Eureka Lions on the prowl
Looking at the match-ups of the Western B divisional volleyballtournament, one team looms like impending doom on the bracket leading many to think other teams are simply playing for second place. Loyola Sacred Heart, out of Missoula, has used a punishing net attack to roll over the competition this season well, almost.
Although the Breakers have dominated the opposition in 2005, their record is a not-quite-unblemished 19-1. And despite boasting three potential NCAA Division I players in 6-foot-2 middle hitter Amy DeGroot, 6-1 outside hitter Sammy Priddy and 6-1 setter Bethany Mansch, Eureka coach Rhonda Hammond cant wait to face them.
You might think shes crazy, but Hammond has two big reasons to anticipate a match-up with the Breakers.
One, since the Lions are on the other side of the bracket, if they faced Loyola it would mean they had already clinched a berth in the state tournament. And two, the Breakers lone loss on the season came at the hands of Hammonds Eureka squad.
On Wednesday, Hammond showed the girls the formula for beating the Breakers, a video from their September clash as part of the 13-team Showcase in Florence.
We kept serving right at them and it frustrated them, said Hammond, whose team is vying for its second state tourney berth in three seasons. And if you frustrate them, theyll fall apart. We were also so positive during the match.
No matter what they did, we bounced back from it.
Even though Loyola was obviously out for blood in a rematch the following weekend, it took four hard-fought games to bring down the Lions. And Eureka has some firepower of its own.
Leading the way for the Lions is a pair of returning All-State players in 5-10 junior outside hitter Amy Roberts and senior setter Ali Zauner. Both helped Eureka win its third straight 8-B title last weekend, as the team went a perfect 10-0 in conference and enters the postseason 18-1 overall.
Ali is one of the best setters Ive ever had and she does so much more, Hammond said. Shes only 5-7 but she even blocks well.
And Amy is one of those kids that comes along once in a lifetime. She jumps so high and hits like a hammer. Several D-I schools are already looking at her.
The team also has a weapon to combat Loyolas height at the net, as Hammond moved 6-1 senior Sarah Flanary from the outside to the middle last week to utilize her block. The team will also count on senior Whitney Benedict and junior April Paden to keep the ball off the floor along the back row.
Hammond hopes her team can shake off the jitters that were obvious in last weekends district tournament.
I told the girls that there was bad news and good news after the tournament, Hammond said. The bad news was that we struggled. The good news was that we struggled and won.
But beyond making it to state, Hammond also thinks her team has a shot at the schools first-ever state title.
If we play the way were capable of playing, its definitely an attainable goal, she said.
The Lions open the tournament, hosted by Loyola, today at 10 a.m. against Darby (9-11). If they win, they will face the winner of the noon match-up between Troy (11-10) and Superior (12-9) at 6 p.m. Loyola plays its first-round match at 2 p.m. against Plains (9-10), followed by Florence (6-14) against Thompson Falls (15-5); the winners will then square off at 8 p.m.