Rotation taking shape

The Newcastle Dogie volleyball team faced another challenging weekend at the Rawlins “Sandy Jebens” Invitational, where they ran into multiple ranked opponents, found a steady rhythm at times and kept tinkering with lineups in advance of conference play.

“The outcome was not what we wanted this weekend, but we are getting closer to finding a rotation that will give us the most success for (the) season,” head coach Mickey Crabtree said.

Newcastle opened against 3A No. 3 Lovell and traded points throughout before falling 21-19, 21-13. Sydney Pederson and Adalyn Olson both put down three kills, junior Lillie Morrill steadied serve-receive, and setter Kyndal Von Eye moved the ball to all pins with six assists as the Dogies matched Lovell’s pace for long stretches.

The Dogies stayed on the ranked track against Pinedale and dropped the first set before settling in during a tighter second, 21-6, 21-17. Olson led with four kills and seven digs, and sophomore Anika Oleson gave the back row a lift with clean receptions and an ace. Senior Callie Christensen chipped in defensively on the outside.

Newcastle’s response came in the next match, a straight-set win over the host Outlaws, 21-18, 21-15. Olson and Pederson each finished with four kills, Von Eye dished eight assists, and freshman Kaia Pederson came off the bench to serve two timely aces that helped flip momentum late in each set.

Day two began with a familiar foe as the Dogies met Burns for the third weekend in a row. Newcastle tightened the second set after a slow start, but the Broncs closed it out, 21-8, 21-19. Olson paced the attack with five kills and eight digs, Pederson added four kills, and Morrill was active at the net with touches that extended rallies.

The weekend closed against Wheatland, where Newcastle again pushed late before falling 21-11, 21-19. Olson hammered seven kills and added six digs, Morrill supplied two kills and three digs, and sophomore Zadyn Allen handled a heavy share of serve-receive while adding several key defensive plays.

“This week we will continue to address our weaknesses in order to turn them into our new strengths,” Crabtree said. Newcastle welcomes the Glenrock Herders for the home opener on Friday, Oct. 19, before heading to Buffalo on Saturday for another 3A East matchup with the Bison.

Newcastle at Rawlins Invite

• Lovell def. Newcastle, 21-19, 21-13
• Pinedale def. Newcastle, 21-6, 21-17
• Newcastle def. Rawlins, 21-18, 21-15
• Burns def. Newcastle, 21-8, 21-19
• Wheatland def. Newcastle, 21-11, 21-19

Dogie Statistical Highlights (5 matches)

Kills: Adalyn Olson, 23; Sydney Pederson, 15; Lillie Morrill, 6

Assists: Kyndal Von Eye, 42

Digs: Olson, 32; Pederson, 23; Morrill, 20

Aces: Sydney Pederson, 5; Kaia Pederson, 3; Adalyn Olson, 3; Anika Oleson, 2