Beaver Dam’s Elizabeth Jensen goes high for an attempted kill during Friday’s season opening match against El Capitan at the Snake Pit. The Lady D-Backs prevailed 3-1.
Beaver Dam High head coach Charyn McDonnell’s smile following Friday’s season opening win in the Snake Pit over visiting El Capitan said it all.
Prior to Friday’s match, the Lady Diamondbacks had never defeated the Colorado City, AZ, school. All of that changed, however, as BDHS posted a 3-1 victory to notch its first ever victory over the Eagles.
El Capitan won the first game 25-22, but the Lady D-Backs battled back to take the next three by scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-21 to make history.
“I am so happy for our girls,” McDonnell said after the match. “I have a lot of respect for El Capitan. They are well coached and have a solid program. They’re a well-oiled machine.”
The Eagles led from start to finish in the first game. Trailing 19-11, the Lady D-Backs rallied to make things interesting at the end.
Two services aces by April Snyder, an ace by Marissa Horner and kills by Elizabeth Jensen and Christina Leach got Beaver Dam within 24-22, but a net serve clinched the game for the Eagles.
In game two, BDHS trailed 15-10 before pulling even at 18-18 on a kill by Jensen. The game remained close and was tied at 23-all before the Lady D-Backs claimed the final two points – the game-winner coming on an ace by Horner.
Two aces and a kill by Jensen helped Beaver Dam jump in front 7-1 in the third game. Solid play by Nancy Lopez, who had several digs, and Vanessa Quevedo helped increase the margin to 17-7. El Capitan rallied to get within 23-20, but a dig by Lopez sailed over the net untouched for the final point.
The fourth game appeared to be headed in the Eagles’ favor with El Capitan leading 16-13. Aces by Quevedo and Leach, plus a kill by Lizzie Garlick, put Beaver Dam up 19-18.
The Lady D-Backs added five more points to lead 24-18 setting up game and match point. After three straight points by the Eagles, Jensen ended the match with a booming kill.
“I thought we played well for the first match of the season,” McDonnell said. “We had some girls playing in new positions because our left outside hitter Shy Pierce was out with an (ankle) injury. They stepped in and played well. I’m just really happy right now.”
Beaver Dam will play in the Dixie Invitational Friday and Saturday in St. George, UT, and will play at Coral Academy in Henderson Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m.
