ROUNDUP: Silverado girls in top form in Las Vegas Invitational

The Silverado girls volleyball team lost only one match in Southeast League play last season on the way to a Class 4A Sunrise Region title and state semifinal berth.

But Taylor Richard is convinced the Skyhawks can be even better this season.

“We have much more talent than last year,” said Richard, a senior outside hitter. “I think it’s all-around talent rather than a few people doing things by themselves.”

If the Las Vegas Invitational was any indication, Richard could be right.

Of the 26 teams from Southern Nevada in the 40-team tournament, only Silverado reached the semifinals of the top bracket Saturday. That’s where the Skyhawks were eliminated, 2-1 by Damonte Ranch at Las Vegas High.

“I’m just glad that we played well today,” Silverado coach Jennifer Boeddeker said. “I think the girls really pushed hard at crucial points, and we had some moments that we’ll certainly work on, but I’m proud with the effort that they put out.”

Silverado nearly advanced to the finals but was unable to capitalize on leads of 15-14 and 18-17 in the decisive third game against Damonte Ranch, which won 18-25, 25-20, 23-21.

Richard had 26 digs and 16 kills to lead Silverado. Amy Wyatt had 33 digs, Kayla Agae contributed 27 digs and eight kills, and Marilyn Agae added 28 assists for the Skyhawks.

After winning its pool, Silverado advanced to the semifinals Saturday with a 25-15, 25-22 win over Westlake (Calif.) and a 23-25, 25-22, 15-12 quarterfinal win over Green Valley.

Richard said it could benefit the Skyhawks to have faced pressurized moments in consecutive matches early in the season.

“We see how we all work under pressure and how one person works differently than another,” she said.

Richard had 24 digs and eight kills against Green Valley. Marilyn Agae had 24 assists, Kayla Agae 19 digs and six kills, Wyatt 30 digs and Kaitlyn Keathley 10 blocks and 10 kills.

Siga Appelgate led the Gators in kills with 15. Emma Johnson added 10 kills and Jena Chavez 28 assists.

In other matches in the Las Vegas Invitational:

Faith Lutheran 2, Bonanza 0 — Meagan Hauser had six kills as the Crusaders breezed to a 25-10, 25-9 win over the Bengals.

Kelsey McCourt added five digs and 10 assists and Hayley Washinsky five kills for Faith Lutheran.

Faith Lutheran 2, Lake Mead 0 — Kelsey McCourt’s 15 assists helped the Crusaders to a 27-26, 25-9 win over Lake Mead.
Hauser and Washinsky each added six kills for Faith Lutheran. Kayla McCourt had nine digs.

Jocelyn Cox had nine assists and three digs for the Eagles. Ashley Newton added six kills and five digs and Amanda Wellman eight digs and four kills.

Faith Lutheran 2, Reed 0 — Kelsey McCourt dished out 14 assists in the Crusaders’ 25-16, 25-17 victory over the Raiders.

Alex Treadwell added seven kills and Hauser six.

Marina (Calif.) 2, Faith Lutheran 1 — Marina rallied for a 24-26, 25-17, 20-18 win in a quarterfinal match.

Kelsey McCourt paced the Crusaders with 22 assists. Washinsky added 12 kills and three aces. Kayla McCourt had nine digs and Treadwell six kills.

Lake Mead 2, Moapa Valley 0 — Newton had nine kills and 10 digs to lead the Eagles to a 25-12, 25-21 win over the Pirates.

Wellman added 11 digs and five kills. Cox had 15 assists.

Lake Mead 2, Boulder City 0 — Sam Herman had seven digs and four kills to lift Lake Mead to a 25-14, 27-26 win over Boulder City.

Netwon added eight kills, five digs and three blocks. Wellman had six kills and Heather Hillenbrand four.

Palo Verde 2, Lake Mead 1 — Palo Verde outlasted the Eagles, 26-24, 18-25, 15-13.

Cox had 19 assists and five digs to lead Lake Mead. Wellman chipped in 16 digs and eight kills, and Newton added 10 kills and nine digs.