Lady Bucks open year, fall to Dove Creek

The Monticello Lady Buckaroo volleyball team had a slow start in their first match against the Dove Creek Bulldogs on August 20.

After the junior varsity put away DCHS in three sets, starters Taylor Lewis, Abbi Christensen, Amy Lewis, Athea Ford, Kylie Rogers and Ali Barry took some time to start gelling together. Coach Kelli Keyes made surgical substitutions to utilize a deep bench.

Dove Creek’s tall team used solid hits and relentless digs to bring them a win in the first set 25-20. With a few changes, Monticello was still not able to combat the Bulldogs offense and dropped the next two sets 25-13 and 25-16.

Hard to read hitter Kylie Rogers enjoyed five kills on the night. New to the front row this year, senior Athea Ford got four good kills.

Middle blocker Ali Barry got one solid block and five great kills. Utilizing the block, Jessi Slack got three kills on the night.

Setter Abbi Christensen is credited with seven assists for kills and eight defensive digs. Libero Rosy Beh led the defensive effort with nine digs.

The Lady Bucks head to St. George for the Dixie Fly High Tournament this weekend. Tournament paperwork says they will play a RPI format.

Matches will be played at Crimson Cliffs High and Desert Hills Middle School.