Orem sweeps Springville in duel for possession of third place

OREM — Springville and Orem entered Tuesday's volleyball match tied for third place in Region 7, and the Tigers survived the three-game (25-22, 27-25, 25-18) battle for sole possession of that spot.

The two teams were deadlocked at 2-2 in league play before the match began. But as the first half of the region season ended, the Tigers defended their home court in a match that wasn't as easy as the sweep indicates.

"Our passing was much improved this match over any other game we've played this season," said Orem coach Wayne Wood, noting that the solid passing was the biggest reason for the Tigers' victory. "If we keep what we had going here, if we keep passing consistently, the second half of the season is going to be so much fun."

He added that when his team's passing is working, the Tigers have so many hitting options, it's hard for the other team to defend them.

Those hitters were keeping the Red Devils guessing all match long as April Robins led the team with 11 kills, but she had plenty of help from Lindsey Jefferson with eight kills and Amy Gonzalez with five.

But it was Emily Julien who always seemed to pound it to the other side of the net on the key points. She not only scored on seven kills but she added six blocks to the mix as she took over as a backboard at the net.

In Game 1, the Tigers took early control with a 14-3 run as they ran out to a 21-10 lead behind three straight defensive points by Julien in the middle of the run. They didn't hold onto the lead, however, as they allowed Springville to get right back in the mix with a 12-3 run of their own. April Robins finally finished things off with a kill on game point, but it wasn't easy, just as Game 2 wasn't easy either.

Springville got off to a quick start in Game 2 and looked prepared for payback on the Tigers, but it couldn't secure any more than a four-point lead, and it didn't hold up as Orem fought back for a 24-24 tie. Julien smacked down a Springville overpass for the eventual Orem victory in the second game, once again proving she can play when it counts the most.

But the Red Devils had a tough time coming back from the tight loss in the second game and found themselves falling further and further into a Game 3 hole before finally succumbing on a service error and giving Orem the match.

"We're looking for a leader to step up and be the most consistent player.