Two Big Conference Wins for the Lady Plainsmen

The Laramie Lady Plainsmen volleyball opened conference play with a pair of victories last weekend on the home court.

Laramie (10-2, 2-0) swept Sheridan in three sets last Friday night. Scores were 25-16, 25-20 and 25-19. Sophomore Jennifer Aadland led the way with 10 kills. Junior Maia Edwards contributed seven kills, while junior Shyann Bastian had 28 assists and nine digs.

Head coach Rebecca Stewart said the key against the Lady Broncs was team play.

“We were very low error. We played together, of course, and just built on every play; improved when we needed to; and I think that really is what kept us that solid, consistent lead the whole time.”

Saturday produced a come-from-behind five set thriller over Gillette. Down two-sets-to-one, the Lady Plainsmen won the fourth set 25-21 and pulled out the final set 17-15. Aadland had 14 kills and two blocks. Junior Katie Welniak added 12 kills, while Bastian finished with 32 assists, seven digs and four service aces.

Stewart added what helped them pull it out was how they played together.

“We maintained high energy the whole time. Even when we would go in lulls where we were playing great, they stuck together, worked together until they got out of it. It’s amazing how far that kind of stuff can take you in a volleyball match.”

The Lady Plainsmen don’t return to action until, Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Golf

Both Laramie high school golf teams came in second place when the Laramie Invite was completed last Friday at Jacoby Golf Course.

After two days and 36 holes of action, senior Amanda Warren won the girls individual title. She shot a two-day total of 175 and won by two strokes. Paige Stibitz and Makenzie Yeend placed eighth and tenth, respectively.

As a team the Lady Plainsmen shot a 627 total and finished three strokes behind Rock Springs.

The Plainsmen were runner-up behind Cheyenne Central by ten strokes. Laramie fired a 676 over the two days on the links. Three Plainsmen finished in the top ten. Colby Clay was sixth, Nathan Salmans took seventh and Henry Yost tied for tenth.

Cross Country

Laramie took part in the Liberty Bell Invitational last Friday in Littleton, CO. They competed in Division 2, which is one higher than LHS is slotted for based upon enrollment.

The Lady Plainsmen were second out of 20 teams. They had a total of 109 points and came in behind Broomfield, CO. Freshman Abigail Whitman took 14th place, while senior Maria Smith-Lopez was 16th.

The Plainsmen were third at 130 points. Silver Creek, CO and Broomfield, CO were first and second. Laramie was led by Philip Henry, who placed third. Liam McInroy took sixth, while Albert Steiner finished eighth.

Girl’s Swimming and Diving

Laramie swept a triple dual at home last Friday and then came in second at the Cheyenne Invite Saturday at South High School.

The Lady Plainsmen squeaked past Sheridan, 93.50-to-91.50. They blew out Green River, 122-64 and Evanston, 152-34. They won four combined events. Freshman Olivia McPherson took first in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Michaela Pooler won diving, and LHS captured the 200 free relay. They added three new state qualifiers and are at 18 on the season. Elena Hennerman made it in the 100 backstroke. Madison Dale achieved the mark in the 100 breaststroke. The final qualifier was Kelcey Anderson in the 100 butterfly.

Last Saturday, the Lady Plainsmen finished a distant second behind the Gillette Camels at the Cheyenne Invite. Laramie scored 209 points, which was 111 back of Gillette. Laramie won two events. Maggie Clerkin was first in the 200 freestyle, and Teryn White took first in diving.

Tennis

The LHS tennis teams had a rough road trip north last Friday and Saturday. Both teams lost to Gillette and Sheridan.

The Lady Plainsmen were without their singles players and a few other top players due to ACT testing. They were swept, 5-0, by the Lady Camels, and then lost 4-1 to the Lady Broncs.

The Plainsmen also suffered a 5-0 defeat to Gillette and 4-1 to the Sheridan.