Lady Bucs find new ways to win

When the Kaycee High School volleyball team lost a close match to Upton, coach Kylie Richendifer said she planned to introduce more adversity to practice in order to challenge her players.

Adversity came without Richendifer’s help, though. 

In the past two weeks, the team has faced tough opponents from bigger schools, multiple players have missed practice due to sickness, and the team’s starting middle hitter, Laci Taylor, is out indefinitely after she injured her ankle. 

Richendifer said that just seven players were able to practice this week, so she asked former players to step in and help out.

“Practice planning was a little bit tricky,” Richendifer said.

Still, the team responded well.

On Friday, the Lady Bucs beat Big Horn in four sets, a team Kaycee had tied with when the two last played. 

In the first two sets, the Lady Bucs controlled the game, winning 25-19 and 25-15. In the third set, the team’s passing suddenly broke down, and the Lady Rams were able to score a few unanswered points. Big Horn won the third set 23-25. 

In the fourth set, the Lady Bucs returned to their usual form to win the game 25-20 and take the match.

With Taylor out, Richendifer moved Karcee Maya to the middle position and brought in Denise Ortega-Chavez, a sophomore, to play on the right side.

“Even though it was an adjustment, I think that the girls really did well,” Richendifer said. “I think this group in general is going to play well no matter where I put them.”

Richendifer said Bindi Hill had a standout game, scoring 14 kills and three aces. Hill and Sierra Kilts, the team’s setter, have a great connection, Richendifer said. Kilts had 23 assists, in addition to nine kills and 18 digs. Jackie Ramirez rounded out the team’s defense with 18 digs.

But it was Arlette Ortega-Chavez who consistently kept the Lady Bucs on offense during the game. She slowed the ball enough that the other players had the opportunity to make a play, Richendifer said.

“She was definitely our game changer against Big Horn,” she said. 

The team’s record moved to 15-3-2 after the victory.

Throughout the adversity the team has faced recently, the Lady Bucs have remained focused and driven, and the players have held each other accountable, Richendifer said. Normally, that has to come from the coaches, but that’s not the case this year, she said.

“I think that’s what makes great teams. It’s player driven rather than coach driven. And those are your best teams,” Richendifer said.

On Oct. 7, Kaycee will face Midwest. On Oct. 9, Kaycee will head to the Jamboree Invitational in Upton, where Kaycee will face other 1A teams.