Finding ways to win at the end of closely contested matches are the kinds of things Idaho prep volleyball teams try to do at early-season tournaments. They strive to gain confidence and consistency.
That's certainly what the Wood River High School Wolverines coached by Tim Richards tried to accomplish Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5 during the 20-team Peg Peterson Invitational in Pocatello.
"We want to play the better teams and get a look at different ways of doing things to gain confidence," Richards said. "We want to find out how we deal with success, and find out what we take away when things don't go as well for us."
The Wolverines encountered adversity and success in winning four of their seven matches at Highland High School. And no team won more than unbeaten Century High School (15-0), which rolled to the championship with a resounding 21-7, 21-8 triumph over Rigby in the finale.
Wood River, pooled with Century in a five-team group, dropped its opening match Friday to Century 21-12, 21-9 but regrouped with a come-from-behind 13-21, 21-16, 16-14 victory over Cokeville, Wyo.
Richards said the Hailey girls played some great defense in another come-from-behind win, this time 17-21, 21-16, 17-15 over Skyview (Utah). And Wood River finished second in its pool behind Century Friday with a 22-20, 19-21, 15-13 success over Madison of Rexburg.
Getting a bye in Saturday's tournament, Wood River dropped its first match 21-17, 21-16 to perennial volleyball power Bear Lake of Montpelier. The Wolverines regrouped in the loser bracket with a 21-11, 21-8 win over Pocatello before losing their finale 21-12, 21-19 to Blackfoot.
Leading the Wolverines in digs at the Peg Peterson were junior libero Allie Hesteness and senior co-captain Monica Garceau. Kills leaders were senior outside hitter Grace Lagodich and senior co-captain Ellen Johnson. Top WRHS server for the tournament was junior Jessica Hamilton.
Three-time defending champion Wood River (6-5) opens its Great Basin Conference schedule Thursday, Sept. 10 with home matches against the Minico Spartans at the Hailey gym. Freshmen action begins at 4:30 p.m. with the varsity about 7 p.m.
Wood River's annual junior varsity tournament for 10 teams (pool play followed by single elimination meet) is Saturday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the high school gym.
