Brighton rallies to win tourney

With an outside hitter like Krista Kelley on the team, it's easy to lean on her just a little too much.

The Bengals got caught doing that in the first game of the championship match of the Tournament of Champions at Skyline High. It cost them the first game against defending the 5A champions, Pleasant Grove, but with a lineup change and a little help from the rest of the Bengal lineup, Brighton came back to claim its second straight championship at the tournament with a 19-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-13 win.

"Everyone in the world knows the ball is going to her or Cassandra," said Brighton coach Jeremiah Larsen, of 6-2 Kelley and 6-3 right-side hitter Cassandra Ricketts, who actually led the team in kills in the match with 12.

"I think we came out flat. They came out and played hard, and they just played a lot better that first game ... We flipped our lineup so Krista was on a different girl. Most people think Krista is the only girl on this team, but we have a lot of players who can contribute."

Larsen adjusted the lineup after Pleasant Grove blocked Kelley's hits three or four times. The Vikings' Sarah Clement led the defense and Whitney Mendivil and Hailey Barner kept frustrating the Brighton hitters with big blocks early in the match. Then junior setter Missy White began mixing up the offense, and Brighton ran away with the match.

"I thought (Missy) set a more diversified game after that," Larsen said. "Hopefully we learned we still have a lot to work on."

Kelley finished with nine kills, while sophomore middle Aurie Robinson came in and made a big difference on the net. She finished with six kills and seven blocks, while Ricketts added eight blocks. White earned 35 assists and had four blocks, something she and Ricketts say is one of the most thrilling aspects of the game.

"Blocking is the most amazing feeling," Ricketts said, "because you're taking a hit away from them."

Added White, "That was so fun!"

Both girls said winning the championship wasn't their goal at this weekend's tournament.

"We are just trying to get better," Ricketts said. "It wasn't about winning the tournament."

Larsen said the teens have dealt with the pressure of everyone's expectations the last three seasons.

"There is tons of pressure on these kids," he said. "This year is no different. Hopefully we learn from our past experiences and improve instead of just staying the same."