Soroco volleyball falls to Grand Valley in Friday night thriller
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
There may never be a more intense fourth set than the one between Soroco and Grand Valley volleyball on Friday, Sept. 9.
With the Rams down a set, the team was desperate for a rally to force a deciding fifth set.
The back-and-forth affair was evened six times with ties at 15, 16, 20, 24, 25 and 26 points.
Each side was running out of steam but fought hard to the end with each point celebration louder and more exciting than the one before. The Soroco fan base came out strong and kept the stands rocking all night long.
Tied at 26, the visiting Cardinals won consecutive points to take the match 3-1.
Despite the loss, head coach Sarah Pierce has seen steady improvement from her team and is excited to see it continue.
“They’re stepping it up,” Pierce said. “They’re so young they are just learning how to fight when they need to, but sometimes they slack off when they don’t. That confidence is going to really help them.”
The girls got off to an impressive start, coming from behind in the first set to take the early 1-0 advantage.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Grand Valley won the second set 25-16 and followed that with another set victory with a late comeback in the third.
While Pierce sees a promising future for her girls, she really wants them to keep the adrenaline high for the duration of a match instead of only pumping it up in crunch time.
“That last game, the fight at the end, I just want it from the start,” Pierce said. “I see good things coming from them even though we lost. They’re in there; they just can’t quite break the barrier.”
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Freshman Kolbie Pierce hits the ball over the net and gets it down for a Rams point at a Soroco volleyball game against Grand Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
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Junior Daisy Hoff serves during the second set of a Soroco volleyball match against Grand Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
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Junior Anna Rushton dives for the ball in a Soroco volleyball game against Grand Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
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Senior Shelby Geiger receives a serve in the first set of a Soroco volleyball match against Grand Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
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Junior Anna Rushton passes from the back row in a Soroco volleyball game against Grand Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Matches like this have been the story of the Rams’ season so far, losing four matches while taking two into a fourth set and one into a fifth.
Moments after the game, Pierce had already decided what she wanted the girls to work on for this weekend’s tournament.
“We need to execute on the net,” Pierce said. “We’re doing good rallies but when it comes to putting the ball down, we’re not executing points. Once they get that piece down, they’re gonna be really good. They’re a good team, I’m proud of them.”
Grand Valley 3, Soroco 1
GV 19 25 25 27 – 3
SO 25 16 21 26 – 1
To reach Tom Skulski, call 970-871-4240, email tskulski@SteamboatPilot.com.
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