Panguitch eager to play Rich

OREM — Last year the Panguitch volleyball team didn't get a chance to play Rich in the 1A volleyball tournament.

"Last year we lost in the semifinals to Whitehorse, so we didn't get to play Rich," senior setter Chelsea Birch said Friday after Panguitch's quarterfinal win over Green River, 25-14, 25-16, 25-17. "So I'm really looking forward to playing them this year. We'll just do our best, and see how we do."

The Bobcats' win over Green River ensured a meeting today with the top-ranked Rebels, a team that has defeated Panguitch in either the semifinals or finals the last five years — except for last season when the Raiders defeated the Bobcats.

And while it may seem odd that this year's Panguitch team actually wants to take on the Rebels, they know if they're ever going to claim a volleyball title, they'll have to find a way to beat Rich.

The second-ranked Bobcats are playing well with sweeps of the first two teams they faced in the 1A tournament at UVSC Friday. Two of their players have set new records this season in two different categories.

Senior outside hitter Halie Sawyer earned 19 kills in the win over the Pirates, and Birch had 20 assists. Sawyer now has 549 kills in her four-year career at Panguitch.

Bobcat coach Troy Norris said the team isn't worried about who they play today, just that they need to play the way they have all season.

"We're just going to go in and play our game, and not really worry about them," he said. "I think it'll be a good game."

The only regret the Bobcats have is that they'll meet Rich in the semifinals.

"I would definitely rather meet them in the final game," Birch said with a shrug.

The Pirates played well against the Bobcats and may have surprised a few with their first-round success this season.

"We haven't even been up here four a couple of years, so this is a really good learning experience for us," said coach Kayce Fluckey. "Our seniors came here as freshman, but most of our team is juniors and they'll be back next year. We knew this would be a tough game."

Rich swept both opponents in its first two matches of the tournament. They defeated Valley in the first round and Whitehorse in the second round. Altamont and Monticello will face off in the other bracket's semifinal match today at 10:30 a.m.

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