Vandals Girls Pick Up Wins; Football Team Returns Tonight

Eureka won a pair of volleyball matches this past weekend, home court matches with Round Mountain and Tonopah.

Friday was a match with the Knights of Round Mountain which the Lady Vandals won in straight sets of 25-20, 25-15, 25-22.

That was followed the next day with an exciting 3-2 win over the Muckers because for the most part the scores were close as the teams battled each other back and forth. Scores were 27-29, 25-16, 23-25, 25-15, 15-13, the Vandals getting a two-point win in the deciding set.

Coach Katie Benson said both matches were “very exciting. The girls played with a lot of intensity because the last time we played Round Mountain it went five sets, (Eureka winning 3-2). This time we did a really good job in three.”

Kyra Todd had six kills to match the six from Round Mountain’s Brooklyn Hanks.

“Todd did a very good job in that match attacking for us,” Benson said, “was very consistent.”

Carlie Wells and Molly Zimmerman helped the Vandals out with four kills and both had three service aces.

Benson noted that sophomore Sage Borba did a great job in both matches passing the ball and doing serve-receives. Josie Hoekenga and Todd were both credited with three blocks.

In the Tonopah match, the Muckers won the first set but the Vandals rallied to take the next three in a 3-2 victory.

Wells was the star player for Eureka as she had 10 kills, but she was overshadowed by Tonopah’s Hannah Dowers who had 13 kills.

Zimmerman had seven service aces against Tonopah and Isabella Minoletti scored five. Hoekenga recorded four blocks.

“The girls are playing very good defense across the board,” Benson said, “always a good sign.”

This week, Eureka (4-9) had a match with Carlin on Wednesday and this Saturday will play at Jackpot. It’s first of five away matches that will go until Oct. 10.

In football, the Vandal’s had the week off as Round Mountain has cancelled their season this year leaving Eureka with an unexpected open date. Extra practice time.

This week the boys play at Pyramid Lake. Eureka has a 5-0 record over the Lakers in football in the few times they have played since 2004.

Looking around the state at 1A football at this point in the season, it appears the traditional teams that have usually been the strongest over the past 10 years will be there again. Smith Valley, Pahranagat Valley, Spring Mountain, Virginia City are at the top of the list. Now throw Eureka into the mix and possibly even the Beatty Hornets.

The Vandals are the defending champions of the 1A east league while Spring Mountain is the defending state champion.