Monticello volleyball suffers loss in Moab

After another tough home loss last week to the San Juan Broncos, the Monticello High School volleyball team (0-3) looked for the first win of their young season when they traveled to Moab on Thursday, September 10 to take on Grand County (6-1). 

The Lady Bucks played Grand in August in Monticello and dropped the match 3-1. 

Grand jumped out quickly and took the first set 25-17. MHS rallied in the second set for a 25-20 win. 

But that was all Monticello could muster. Grand took the final three sets 25-13, 25-21, and 16-14 to hand MHS the 4-1 loss.

The top server for the match was Elli Nielson who served at a 95.2 percent service rate with three aces. Whitney Knudsen also served well, serving at 93.8 percent with two aces. 

Nielson also shined in service returns with a return rate of 1.52 on 21 attempts. Megan Black was also effective on returns, obtaining a 1.44 rating on 36 attempts.

Black was one of the team’s top hitters with nine kills on 34 attempts for a hitting percentage of .118. 

Presley Lewis also had nine kills on 25 attempts. Whitney Knudsen ended the game with seven kills on 27 attempts and a team high .148 hitting percentage. 

Whitney Knudsen also led the team with two solo blocks. Megan Black was in on three assisted blocks. 

Saydi Young and Morgan Maloy led the team with 11 assists apiece to which Maloy added 15 digs. Presley Lewis had a nice game with 14 digs, and Elli Nielson ended the game with 10 digs.  

The Lady Bucks commenced Region 16 play on Tuesday, September 17 when they traveled to Salina to meet the North Sevier Lady Wolves (0-4). 

The girls will be back home on Thursday, September 19 for another region match when they host the Duchesne Lady Eagles (0-2).