In hostile territory in a big non-league game, the Bayfield Wolverines showed valiant fight.
But the Palisade Bulldogs would win the prize Friday night in their home game against the Bayfield High School volleyball team. Palisade (11-2, 8-1 4A Western Slope League) claimed a 3-2 victory, 25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 20-25, 15-13. It was a fierce fight from Class 3A Bayfield against a Class 4A league champion.
“Amazing match tonight,” Bayfield coach Terene Foutz said. “We were down 12-5 in the fifth, pushed it to 15-13. Fantastic offensive battle. I am proud of our serve team, and we kept Palisade off the net most of the match.”
BHS (8-4, 5-3 3A/2A Intermountain League) racked up 16 aces, led by Karyssa Gosney’s six. BHS also had nine team blocks.
Melissa Roberts had a huge night for the Wolverines with 17 kills with an astounding .592 hitting percentage. Annie Fusco also tallied 17 kills.
“Her line shots were seriously good,” Foutz said of Fusco. “She’s been working on that really, really hard, and I’m proud of her for locating them. She’s smiling right now because she knows that she’s found her next level. As a hitter, her attack range has broadened, and that’s all you can ask of a hitter, not to be a one-note song.”
Emily Nelson led the Wolverines with 22 digs, while Sage Killough distributed 48 assists.
BHS will get one last chance at a regular-season statement win at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Class 4A Montrose.
“We’re getting better inside of these matches,” Foutz said. “We want to play tough teams, improve trial-by-fire. I’m not going to coast and play small 2A, 1A schools to get a win. I don’t think that prepares you for regionals, so we are OK with risking a very good loss. That’s what we had today, and they escaped us.”
Joel Priest contributed to this report.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
