Lady Prospectors tame Panthers in home opener

PHILIPSBURG – The Granite volleyball team had no issues with dispatching the Panthers of Sheridan High School Saturday afternoon, winning 25-18, 25-16 and 25-16.

“It was a good match to get the first game jitters out,” said GHS Head Coach Jennifer Graham, “especially with all of the COVID protocols. As always its about growth and pushing ourselves to to correct mistakes and elevate our game.

“The girls are thankful to be playing.”

Granite battled the visitors in the match’s opening stanza, eventually finding themselves knotted at 14-14. It was then that a quick service run by Asha Comings allowed the Lady Prospectors to take a lead that they would extend to an eventual seven-point win.

They repeated the process for victories in games two and three to earn the win.

Lucia Lee led the attack at the net with six kills and had one of the team’s three blocks along with teammates Amelia Hill and Rachel Ward. Ward had 11 assists to lead the locals while Coming was tops in service aces with seven.

Prior to the game Coach Graham looked ahead at what her team expects for the 2020 season.

“We are young this year, graduating six seniors and having no incoming freshman makes for a situation that is unique. Throw in COVID and it's a real doozie. We are looking to seniors Amelia hill and Summer Phillips and juniors Asha Comings and Reece pitcher. Hill is a returning all conference player and both Pitcher and Comings put up impressive numbers in statistics and  team leader boards last year. It's an uncertain time and the girls have a passion for volleyball and are embracing the "live in the moment mentality"

Granite will host county rival Drummond Tuesday night and will celebrate their seniors as well. The junior varsity match will kick things off at 5:30 followed by the varsity matchup at 7 p.m.