The Silver State Volleyball Club's 17 and under gold team has clinched a top five finish at the United States Junior Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Silver State rolled into the quarterfinals on Tuesday by sweeping Cincinnati in three games in a round of 16 playoff match in the 17 and under division. Silver State finished third in its pool with a 3-3 record while Cincinnati finished 5-1 in its pool.
But Silver State put it together at the right time against Cincinnati.
"We've kind of snuck in," Silver State coach Steve George said about how far his team has advanced. "Something's been shining on us. We probably played our best match of the tournament."
Silver State will face Pikes Peak, Colo. in the quarterfinals today. With a win, Silver State would advance to the semifinals and clinch a top three performance and a medal. The Nevada Juniors of Las Vegas have also advanced to the quarterfinals which means for the first time at the Junior Olympics, two Nevada clubs have clinched top five finishes.
"They're probably playing the best in the tournament right now," said George about Pikes Peak. "We'll have to play our best."
Silver State will have to win three matches today to win the title.
"I think we're capable," George said. "It's just putting it all together. It's really, really an exciting opportunity."
George said his team hasn't played as well as it has the past two months.
"We're still not clicking on all cylinders," George said. "I think the girls have felt a lot of pressure."
Silver State has been led so far by Douglas High's Emily Haas. "Emily Haas has just been phenomenal all tournament," George said.
"She's just been dominant. There hasn't been a player in the gym who has been better."
Other members of the team are: Carson's Rachael DeRiemer, Shannon Devereaux and Alyssa Wilson; Douglas High's Brittany Addeo and Michele Paterson; Galena's Joanna Hixon; Fallon's Tristin Adams and Carly Sorensen; and North Tahoe's Teal Ericson.