Following a tough four set loss against Evanston to open last week’s 4A West Regional Tournament, Green River High School coach Rikki Shantz told her team to stay strong.
The message appeared to get to the squad as they battled back with two consecutive victories and qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2009. They were also able to accomplish the feat in their home gym.
“I still felt like we we’re peaking at the right time and I’ve been saying that the past two weeks,” Shantz said. “I told them not to lose determination and they didn’t.”
Following the loss to the Red Devils (24-26, 23-25, 25-23, 16-25), Green River responded with a thrilling five-set victory over rival Rock Springs (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 15-7).
Shantz said the loser-out game against the Lady Tigers was scary.
“I wish it was a little more dominating. They had Jenna (Harris) back and that gave them a boost, but we fought hard and that’s all you can ask for.”
In their third game Friday, another loser-out game, Green River was able to avenge the earlier loss to Evanston, and defeated the Lady Red Devils in four sets, (25-22, 25-17, 17-25, 25-21).
“That was one of the best games we’ve played all year. We were cramping up and it was our third game of the day, but they still played determined,” Shantz said.
After the marathon day Friday, Green River faced the daunting task of opening Saturday play in the regional semifinals against Casper-Natrona, the number one ranked team in the state.
After dropping the first two sets, 22-25 and 25-17, the Lady Wolves once again showed their grit by taking the third set in thrilling fashion, 26-24.
Natrona stormed back to win the match by taking the fourth set, 25-16.
The Wolves finished the tournament in fourth place after dropping their final match to Riverton, 14-25, 18-25, 16-25).
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