The Laramie Lady Plainsmen volleyball team continues to roll along after a pair of conference victories by sweep last weekend.

Laramie (23-4, 8-0) beat the Gillette Camels Friday night and the Sheridan Broncs Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Rebecca Baker said after Saturday’s match, she can see their progress.

“It’s amazing to see from when we first played these guys to now, how much this team has grown. I mean, Sheridan’s a great team. They’re scrappy, they frustrate you, and we kind of forced them to play our game, which was really great to see.”

The Lady Plainsmen topped the Camels by scores of 25-13, 25-18 and 25-11. Senior Maia Edwards led the offense with nine kills. Junior Jennifer Aadland added six kills and 10 digs. As a team, LHS produced six service aces.

Saturday’s victory was even more dominant. Laramie won 25-11, 25-8 and 25-13 over the Broncs. Edwards had 12 kills, three blocks and five digs. Aadland added eight kills, three blocks and seven digs. Senior Katie Welniak contributed six kills and 13 digs, while senior Lexi Pulley had 16 digs. LHS finished the match with 50 digs.

Baker said defensively, that’s our focus.

“If a ball can’t hit the ground, the other team’s not scoring, and there’s nothing more frustrating than when a team can’t get a ball down on your court, and so I’m so glad that these girls have bought in and made that a focus for this team.”

The Lady Plainsmen also served up 11 aces.

Baker added, “That was probably one of the best serving games I’ve seen us do. I could give ‘em any zone I wanted, and we were hitting it, so it was really great to see us improve because we really focused on that this week in practice.”

Welniak admitted the pressure and target on them is actually something new.

“In previous years we’ve always been kind of the underdogs the whole season, and it’s been amazing just to be on top for this season, and to really enjoy every game.”

Welniak said there’s still a lot of pressure on Laramie.

“All the teams in the conference are great competition for us. We just have to do our job every game and play our best.”

LHS just reached No. 1 in the most recent Wyopreps.com Coach’s and Media Volleyball Poll. New rankings will come out Thursday. Laramie returns to action with matches at South Thursday and Thunder Basin in Gillette Saturday.

Lady Plainsmen Swimming and Diving

Not to be out-done, but the Laramie Lady Plainsmen Swimming and Diving team remained undefeated in dual competition this season with four wins last Friday in a quad dual.

Laramie beat all three Cheyenne high schools and Rawlins at the LHS Natatorium. The Lady Plainsmen won eight of the 12 events.

Senior Maggie Clerkin and junior Carter Burchi won two events apiece. Clerkin finished first place in the 200 and 500 freestyle, while Burchi added victories in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. LHS swept all three relays, and junior Teryn White won diving.

Laramie beat Rawlins 128-41, South 127-43, East 120.50-to-47.50 and Central 101-80 in the quad dual.

The Lady Plainsmen finish dual action 15-0 on the season. They head to Gillette for two competitions this weekend, including the Gillette Invite on Saturday at the Campbell County Aquatic Center.

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