2A high school volleyball playoffs: Poised Enterprise rallies to win

OREM — There is really only one way to stay composed when playing catch-up in a big game — focus on the task at hand.

"Just one point at a time," Enterprise head coach Brian Phelps said after the second-ranked Wolves came from behind in more than one set to defeat fourth-ranked Grand 26-24, 22-25, 28-26, 25-20 in the quarterfinals of the 2A state volleyball tournament. "They did a good job of not playing the match and just playing one point at a time."

The alternative is to panic, play timid and swing scared. And while that might be tempting, senior Tressa Lyman said the Wolves know from experience that being careful doesn't win tough games.

"This time we kept swinging away," said Lyman, who led the team with 30 kills, 22 digs, 8 blocks and five aces.

It is just the type of game a talented senior yearns for in her final season.

"Everyone was digging every ball," Lyman said. "That was crazy. It was fun because we were playing good and playing as a team."

And they were competing against one of the state's best squads, led by one of its best players. Utah-bound Shelby Dalton led the Red Devils with 20 kills and six blocks.

"It's just luck if you block her," Phelps said with a little laugh. "She's phenomenal."

Dalton's teammate Rachel Garrett added four blocks. Setter Tayor Hren finished with 38 assists and 16 digs in the loss that sends Grand to the consolation bracket.

The Red Devils will face top-ranked Waterford for a shot at fifth place. The Ravens were upset on the same court when unranked South Sevier defeated Waterford 15-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-20.

South Sevier will face Enterprise in the 2A semifinals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

In the other bracket, third-ranked San Juan swept North Summit 25-12, 26-24, 25-15 to earn the right to play South Summit at 10:30 a.m. in the semifinals.

The fifth-ranked Wildcats defeated Beaver 25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-14 in the quarterfinals.

Beaver and North Summit will play for a chance at fifth place at 9 a.m. today.

In addition to Lyman, Riley Hutchings had a nice game with six kills, 15 digs and seven blocks, while Summer Terry added six kills and 20 digs. Taylor Phelps earned 46 assists and 13 digs while running the offense.

Phelps said Lyman has been a stand-out statistically, but also emotionally.

"She's a coach on the floor," said Phelps. "She really builds the kids up."

He said the team watched top-ranked Waterford lose in the match just before theirs on Friday and it was a sobering reminder that records and rankings really mean nothing.

"Anybody can get beat in the tournament," said Phelps. "This is the strongest 2A has been in a lot of years."

He said their strategy against South Sevier will be similar to Friday's game plan.

"Keep it simple, pass well, keep moving," he said.

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com