It was a tough loss for the Camp Verde volleyball team on Tuesday, October. 9. as the Cowboys lost to rival Sedona in five sets.
With the loss, Camp Verde fell to 7-18 this season.
Despite the loss, Camp Verde coach Britney Armstrong was pleased with her team’s efforts against Sedona.
“On a scale of 10-10, they were a 10 tonight, I am super proud of their effort tonight,” Armstrong said. “Our words for character this week was execute and endure and they went out and did that tonight.”
The match started off hotly contested with multiple lead changes in the first set.
“Our girls look forward to playing Sedona and always come out well against them when the two teams play,” Armstrong said. “ Based off how they play tonight, I am excited to see how the girls perform moving forward.”
After matching wits for the first portion of the opening set, the Cowboys would pull away en route to a 25-16 win.
Sedona jumped out to an early lead in the next set and did not let up on Camp Verde.
Camp Verde could not dig itself out of an early hole and ended up dropping the second set 25-16.
In the third set, Camp Verde’s crowd came alive as the Cowboys girls hustled all over the court.
“The energy was on fire, the girls were getting so many balls and our bench was very supportive as well,” Armstrong said.
There were multiple lead changes in the third set and Sedona took a 23-21 lead before Camp Verde came back.
Both teams traded points before the Camp Verde pulled through to win the set 28-26.
“We typically struggle as a team to climb out of a hole and keep going but tonight was the best they have done,” Armstrong said. “Instead of getting into their own head, they poured into themselves positively and continued playing hard.”
Trailing two sets to one, Sedona jumped out to a 6-0 lead en route to a 25-15 win.
The Cowboys jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set and led Sedona 10-8 at one point.
Sedona would score four consecutive points to take a 12-10 lead over Camp Verde.
Camp Verde could not force one final comeback and dropped the set to Sedona 15-12.
Armstrong singled out outside hitter Rachel Stockseth for her performance against Sedona.
“Rachel had an incredible defensive game, so good that Sedona’s coach Brenna Barker commented on how scrappy she was,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said she will continue to pour into the team and remind the girls of how far they have come despite being a young team.
“A lot of these girls are sophomores and even our senior Rachel has only played two years of high school volleyball,” Armstrong said. “They have come a really long way, you can ask anybody who watched tonight and they would tell you how far Camp Verde has come.”
Camp Verde’s next home game is Tuesday, October. 16. as the Cowboys host North Pointe Prep.
“We still have work to do as a team but we are excited to continue improving,” Armstrong said.
The match begins at 6 p.m.
Senior night for the Cowboys is Tuesday, October. 23. when Camp Verde hosts Northland Prep Academy.
