The Gunnison Valley girls’ volleyball team won a pair of tightly contested matches last week to improve their record to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
The Lady Bulldogs traveled to North Summit on Sept. 21 to take on the reigning 2A state volleyball champions. It was a much-anticipated game, and the Lady Bulldogs did not disappoint.
The first set was clearly dominated by Gunnison, and they won 25-17. In set two, North Summit put up a bit more of a fight, but Gunnison edged them out and won 25-21. Set three was the most hard-fought set yet, as the Lady Braves came back with a vengeance. Although both teams were determined, the Lady Bulldogs fell to the Lady Braves in overtime 27-25.
Despite losing set three, Gunnison worked hard and defeated North Summit in the fourth set, for a match win 25-16.
This was the Lady Bulldogs’ best performance all year, as they racked up some incredible stats. Senior outside hitter, Kennedi Knudsen led the team with a career high 35 kills and hit .329. Junior Jakelle Sorenson and senior Raven Pickett tied with four aces each, both leading the team to victory from the service line. Jakelle Sorenson also led the team in digs with 14, averaging 3.5 digs per set. Raven Pickett and Kennedi Knudsen were right behind her with 12 digs each. Senior setter Aubryann “Bob” Burrell had an incredible 43 assists and averaged 10.8 assists per set.
On Thursday, Sept. 23 on their home court, Gunnison took on Millard, who placed second at 2A state last year. The energy from the crowd and the players on both sides was running high. The first set was back and forth, with both the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Eagles alternating the lead. The hard work from both teams ran the set into overtime, and Gunnison took the first set 27-25. The second set was fought almost just as hard with the Lady Bulldogs defeating the Lady Eagles 25-23. Running on the high from the first two sets, Gunnison let their energy lead them to winning the third and final set 25-16.
Leading the Lady Bulldogs in kills was Kennedi Knudsen with 31. Senior Chelsi Helms led the team in hitting percentage with .400. Knudsen also led the team in aces with three. Aubryann Burrell and Chelsi Helms led the team in serving percentage and 100 percent accuracy the entire night with zero errors. Jakelle Sorenson led the team in blocks with two. Sorenson and Raven Pickett also led the team in digs with a combined 29 of the team’s 61. Burrell also had an incredible performance with 32 assists.
The team’s next home match is Oct. 7 against the North Summit Braves.
