Yuma High School’s volleyball team has some work to do, but at least the Outlaws feel a little better.
They snapped a five-match losing streak with an exciting win at Akron last Friday in the Lower Platte opener. They now are 1-0 in league play, 2-5 overall, as they prepare to play their second home match of the season Friday against Class 3A Forge Christian.
The Fury enter this week 7-2 and No. 4 in the 3A CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index.
Yuma turns around and travels to Sterling on Saturday morning. The Tigers entered this week 4-3 and No. 15 in the 3A Index.
A win, or two, would really boost the Outlaws, who entered this week well out of the top 36 in the 2A Index.
“We are very happy to finally be back home on Friday,” coach Jamie Nighswonger said. “Forge Christian will be a really big game, as will Sterling on Saturday.”
The Outlaws traveled west last Friday to take on the Rams of in the league opener. It was a battle from start to finish, but Yuma prevailed in five sets.
The teams alternated winning the first four sets. Akron took the first one 25-22, Yuma the second 25-20, Akron the third 25-18, and Yuma the fourth 25-17. The Outlaws then broke the trend in the deciding set, winning 15-8.
“That was a huge win,” Nighswonger said. “I’m especially proud of the girls for not giving up and for battling back to win in five sets. We are hoping that that helps us pick up some momentum going into the games this week.”
Yuma’s serving was fairly strong at 93.3 percent. Bailey Nighswonger was 25-26 with four aces, Berkley Nighswonger 18-18 with two aces, Lauren Gonzales 14-15 with two aces, Taryn Sheffield 15-17 with one ace, Lindsey Hermosillo 14-16 with one ace, and Aubrey Black 12-13 with one ace.
Gonzales led a 56-kill attack with 15 kills, Sheffield had 13, Berkley Nighswonger nine, Hermosillo seven, Novalee Schuetz six, and Bailey Nighswonger six. Bailey Nighswonger recorded 24 setting assists, Blach 21, Berkley Nighswonger three, and Schuetz two.