From Deseret News archives:
Lone Peak outlasts Timpanogos
Lone Peak and Timpanogos were tied 5-1 atop the league standings, and the Knights were seeking revenge for an earlier victory by the T-Wolves. Lone Peak now stands alone at 6-1, while Timpanogos dropped into a tie with Pleasant Grove at 5-2.
"It's our goal right now to win region outright," said Lone Peak coach Deanna Meyer, who noted that her team has never won a league title without having to share it, despite taking two state championships in the past three years.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have languished for those same years but seem to have turned a major corner and plan to vie for their own state title this season.
"Timpanogos is a good well-rounded team. They've had a successful year; they have a lot of weapons; and they are extremely well-coached," said Meyer of her competition. "They have so many more weapons this year."
Cali Nelson and Jhordan Te'o led the newly powerful T-Wolves with 15 kills each in the supremely intense match. Jenna Oldroyd added nine kills to the great effort.
"I feel good that my girls did a great job. We've been facing mental ups and downs ... but we came through in the rallies (in Game 5)," said Timpanogos coach Lala Mulitala. "It's nice to see our team play. This is our real team. It's like we play up to the level of the competition."
And the competition was playing on a terrific level. Lone Peak's Lacey Laycock put up 41 assists, and Caitlin Jensen and Lacey Cramer added some great serve receiving, which is something Meyer said her team has struggled with.
Cramer pounded down eight kills, including one key hit late in the fifth game that helped the Knights regain some lost momentum. After splitting the first four games, the two teams took the fiery action into an exciting fifth. Though the Knights led through most of the final game of the match and there were only two ties, as compared to 29 ties throughout the rest of the match, the T-Wolves only found themselves behind 11-10 late in the match and 14-13 on match point.
"I would rather play matches like this to get ready for state than easy ones that give us a false sense of confidence," said Meyer.
This one was anything but easy. Christie Carpenter led her potent attack with 25 kills, including the final put-down on match point. Sophomore Aubrey Muaina added nine kills, including two key spikes in Game 5.
Lone Peak will find itself in another key matchup Thursday against Pleasant Grove that could pretty much decide the Region 4 winner.
