Volleyball: Provo at Timpview
Timpview's Ila Tu'ua (5) spikes the ball during a girls volleyball game Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Timpview High School. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Timpview's Shay Fano (25) and Taryn Andrews (11) block a spiked ball during a girls volleyball game Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Timpview High School. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Provo's Sila Soifua (20) spikes the ball during a girls volleyball game Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Timpview High School. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Timpview's Shay Fano (25) and Ila Tu'ua (5) block a spiked ball during a girls volleyball game Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Timpview High School. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
The Timpview Thunderbirds girls volleyball team swept the visiting Provo Bulldogs three sets to none (25-19, 25-6, 25-15) in a crosstown rivalry match between the schools on Thursday night.
It was Timpview’s season opener, and the second match of the season for Provo.
“They played well together, we’ve been practicing a lot on making sure that we serve well — this is obviously a serve-and-receive game and we did that pretty well tonight,” said Timpview head coach Kent Nitta. “We can’t complain.”
Timpview led the first two sets wire-to-wire and only trailed once in the final set.
Provo kept things tight in the first set and responded well after Timpview scored six of the first seven points.
“I thought we started off really strong and we kind of fell apart a little bit after that,” said Provo head coach Tiana Ili. “But it makes me excited that we can stick with and play up with these guys.”
The Bulldogs tied things at 10-10 and kept it close until Timpview scored eight of the final 11 points to take the first set.
The second set was all Thunderbirds.
Timpview scored 15 straight points to win the set 25-6. Sophomore setter Ila Tu’ua served during the run and had three aces.
Instead of conceding the final set, Provo started out strong and took its first lead of the game at 8-7.
Part of the Bulldog’s run came after libero Emma Mercer made a diving save behind the team’s bench to keep the rally alive.
“Whenever we’re done with a set, I’m done with that set,” Ili said. “We forget about it; we leave that energy over there, unless we’re doing well. Then we carry it over with us. We try to anyway. I told them to forget about that set and they came out and played harder.”
The set remained close until Timpview scored 11 of the final 13 points to win the set 25-15 and seal the match.
The Timpview student section stormed the court after match point to celebrate with the players.
Nitta added that opening the season with a win against a rival was important.
“We really wanted to win this one because it is a rivalry game for us,” he said. “I’m really excited about (the season).”
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs (0-2) are optimistic about the rest of the season.
“This makes me excited,” Ili said. “I know we got shutout tonight, but I’m excited because we saw the potential that we have.”
Provo’s next match will be at home against Highland while Timpview travels to Riverton.