth.”
American Fork’s Pettit showed off her defense with two solo blocks and a block assist while middle-blocker Sierra Sanders had a pair of kills. Her second tied the game at 24-24, forcing Lone Peak to take a timeout.
Lone Peak’s offense consistently kept the score close during the third set with players like Sorrell and Langhaim, and the Knights won the game 3-0 after the 26-24 win in the third set.
“I think that we have confidence now,” Sorrell said. “We have the toughest region in the state I believe. This win is only going to make us work harder and give us confidence.”
Kevin Olsen writes for the sports column at Utah Valley University and can be reached at (801) 471-8895 or kvncups12@gmail.com