Skip to main content

Netters drop to 2-1 in conference

By
Sonja Karp, NLJ Sports Editor

The fifth-ranked Lady Dogie Volleyball squad started last week with a solid win over the Lady Trailblazers in Torrington on Friday, but then slipped from first place in the Northeast Quadrant to second, after dropping a hard-fought, five-set battle against the Moorcroft Lady Wolves on Saturday in the Dogie Dome at home. 
“We struggled a bit with energy and communication in both matches this week,” said head coach Mickey Crabtree, frowning. “We also had to make some adjustments with Shelby [Tidyman] out for the weekend, and that made a difference.”
Tidyman, who suffered a concussion in the previous weekend’s contest against Buffalo, is the team’s libero, or defensive specialist, and is somewhat of the “quarterback” of the team regarding communication and often starting off the team’s offensive attack. 
Gabby McVay got the nod to don the libero uniform over the weekend, and although she performed well in the role, having a new person in that pivotal position requires a pretty big adjustment on the fly.
“Gabby stepped into the role very nicely, but it’s still an adjustment for everyone — her included — to be playing a new position,” Crabtree reported. 
The Lady Dogies prevailed over the Lady ‘Blazers 25-18, 25-17 and 25-19, so once again won in three straight sets. However, Torrington made it a bit harder on Newcastle to take away those victories.
“The ‘Blazers have improved a lot since the first weekend of play and have made a lot of changes and worked hard,” said Crabtree. “Overall, both teams came ready to play. It was a lot of back and forth, which was a lot different than the first time we played them.” 
On Saturday, the Lady Dogies turned around to play an early game beginning at noon against Moorcroft.
The Lady Wolves have started off their tenure in 3A strong, having picked up wins in the preseason against some tough competition, and they came into the Dome ready to play. 
When the two teams met earlier, Moorcroft came away with the win and were looking to repeat — which they ultimately did, taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-21. Newcastle rallied to take the third and fourth sets, 25-16 and 25-23, which brought up the fifth and deciding set. 
The lead changed hands several times, but the Lady Wolves were able to prevail and pick up the final two points to take the set and match, 18-16.
“That was a tough loss,” Crabtree said. “Moorcroft has a strong back row as far as passing goes, and a pretty good setter, but we struggled with energy and communication, which made a huge difference.”
The Lady Dogies also struggled to string more than two or three points together, allowing the Lady Wolves the opportunity to not only stay in the game, but to take control as well.
“Moorcroft anticipated the big block and they were able to move their hits to where we were not, and that was kudos to them,” Crabtree admitted. “We are working on our volleyball IQ and seeing the floor because we have these great, hard hits, but we hit it right to them, or tip it right to them. This week, we are really going to work on that.”
This week, the Lady Dogies will travel to Douglas to take on the Lady Bearcats on Thursday. This will be the fourth time Newcastle has gone up against the ‘Cats, and so far have found themselves on the losing end, so they are determined to right that ship. 
Then, on Friday, the ladies will host the Lady Bulldogs of Sundance beginning at 4 p.m. with C-team action, and varsity scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

--- Online Subscribers: Please click here to log in to read this story and access all content.

Not an Online Subscriber? Click here to subscribe.



Sign up for News Alerts

Subscribe to news updates