Prep recap: Eagle volleyball uses powerful attack to blow past Timberline in 5A SIC match
The Eagle High volleyball team has played only a handful of matches to start the 2022 season, but it’s already abundantly clear why the Mustangs were picked to win the 5A Southern Idaho Conference in a preseason coaches’ poll.
Not only do the Mustangs have a savvy senior setter in Rhys Layton, but they also have a wealth of hitters to diversify their attack.
That attack was on full display Tuesday night when the Mustangs swept Timberline 25-12, 25-19, 26-24 in a conference match at Eagle High.
“We have some powerful in-system attackers that can go rip a ball,” Eagle coach Collin Hartman said. “Our focus has really been on out-of-system type plays; how can we still find creative ways to score and keep teams on edge?”
The Mustangs didn’t find themselves out of system much Tuesday night, with 52.6% of their points coming on kills. Junior outside hitter Delaney Bub and sophomore outside hitter Maija Howse led Eagle with nine kills apiece, while senior middle blocker Sofia Morton added seven kills and three blocks as eight Mustangs in all registered at least one kill.
“I trust my teammates with all my heart,” said Layton, who was credited with 28 assists. “… Good hitters make the setting so easy. They just make me look good in the sense that they can slam a ball down as hard as they want and nobody’s gonna pick it up on the other side.”
With Skyview’s return to the 4A classification, a new district champion will be crowned in the 5A SIC for the first time in five years. The Mustangs appear to be the favorites to assume that title, having played for the district championship three times over the past five seasons, including runner-up finishes the past two years. They also received nine of a possible 13 first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll.
“I’m really excited about (being picked first), and I’m really happy with how we’re doing as a team,” Bub said. “But I don’t think (the poll) says anything about where we’re at. I think that we have to continue to head into games not feeling complacent and making sure that we’re working for every point and not just the end result of things.”
Eagle never trailed in the first two sets against Timberline, but the Mustangs were met with a bit of adversity in the third set as Timberline attempted to force a fourth game up 22-20.
Hartman called a timeout to regroup his squad, which returned to the court and immediately got a kill from Morton to regain the momentum and close out the match.
“As a team we have a phrase: ‘In each other’s corner,’ ” Layton said. “We’re always supporting each other. Even when we’re getting aced two times in a row, we’re gonna pick up and get back at it.”
TUESDAY’S STANDOUTS
- Asia Lawyer, Centennial (girls soccer): Was the Patriots’ main scoring threat with four goals in a 6-0 win over Capital.
- Axel Gonzalez, Caldwell (boys soccer): Provided two goals and three assists for the Cougars in a 6-0 win over Nampa.
- Sophie Schmautz, Bishop Kelly (girls soccer): Scored three goals and added an assist for the Knights in a 6-1 win at Ridgevue.
- Daniel Hirai, Boise (boys soccer): Led the Brave attack with a goal and two assists in a 7-2 win over Kuna.
- Aliyah Meyer, Horseshoe Bend (volleyball): Had a team-high 36 assists along with six digs and three aces in the Mustangs’ 25-14, 26-24, 25-15 win over Cole Valley Christian.
Maggie Mills, Columbia (volleyball): Led the Wildcats in service points (19), kills (10) and aces (3) in a 25-9, 25-17, 25-14 win over Vallivue.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 11:11 PM.
