FARSON – The non-conference preseason heated up for the Big Piney Lady Punchers’ volleyball team with an away game against 1A Farson on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Big Piney put up a stiff fight in the first two sets, with Farson only managing to pull ahead by a few points for the wins. Farson upped the pressure for a third-set win, sealing a 3-0 victory for the Lady Pronghorn.

“Farson has some power hitters on the outside as well as their middles,” said Head Coach Kinsy Voss. “We are working to find what defense will work best for us. We also utilized this game to run some specialty sets for our top hitters. Some minor adjustments will be made so we can have a successful year.”

Big Piney scored the opening point of the first set, served up by junior Kendra Willoughby. Sophomore Kodee Greene hit over point 2 and fellow sophomore Kaity Shreve setup point 3.

Junior Micah Strong delivered a powerful kill, assisted by a dig from sophomore libero Lizzy Brandt. Freshman Jada Banks hit over a pair of points.

Senior Taylor Cary spiked the ball and Greene reached up for a block. Willoughby served over two points. Cary and Greene each followed up with hits on offense and Greene made another block.

Strong and junior Addison Losik both powered kills over the net. Strong bumped up point 21 before Farson edged up to score game point, 25-21.

The second set remained neck-and-neck. The Lady Punchers tied the set at point 3, set over by Greene.

Farson retook the initiative, although Big Piney battled back to close the gap. Greene successfully defended the net with a set of blocks. Strong delivered two hits on offense.

Losik took her turn defending the net with a pair of blocks and then served up an ace. Cary spiked over a point and Willoughby scored twice while serving, tying the game again at point 15.

Greene made a kill and a block and Shreve set the ball across the net. Strong tapped the ball into Farson’s territory and junior Charleigh Smith served up a point. Farson eventually widened the lead to win the set, 25-21.

The Lady Punchers kept pace with Farson early in the third set. Big Piney tied the game at point no. 5, served up by Brandt. Smith delivered a pair of serves and Strong slammed over a kill to tie the set again at 9 points. Farson regained the lead and held it through game point, 25-10.

Big Piney will hit the road for the two-day Big Horn Invitational in Sheridan County on Sept. 8-9.

“I’m excited about Big Horn,” said Coach Voss. “It’s one of my favorite tourneys and we get to see the other side of the state.”