Quarterbacking Bayfield’s season-opening conquest of Piedra Vista in Farmington, seniors Mavis Edwards and Meghan Youngblood both left with “What did we just do?” expressions dominating their faces.
They set the proverbial bar for the 2019 season higher than themselves or almost anyone else would have expected.
“(Head coach Terene Foutz) said that this was the first time in three years that we came to PV and beat them,” said Youngblood, beaming over a 25-14, 25-9, 25-19 flogging of Four Corners regional rivals Piedra Vista, in which the 5A Lady Panthers managed to gain a lead just four times and in which 3A BHS managed to hold a lead as large as 17 points (23-6) during the second game.
“I remember looking up at the scoreboard in the second, and they were below five,” said Edwards. “I was like, ‘What?’ You know what I mean? Tonight was big for us; this set all the standards for us this season.”
Those standards would appear reachable, even more so with the M&M setters happy to again be healthy and also distributing to the M&M combo of Melissa (Roberts) and Macee (Schultz). In a pinch, libero Lana McKee made for three prime passers, and all helped deliver a win to birthday girl Brooke Merchant.
Even if PV isn’t as potent as usual, there was little doubting the victorious visitors’ drive. Edwards totaled 10 kills to go with 7 assists and 7 digs and would ultimately set Fusco (6 kills) for a match-point putaway.
Youngblood, meanwhile, did some of her best work offensively from the service line, where she helped secure Games 1 and 2 with extended stays and teed up an Edwards spike.
“We’ve really put in the effort this year,” said Youngblood, who logged a 10-assist, 11-dig double-double. “Our team’s young, but we’ve been together and finally got a chance to show how hard we’ve been working.”
Working on the court, and working off of it; both Youngblood and Edwards are back in action after missing most of last season, when the Wolverines finished just 7-16 overall and 5-5 in the Intermountain League.
“So, I had a little tear in my labrum,” Edwards said. “It wasn’t big enough for major surgery, so I did the physical therapy pretty much all winter and all spring. I took the time off, and it really helped.”
“I tore my labrum,” echoed Youngblood. “It’s awesome to be able to go from just taking stats on the sideline of varsity games to my senior year, being able to play.”
Though elated to contribute, both on-court conductors know a complete recovery will likely have to wait a while.
But for the time being, that prospect bothers neither.
“It’s still torn,” Youngblood admitted with a sly grin. “I did a lot of (physical therapy), a lot of taping, I just got a cortisone shot. So, I’m kind of just managing the pain right now. I had to be out the last half of the season last year, so I’m grateful for the fact that I’m OK and can continue to play.”
“I feel a little pain, but nothing compared to what it was last year,” Edwards said.
