3A LEAGUE FINAL: Third time the charm for Boulder City

In two regular-season meetings this year, Boulder City’s volleyball team didn’t have quite enough to defeat Virgin Valley.

On Friday, with a slightly-tweaked game plan, the Eagles made the third time their charm.

Karlee Koopman had 19 blocks and Emily Boyster added 13 as the Eagles effectively neutralized the biggest hitter on the floor and beat the Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-12 in the Class 3A Southern League final at Overton.

Boulder City (22-8) beat Moapa Valley in a semifinal match Friday just to get into the final and will be the South’s No. 1 seed at next week’s Class 3A state tournament at Silverado. Virgin Valley (14-14) also qualified for state.

The Eagles — who lost a 3-1 decision to Virgin Valley on Oct. 6 and suffered a 3-2 setback to the Bulldogs on Oct. 23 — defended well, especially against Virgin Valley junior Rachel Morris, a 6-foot, 3-inch middle blocker.

“In both matches today, the defense really carried us,” Boulder City coach Cherise Roe said. “We blocked very well.”

Kelsey Ripplinger added 30 digs for the Eagles. Offensively, Paxton Fleming dished out 27 assists, and Lexi Jorgensen had 11 kills.

“We prepared a little differently for (Virgin Valley) this time,” Roe said. “Having played the match prior (against Moapa), the girls were warm; they were relaxed. That made all the difference.”

In the opening match, the Eagles dropped the opening game and rallied for a 22-25, 25-9, 25-15, 25-20 win over the Pirates (8-15).

Taylor McKeever had 24 digs and Ali Rants 20 for Boulder City. Kayla Nix added 10 kills, and Dallas Frantz had eight blocks for the Eagles.