| Megan Garvin (10) and Julia Potts (5) worked hard in the match at North Sanpete on Tuesday, but the Lady Dinos went down to defeat in three games. |
It was the big showdown everyone expected; first place in Region 8 North Sanpete verses second place Carbon.
But for Carbon fans the big showdown, became the big let down. Having rolled through the rest of their opponents in region play since last facing the Lady Hawks on Sept. 26, Carbon was ready for the Mt. Pleasant team and almost everyone was sure they could prevail. Instead the North Sanpete girls ripped Carbon in three games 25-15, 25-22 and 25-22.
Once again the slow start that has been a trademark of the Lady Dinos this year struck them in the first game, making their scoring output low. But they did come back in the other two and the contests were in doubt right up to the end.
The dream died as the Dinos went down in three games to the Hawks. Carbon just could not get going again in game one as the Hawks pulled away to take it 15-25.
The Dinos led in game two and three until the end of each. A few missed passes and a service error or two and North Sanpete pulled past Carbon in both games to edge out the win.
Coach Bean was not even able to talk on Tuesday night because he was suffering with a chest cold. Several of the squad also were under the weather and did not play their best game.
Despite the adversity, Bean knew his team had almost walked away with the upset if they had just been able to finish off the Hawks in game two and three.
“A serve here and a kill there and we would have been up 2-1 easily.” he mused. “We can’t overlook the Emery game on Monday, but we will be ready for state.” he added. “We are glad we have a week to get ready, we have a lot of practicing to do.”
The loss to North Sanpete puts the Dinos in second place in region eight play no matter what the outcome of their game with Emery.
This means they will be paired up against the number three seed from Region 11. At this time that looks to be Logan, sporting a 1-2 region record. The Lady Grizzlies are 1-9 on the season.
A win in the first round by Carbon will probably pit the Lady Dino’s against Snow. Snow has been ranked in the top five teams in 3A all season.
Bean feels like his team can go deep into the tournament if they bring their A game to the table.
Before they get ahead of themselves however, they want to take care of business with Emery.
That game has been moved to Monday night (Oct. 23) at Emery High beginning at 6:30.