Herders return to home court

Sarvey, Farley lead improving spikers against Torrington in non-conference match

After a busy opening weekend at the annual Douglas Invite, the Glenrock High School volleyball team enjoyed a relatively quiet week two while most teams took on their second tournament. For the Herders, it allowed the team to focus more on improving in practice with just one match – they home opener Sept. 7 against Torrington.

The Blazers, who have received state-ranking votes, gave Glenrock a big enough test to make it a successful week. The match was tied at some point in each of the final two sets but GHS couldn’t hold on in the very slim 25-13, 26-24, 25-23 defeat. 

One of the biggest improvements in just a week was the defense. Led by Caitlin Williams, Nevaeh Federer, Gracie Sixbey and Megan Farley, the Herders thwarted nearly two dozen outside attacks up keep the Torrington struggling for consistency. 

The defensive stands also led to more offensive chances and the GHS front line, many times with blistering attacks that snuffed out runs.

Glenrock fell behind 6-1 in the first set but answered the challenge. Makenzie  McCullough stuffed an attack and later smashed a kill thanks to a save via Evie Savage to eventually pull within two points at 7-5.

An ace by the Blazers and a pair of unforced errors ended the momentum. They used that shift to build their own streak to pull away and take set one.

The second stanza was much closer. Federer connected two immediate digs and that led to a thunderous kill courtesy of Farley, an outside boat by Sheridan Sarvey and a stuffed block Katie Albrandt that forced an 8-8 tie.

The Blazers converted a couple of miscues into points to move in front but never led by more than four points.

The Herders, meanwhile, kept things close with help from every player to touch the floor including two digs from Sixbey and back to back kills by Williams and Sarvey. Malorey Lawrence served up a beautiful ace, Sarvey smashed another shot and Williams made a fantastic save to help tie the match again.

Albrandt blocked another Torrington hit and Farley  chalked up another kill to tie it up again at 24-24. The rally ended two serves too early and the Blazers scored twice to hold off GHS for the set. 

Glenrock fell behind early in the third set and needed a time out to slow things down. It helped as McCullough, Albrandt and Farley took target practice at the Torrington defense with a barrage of his to tie the set at 8-8. The team grabbed its first lead on a Sarvey middle attack to make it 11-10.

A couple of unforced errors allowed the Blazers to reclaim their lead. It was short-lived once again thanks to the scrappy Glenrock defense that tied the score again at 18-18.

The Herders were close twice but couldn’t pull ahead late as Torrington held on for the slim decision. 

Glenrock will enjoy another week of practice before taking on its second tournament. The group will battle.

Head coach Ashlee Lopez didn’t return request for comment on the effort.