by 
Copper Basin News
The Jr. Lady Cats’ volleyball teams split against visiting Globe last Wednesday with the seventh-grade team surprising the Lady Tigers, 3 – 0 (26-24, 25-11, 16-14).
The seventh-graders are now 6 – 1 so far this season.
“I think these eight girls stunned the Globe Tigers when they won the battle in game one,” head coach Stacy Johnson said in an email to the Copper Basin News. “These ladies are playing as a team and communicating loud and proud basically on their own. That rocks, Peaches!”
Marissa Barragan and Emma Stuart each had two aces in game one. Indigo Patterson, Kacy Molar, Chasity Kelley, and Chelsea Flores also starred from the service line.
Molar had two aces in game two, where the Jr. Lady Cats did not miss from the service line.
“We only had two bad serves in this game and that rarely happens,” Johnson said.
The eighth-grade team lost to the Lady Tigers, 2 – 1 (18-25, 25-20, 8-15).
In game one, the Jr. Lady Cats were strong from the service line, but it wasn’t enough to pull out a win. Emma Cude had two digs with Danielle Barajas and Julianna Hong finishing with one each.
“We just had trouble not hesitating in this game,” Johnson said about the game-one loss.
In game two, the Jr. Lady Cats continued being hesitant, according to Johnson, but pulled out the win anyway. Acacia Baldenegro has several nice assists while Shelby Yocum and Hong made effective passes.
In the deciding game three, the Jr. Lady Cats couldn’t handle the Tigers overhand serve, resulting in the match loss. Lack of communication also contributed to the defeat.
“These girls need to learn to play as a team and actually communicate on the court,” Johnson said. “(They need) their teammates to hear them and know what they should do next.”
The eight-graders are now 5 – 2 after last Wednesday’s loss.
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.
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