Dugway beat West Ridge earlier in the week just for the right to compete in the 1A state volleyball championships at Utah Valley University Friday in Orem.

However, they ran into a couple tough teams and had to battle for every point. The Mustangs first paired up against Christian Heritage from Region 17. The Crusaders over-powered the Mustangs to earn a 3-0 sweep (25-19, 25-15 and 25-15).

In the consolation bracket, Dugway faced off against Monument Valley. The Mustangs won the first game then the Cougars reeled of three straight games to win 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-12 and 25-12).

Shelsea Wall and Summer Bloyer lead the Mustangs with 10 kills a piece while Rachel McCarty had her serving working very well for her as she served up six aces in the two games along with her six kills.

Christian Heritage 3 — Dugway 0

Christian Heritage jumped out to an early 8-4 lead in the first game but Dugway was able to battle back. Behind the serving of Wall who had three consecutive strong serves to tie up the game 8-8.

From there however, Christian Heritage reeled of a 13-4 run that left Dugway trailing 12-21. The Mustangs didn’t give in, as they chipped away at the lead with a pair of kills by Rachel McCarty and a service ace from Breanna Nichols to bring the game within 18-23. The Crusaders were able to earn two of the next three points however, to take the first game 25-19.

Just like in the first game, Christian Heritage jumped out to another lead, this time a quick 10-4 lead. Dugway did battle back with a kill each from Wall and Nichols and ace from Summer Bloyer to bring the Mustangs closer at 9-11.

A 9-2 run from the Crusaders to make the lead 20-11 caused trouble for the Mustang as Christian Heritage coasted to a 25-15 win in the second.

Needing only a win to close out the game, Christian Heritage started the third on a seven point run. Trailing but not out of the contest, Dugway fought back to construct a 8-2 run with the help of a pair of kills from Wall and a kill from Nichols to bring the Mustangs within 8-9.

The Crusaders didn’t quit either. Looking to close out the game, Christian Heritage closed out the game on a 12-4 run to take the match 25-19, 25-15, and 25-15.

“Overall I was pleased with the way we played,” said Dugway volleyball coach Brett Andrus. “Christian Heritage was a very talented team but I think we could of handled Monument Valley if we would of handled their serving better.”

Monument Valley 3 — Dugway 1

In the consolation match Dugway started out a lot better. In a back-and-forth first game, Monument Valley was the first to build a small run. They used a 10-3 run against Dugway to build a 19-12 lead near the end of the first game.

That didn’t stop Dugway from compiling one of their most impressive streaks of the season. Ten consecutive points was sparked by the powerful serve of McCarty and three strong kills from Lindsay Kimler gave Dugway a 24-21 lead, which they converted into a 25-22 game win when Wall nailed a kill off the arm of Monument Valley’s Sabina Leber.

“I think we out-played them on all of our long, played-out points but their serving hurt us,” said Andrus.

Monument Valley came roaring back with a run of six consecutive points to give the Cougars an 18-8 lead in the second game. Trailing once again, Dugway found themselves forging a late rally with eight consecutive points and two service aces from Bloyer to cut the Monument Valley lead to 21-18. This time the Dugway rally came up just short as the Cougars held on to win 25-19.

After winning the third game 25-12, Monument Valley found themselves just one game away from advancing into the next round of state. Facing elimination, Dugway started out on a 3-2 lead to open the fourth behind the net play of McCarty.

Monument Valley proved too much for the Mustangs as they used seven and five point runs in the fourth game to close out the match by the score of 22-25, 25-19, 25-12 and 25-12.

Overall coach Andrus believes his young team accomplished the majority of the goals they set before the season began. “The younger five players received the experience of playing at the state tournament and will carry that experience into next year,” said Andrus. “The only goal we didn’t accomplish was the Region 18 title, but we will get that next year.”

Although Dugway had a young team, they did lose one senior who was a solid contributor. “Shelsea (Wall) really helped the younger players with the game,” said Andrus. “I really appreciate all she did for her younger teammates.”

Jake Gordon: jgordon@tooeletranscript.com