RAWLINS – An action-packed, hectic schedule continued for the Pinedale High School Lady Wranglers’ volleyball team at the Sandy Jebens Invitational hosted by Rawlins on Sept. 8-9.

Friday consisted of three pool play games against 3A competitors from across the state. Defeating both Lovell and Torrington and tying with Buffalo, the Lady Wranglers captured first place in the gold pool.

Saturday featured a bracket-style tournament. In the first round, Pinedale scored a decisive two-set victory against Rawlins. Advancing to the semifinals, Pinedale fought Powell to a 1-1 draw before Powell won the tie-breaking third set.

Pinedale then found itself battling Douglas for third place. The Lady Wranglers recovered from a first-set loss to win the second set, leading once again to a 1-1 stalemate. Unfortunately, Douglas edged up in a closely-contested third set for the win and third place in the bracket.

The Lady Wranglers finished bracket play in fourth place.

Head Coach Tamara Currah expressed pride in the Lady Wranglers’ tenacity at Rawlins.

“Pinedale volleyball had a great weekend at all levels,” Currah added.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Pinedale played cross-county rival Big Piney in the Wrangler Gym. The Lady Wranglers defeated the Lady Punchers, 3-0 (25-14, 25-20 and 25-12).

Rawlins day one

The tournament commenced with the Lady Wranglers taking on Lovell. Pinedale soundly defeated Lovell in both sets, 21-12 and 21-14.

Bolstered by the victory, the Lady Wranglers went on to play Buffalo. Hitting the court swinging hard in the first set, Pinedale won a tight battle against Buffalo, 21-18.

Buffalo managed to turn the tables in the second set, winning 21-12. With no tie breakers in pool play, the game was declared a 1-1 draw.

Resolved to stay in the game, the Lady Wranglers triumphed against 3A Southeast Torrington to snag first place in the gold pool. Pinedale crushed Torrington in the first set, 21-13 and shut down the Lady Blazers in a closer second set, 21-19.

Rawlins day two

The Lady Wranglers rose to the occasion in the first round of bracket play, defeating Rawlins, 2-0. Pinedale trounced the Lady Outlaws in both sets, 21-13 and 21-7, respectively.

“This was an early game for us and I was proud of the way the girls came out and played,” said Coach Currah. “We served hard and passed well. (Senior) Reagan Davis did a nice job with setting the ball and our hitters were able to have some big hits.”

Progressing to the semifinals, Pinedale found itself across the court from Powell.

Striking first, the Lady Wranglers won the first set, 21-13. Powell responded in the second set with a 21-16 win. Pinedale battled Powell through a close tie-breaker third set, though ultimately came up short, 15-6.

The Lady Wranglers hit the court against Douglas in the game to determine third place. The Lady Bearcats won the first set, 21-14.

Refusing to throw in the towel, Pinedale answered back in the second set with a 21-15 victory. The third set came down to the wire, with Douglas pulling out a narrow 15-11 win to place third in bracket play. The Lady Wranglers finished the tournament in fourth place.

“Overall, I was impressed with our level of play,” said Coach Currah. “I was happy with the team taking fourth place right now in our season. We will continue to work hard and get better each day.”