St. Joseph's triumphs over rival S.L. Lutheran

OREM — Coach Ray Franklin believes the St. Joseph's volleyball team has exceeded its potential with a sixth-place finish in this year's 1A State Tournament.

"I've called them overachievers all season," he said after the Jayhawks defeated region rival Salt Lake Lutheran 23-25, 25-18, 25-13, 28-26, Friday afternoon in consolation play at UVSC's Activity Center. "Any time you're in the state tournament you're playing teams that don't want to lose. They did a good job taking us out of our flow."

St. Joseph's senior setter Nikki Laure led the team in the sixth/eighth place match with 27 assists, 11 digs and six aces. Junior middle hitter Katie Wiechmann played another outstanding match with 12 kills, seven solo blocks and 18 digs.

Franklin credited the Lynx for disrupting the Jayhawk offense and for their tenacity in working hard despite the score.

"They fought hard, and I thought our girls hung in there," he said. "I'm happy we finished the way we did; this is the second best win-loss record in (volleyball) school history."

The Lynx lost sophomore middle hitter Lisa Kireiev to what appeared to be an ankle sprain. The loss means Salt Lake Lutheran played at a height disadvantage most of the match, as Kireiev went down in the first game.

They were down 21-13 when she left with the injury, but her teammates fought their way back into the game, eventually winning 25-23. They just couldn't overcome St. Joseph's play at the net.

"After the season we had, I'm happy we placed in state," said coach Mark Williams of the roller-coaster season. "I'm happy for the seniors, that they could finish the way they did."

The Lynx were led by senior middle blocker Patti Hicks, who smashed 18 kills, while senior outside hitter Heather Hoyer added nine kills and 26 digs. Both teams played stellar defense.

Senior setter Mindy King earned 31 assists and 18 service points, while senior outside Brannigan Roeber added eight kills.