by 
Copper Basin News
The seventh and eighth grade Jr. Lady Cats volleyball teams traveled to San Carlos last Wednesday to face the Braves. The seventh grade lost, 2 – 1, while the eighth grade team won, 2 – 0.
The seventh grade Lady Cats lost 2 – 1 (12-25, 25-18, 10-15) versus the Braves. In the first game, Julia Lorona and Emma Cude were the top servers but, unfortunately, the Lady Cats were left searching for answer to break the serve of the Braves. Head coach Stacy Johnson rotated players throughout the game looking to find a player who “could help us break the Braves serve,” but it was to no avail.
In game two, the Lady Cats played as a cohesive unit and it showed in the 25 – 18 victory.
Game three was similar the game one with the Lady Cats trying find a way to break the Braves’ serve.
“Most of my young players continued to look at me instead of watching the other team serve the ball,” Johnson said afterwards.
The eighth grade swept the Braves, 2 – 0 (25-10, 25-19). Daniella Hinojos started game one with “10 strong overhand serves” earning the Lady Cats nine points. Augie-Lou Hing, Amee Kenyon, and Julia Meza played well throughout and helped the team with good effort and strong passing skills.
Hinojos continued to dominate at the service line in game two and Meza picked up where Daniella left off. The Lady Cats finished off a Braves team that appeared to be looking for answers.
“I believe we left (them) stunned,” Johnson said after the match.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by