Exciting rematch in Blanding for San Juan and Monticello volleyball teams

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
On Saturday, August 27 local rivals San Juan and Monticello squared off on the volleyball court at the Dixie Fly High Tournament in St. George, opening their season series with an exciting battle.
The Buckaroos had the Broncos on the ropes in that match, up two sets to one, before San Juan rallied for two straight wins to take the match.
The teams returned to San Juan County this past Tuesday, August 30 for a rematch with Monticello looking to turn the tables on the Broncos.
This time it was a back-and-forth thriller that again went the full distance to a fifth set. The Buckaroos got the lead with a 25-18 win in the first, but San Juan rallied to tie with a tight 25-22 win in the second.
Monticello again took the advantage, winning the third set 25-21. And again the Broncos rallied to tie with a 25-21 win and force the fifth and final set.
Appropriately it was a tight battle, going right down to the wire with San Juan sneaking away with a 15-13 win to take the match 3-2 like they did in St. George.
The two early-season games between the rivals have been exactly what they should be – exciting, hard-fought battles. The Buckaroos will have one final chance this season to take down the Broncos when the teams meet in Monticello next Tuesday, September 13.
San Juan finished off the week with a double dip, at home against Parowan on Thursday, September 1, then on the road against South Sevier on Friday, September 2.
They suffered a 3-1 loss to the Rams but bounced back to beat…the Rams, also in four sets. Following the conclusion of the week the Broncos are sporting a 6-3 record on the season.
San Juan Head Coach Misty Perkins said she’s very proud of her players, explaining that they overcame a number of illnesses and injuries to pick up two wins on the week.
The Broncos have two games this week, another rivalry matchup at home against the 3-4 Grand County Red Devils, and on the road to face a tough 8-2 Kanab squad.
Monticello also finished out the past week strong, sweeping Green River in Monticello on Thursday, September 1.
The first two sets of the match were tight (25-23 and 25-21), but the Buckaroos closed them out with a 25-12 shellacking in the third set.
Monticello is 3-6 on the season and are also set for two matches this week. On Wednesday, September 7 they welcome a very strong Dove Creek Bulldog squad that’s looking to keep their perfect season alive (they’re currently 8-0).
Then the Buckaroos will hit the road on Friday, September 9 to take on the Pinnacle Academy Panthers in Price.