Lady Bighorns off to hot start

Thomas Ranson/LVN Fallon senior Aisha Sharon goes up for the attack against Fernley in Wednesday’s 3A East match.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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The Lady Bighorns volleyball team scored the biggest win in program history Friday when it came from behind to
edge 2019 state semifinalist Smith Valley in five games.

Oasis Academy won 25-20, 18-25, 22-25, 25-17 and 16-14 at the city-county gym to improve to 4-0 on the season with two matches this week, including a showdown for first place in the 1A West. The Bighorns traveled to Sierra Sage Academy on Tuesday and head to Virginia City on Thursday to face the Muckers, who lost in last season’s state championship.

Oasis Academy defeated Sierra Lutheran on Wednesday, 16-25, 25-18, 25-11 and 25-17.

“Smith Valley is great team and they always have been. They have been one of our biggest competitors in the last four years,” senior Sadie O’Flaherty said. “For this senior season, the first time beating them in a challenging game meant a lot to us.”

This year’s team features three seniors who have been with the program since before Oasis Academy was NIAA sanctioned. Taryn Barrenchea, Sequoya Casey and O’Flaherty also competed on the basketball team and after seeing that season not happen because of the pandemic, it’s made this volleyball season count even more.

Thomas Ranson/LVN

Oasis Academy’s volleyball team celebrates after coming back from a 2-1 deficit to beat Smith Valley on Friday.

“We’re making the most out of what season we have with the seniors we have (the win) was big for us and shows us what we can do as a team when we play hard together. It’s very exciting,” Barrenchea said.

For newcomer Stacie Bogdanowicz, she’s been able to contribute immediately at the net and from the service line.

The sophomore middle and outside hitter’s serving helped keep Oasis Academy in the match on Friday and her
rally – and match – saving one-handed dig in the fifth help kept the Bighorns undefeated.

“It was nerve-racking,” she said of the serving. “My biggest focus was not to focus. I just can’t get in my own head.”
After her save, O’Flaherty served the match’s final three points for the victory.

“We’ve been playing together for the last two, three, four years,” O’Flaherty said of the team’s success. “It’s just that connection we have. We’re talking more than we have before. It’s all really paying off.”

Added Barrenchea: “Our attitude and support toward one another really builds us into a team.”

Fallon splits vs. Fernley, Spring Creek
The Greenwave notched its first win of the season on Wednesday, defeating cross-valley rival Fernley for the first time in four seasons.

Fallon swept Fernley 25-20, 25-16 and 25-17 at the Elmo Dericco Gymnasium. The Lady Wave, though, fell in five against Spring Creek on Saturday after winning the third and fourth sets to set up the final frame.

No statistics were available.

Fallon hosts Lowry on Friday at 6 p.m. before traveling to Elko on Saturday.

Thomas Ranson/LVN

Oasis Academy senior Taryn Barrenchea serves against Smith Valley on Friday.

Lady Bighorns off to hot start

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