Sky View downs Bountiful, keeps streak alive

BOUNTIFUL — The Sky View Bobcats expected a winning season this year. But traversing region play without a loss and just two matches left? Not many saw that coming.

"We wanted to go undefeated, but I didn't really expect to," said Sky View coach Shane Jones.

For a moment, that unexpected win streak almost came to an unexpected end when the Bobcats were caught off guard by the Bountiful Braves Tuesday night.

"We talk about not sleeping on the bus, and this is why," said Jones after third-ranked Sky View woke up to take control of the match and win 18-25, 25-15, 25-15, 25-14. "They did a great job serving to us that first game. If you're not ready, and someone serves you tough like that, the game is going to get away from you pretty quickly."

The Bobcats returned the favor the second, third and fourth games, serving much tougher themselves while turning in a pretty impressive defensive effort.

"I think we served much tougher after that first game and it helped keep them out of their offense a little," he said. The Bobcats were led by senior middle blocker Nicole Sorensen, who finished with 14 kills and six blocks. She was a participant in several blocks in a row in the second game that altered the way Bountiful hitters approached the net in subsequent games. One reason may be Sky View's use of three blockers.

"It's pretty hard to hit through three blockers," Jones said. "We'd rather have a team tipping at us than hitting at us."

Teammate Kacie Egbert added eight kills, but it was her serving that really helped her team as she served 34 points, had zero serving errors and earned four aces.

The Bobcats are one of the squads with a lot of experience back this season. Setter Rachael Weaver is only a junior, but she has been running the Sky View offense for three years.

"We've changed a lot from last year," Jones said. One thing they do differently is mix things up - a lot. "We instituted a back row attack and that helps when we're having trouble with a block. We have a number of girls that can lead the team in hitting each night."

In a recent outing against Roy four players earned eight blocks each.

"We like to mix things up because it keeps everybody involved," Jones said. "And it keeps the other team honest."

Opposite hitter Niki Griffiths was very effective in game three for Sky View with four blocks and four kills, and libero Shanda Larsen picked up 12 digs.