Lady Vandals Begin Season at Yerington Invitational

Eureka competed in the Yerington Invitational to start the season Aug.24-25 and did rather well for themselves.

On Friday, the girls lost two and won one match. First was a loss to host Yerington 25-12, 25-17, followed by a 2-1 win over Whittell, then a loss to Bishop Union of Bishop, California by scores of 25-7, 25-16.

But Saturday was a different day and the Vandals won all their games in winning the Silver Bracket.

First was a 25-20, 27-25 squeaker over Smith Valley. “We played well that game, moving well on defense, and I was pleased with the team taking the final two points for the win, said coach Katie Benson.

Strong team play continued on Saturday as they showed good offense.

Benson said the game for seeding into bracket play was with Smith Valley and won that one. That gave Eureka the higher seed and matched them with Silver Stage which they won 25-18, 25-14.

This moved them into the Silver Bracket where they first played

Portola, California [near Bishop] and took the match 2-1.

That win moved the Lady Vandals into the Silver Bracket championship where they faced North Tahoe.

The Lakers took the first game 17-25, but Eureka regrouped and took the final two games and the match with 25-19 and 15-13 scores.

“We were ahead that whole last game,” Benson said. “I don’t remember it being that close.”

She said, “Shauna Brown did a good job running the offense, Savannah Sanders played steller on defense and Alia Minoletti and Josie Hoekenga played well on offense.”

“Also, the serving of Mikala Talbot was a big reason that we won that North Tahoe match,” Benson said. “She recorded six aces and six kills. Alia Minoletti had eight kills.”

Benson has a strong group of returning players and said, “The girls are just coming in a little stronger and are playing really well as a team which is very important in volleyball.”

Eureka hosted Round Mountain Aug. 30 and will participate in the Battle Mountain tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 1.