Led by head coach Teresa Mower, the Carbon Lady Dinos put together a fantastic run to end the season with a fifth-place finish at the 3A State Championship Tournament this past October.
Closing out the regular season with three consecutive region victories, the Carbon Lady Dinos entered the 3A State Tournament as the No. 7 seed in the first year of the RPI format. After sneaking past Grantsville in the second round, Carbon’s championship hopes came to an end with a straight set loss to the 3A runners up in Morgan.
Despite the loss in the quarterfinals, Carbon responded with back-to-back wins as they topped No. 6 South Summit and No. 5 Grand, each in four sets, to earn fifth-place overall. The season ending win streak gives Carbon plenty to build off of going into the 2020 season.
Below is a complete recap of each throughout the season, plus a look at the team’s individual stats:
August 20- Altamont- Win 3-0:
The Carbon Lady Dinos marched past Altamont in a straight set victory to open the 2019 volleyball season at home.
Entering year two under head coach Teresa Mower, the Lady Dinos earned comfortable victories in the first two sets of the night, 25-20, 25-20. Entering the third set of the night Carbon left little doubt by dominating 25-5 to close out the evening.
The season opener is the first of two games for Carbon this week. Next the team will travel on the road to face 3A Juab in Nephi.
Following the road tilt Carbon will travel to St. George for the Dixie Flyer Pre-Season Tournament on Aug. 30 and 31.
August 22- Juab- Win 3-0:
The lady Dinos volleyball team took to the road, as they traveled to Nephi to take on the Juab Wasps. After all was said and done Carbon came home with another straight set victory.
The first set saw the Dinos victorious 25-13. The second and third sets were a little more contested with Carbon winning 25-21 and 25-22.
After their victory against the Wasps the Dinos will be off until August 30 when they will head to St. George for the Dixie Flyer Tournament. Last year in three games they came away with a record of 2-1 at the event.
August 30- Pine View- Win 2-0- Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
In the first game of the tournament Carbon drew Pine View, a 4A school from St. George. The Lady Dinos picked up the straight set victory. Senior Cora Lamborn led the team with six kills, while junior Makenna Blanc added eight digs as well as a team high 15 assists. Carbon ended this match with a 93.9 serving percentage.
August 30- Providence Hall- Win 2-0- Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
The Dinos went to 2-0 after defeating the Providence Hall Patriots in straight sets. Senior Abbie Saccomanno added 10 digs against the Patriots. Blanc gave Carbon 13 assists and senior Diana Morley chipped in with three kills in a game that saw the teams serving percentage drop to 77.6%.
August 30- Grantsville- Win 2-0- Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
In the third game Carbon played the Cowboys from Grantsville, a 3A team from Region 13, coming away with the straight set win. Once again Blanc would lead the team in assists with 21. Jones would come up with nine digs and Lamborn would add seven kills.
August 30- Cedar- Win 2-1- Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
Carbon ended day one with it’s fourth win. Lamborn led once again with six kills while junior Katie Jones had 15 digs and Blanc offered up 12 assists.
August 31- Emery- Win 2-0 Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
In their first action on day two the Dinos would face a familiar foe in the Spartans. Junior Emma Chritensen would lead the way with nine kills, Blanc would have 14 assists and Jones would go for 12 digs as Carbon would get a win against Emery.
August 31- Maple Mountain- Loss 2-1 Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
The Dinos would drop the first match of the weekend to the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles, a 5A team from Spanish Fork. They would take them to three sets but in the end the Golden Eagles would get the best of the Dinos. Christensen and Blanc would lead the team with 13 digs, each while Blanc had 13 assists and Lamborn would add eight kills.
August 31- Richfield- Loss 2-0- Dixie Fly High Volleyball Tournament:
In the final match of the tournament the Dinos would face another region foe in the Richfield Wildcats. Richfield would beat the Dinos in straight sets but the Dinos would have strong showing from senior Gracie Salas with three kills and Blanc who once again would lead the team in digs (11) and assists (8).
September 10- South Sevier- Loss 3-2:
The Carbon Dino volleyball team opened region play at home against the South Sevier Rams (5-6, 1-1 in region), with the Dinos coming up just short 3-2.
The back and forth match was hotly contested 23-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-20 and 13-15. For the Dinos this is their third loss in a row dating back to the end of August when they dropped the last two matches of the Dixie High Fly Tournament that took place in St. George.
Carbon was led on the court junior Emma Christensen with 18 kills. Senior Gracie Salas had 28 digs and Makenna Blanc came up with 38 assists.
September 12- Emery- Win 3-1:
The Spartan Center and the Emery Spartan volleyball team welcomed the Carbon Dinos. After four hard fought sets the Dinos headed back to Price with a 3-1 victory.
The first set gave us an idea of what to expect the rest of the way. It was back and forth for the whole match as Carbon won the first set 25-21.
The second set had Emery on the offensive outscoring the Dinos 25-17. The final two sets would go to the Dinos however, 25-23, 25-21.
September 19- Richfield- Loss 3-1:
The Lady Dinos have had their share of success this season carrying them to an 8-3 overall record and 1-1 in region. When the initial RPI rankings came out, Carbon was ranked at #7 in state 3A. In fact the region losses they’ve suffered have been at home. They were looking to stop that trend when Richfield came to Price on but came up short 3-1.
Richfield (15-2 overall and 4-1 in region) was ranked the #2 team in the RPI standings and had won five of their last six games, their last victory was over Emery by a score of 3-2.
Richfield would win the first two set 25-19 and 25-20 and it looked as though they may sweep Carbon in straight sets, but the Dinos would come back in the third to win 25-18. The Wildcats would take the fourth set 25-22.
September 24- Grand- Loss 3-0:
After starting the season 7-0 the Carbon Lady Dino volleyball team has struggled lately, losing five of their last six. The Dinos (8-5 overall, 1-3 in region and #7 RPI) still have six matches and also a tournament coming up before the end of the season on October 23.
The Dinos had some great individual performances despite loss to Grand (11-4 overall, 3-2 in region and #5 RPI)in straight sets 25-16, 25-20 and 25-23.
Junior Makenna Blanc led Carbon once again in assists with 23. Junior Emma Christensen would add 13 kills and Senior Gracie Salas had 12 digs in the contest.
September 26- San Juan- Loss 3-2:
The Lady Dinos made the long road trip to Blanding to take on the San Juan Broncos (16-2 overall, 5-0 in region and #1 RPI). Although it was a hard fought contest Carbon would fall 3-2.
Starting the season strong, the Dinos began by winning their first seven matches, Carbon (8-6, 1-4 and #8 RPI) have now lost six of their last seven to land them in fifth place in Region 12.
Carbon was very competitive in all sets winning the first 25-19. They would drop the next two 25-22 and 25-20 and then won the fourth 25-22. San Juan would finally put them away in the fifth and final set 15-7.
Heading into the final month of the regular season, Region 12 is going to be a gauntlet to get through with five teams in the RPI top ten. Even though all teams in 3A will play in the playoffs the top seeds will get a bye week in the first round.
Carbon has had some great individual performances this season. Junior Emma Christensen leads the team with 94 kills while junior Makenna Blanc has served up 18 aces, Blanc also leads the team with an amazing 261 assists. And junior Katie Jones has led the way with 142 digs.
October 1- San Juan- Loss 3-0:
The Lady Dinos volleyball team were back on their home floor welcoming in the San Juan Broncos (17-2 overall, 6-0 in region and RPI #1). And despite their best efforts Carbon fell in straight sets.
Carbon would lose the first set by a score of 25-19. The Broncos would go on to win the final two sets 25-15 and 25-23.
The Dinos were led by Senior Cora Lamborn with 14 kills in the match. Junior Katie Jones had 13 digs, senior Graice Salas and junior Emma Christensen would add 11 digs each while junior Makenna Blanc added 24 assists.
Carbon has lost their last four matches including back to back losses to San Juan. With only one more match set for this week against Emery and next week with South Sevier, the Dinos are scheduled to be in Richfield for a tournament next weekend October 11-12.
October 3- Emery- Win 3-0:
Heading into this match with Emery, Carbon had lost it’s last four matches. Ironically the last match they had won was the September 12 contest with Emery that they claimed 3-1. So as they welcomed the Spartans to Price they were hungry for a win, and they got it in straight sets 25-19, 25-18 and 25-21.
While all three sets were very competitive Carbon would not be denied in what was a team effort. Diana Morley lead the way with 12 kills, Emma Christensen would have 11 and Cora Lamborn 10. Gracie Salas and Christensen also added 18 digs each, Katie Jones logged 13.
October 8- South Sevier- Loss 3-1:
After the straight set victory last week at home against the Emery Spartans, the Carbon Lady Dino volleyball squad was looking to add another win to the stat line as they traveled to Monroe to take on the South Sevier Rams. The Rams had something else in mind taking the match from the Dinos in four sets.
The Dinos have now lost five of their last seven matches. They currently sit at #8 in the most recent RPI, these rankings will be used at the end of the regular season for playoff seeding in the 3A State Championship Tournament coming up on October 26.
The Dinos have not been without bright spots this season as once again junior Makenna Blanc had 44 assists in this one bringing her season total to 407. Senior Gracie Salas led the Dinos with 14 kills and another junior Katie jones had 25 digs. The Dinos would drop the first set 25-12 but would come back to win the second set 25-13, then it was all South Sevier, they would take the final two sets 25-22 and 25-23.
October 11-Emery- Win: 2-1 – Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
In the first match Carbon would go on to defeat Emery 25-14, 22-25 and 16-14. Junior Katie Jones would register 20 digs in the victory while junior Makenna Blanc would add 18 assists and junior Emma Christensen had six kills.
October 11- Panguitch- Loss 2-0- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
Carbon’s first loss would come at the hands of a very good Panuitch team who has a 17-4 record . Senior Abbie Saccomanno collected nine digs in this one. Makenna Blanc would have five assists and Emma Christensen had five kills.
October-11 North Summit- Loss 2-1- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
Makenna Blanc would lead the team in digs with 12 and assists with 24, Emma Christensen would have 20 kills in the match but it would not be enough and Carbon would end the first day with a 1-2 record.
October 12- Enterprise- Win 2-0- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
Carbon would come out in the first match of the day against Enterprise and take care of them in straight sets. Senior Abbie Sacomanno and junior Katie Jones would each gather 11 digs while Makenna Blanc would register 19 assists and Emma Christensen would add in eight kills.
October 12- North Sevier- Win 2-0- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
Katie Jones, Makenna Blanc and Abbie Saccomanno would lead the team with seven digs each as the Dinos would defeat the North Sevier Wolves. Blanc would add 22 assists and senior Cora Lamborn would have nine kills.
October 12- Millard- Win 2-0- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
Through two matches on Saturday Carbon had not dropped a set, and that would not change in their match with Millard. The Dinos would once again win in straight sets. Katie Jones led the team with 15 digs, Makenna Blanc would chip in 25 assits and Emma Christensen added 10 kills.
October 12- Milford- Win 2-0- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
The Dinos would keep momentum on their side as they would go on to take care of Milford. Katie Jones and Makenna Blanc would lead the team in digs with nine each. Blanc would have 21 assists and Emma Christensen would add 12 kills.
October 12- Monticello- Win 2-1- Sevier Valley Center Tournament:
In the final match of the weekend Carbon would surrender it’s first set of the day. Katie Jones would collect 20 digs in the match while Makenna Blanc would add 23 assists and Cora Lamborn would give the Dinos 11 kills. Carbon would win this match 19-25, 25-13 and 15-11.
October 16- Grand- Win 3-0:
The Carbon Dinos volleyball team welcomed the Red Devils from Grand County High School to Price, sending them home on the short end of a 3-0 loss.
The Dinos were playing their last home game of the regular season, and on Senior Night, the Dinos would dispatch Grand in straight sets 25-22, 25-23 and 25-20.
Carbon was led by junior Katie Jones with 21 digs in the match, junior Makenna Blanc registered 22 assists and senior Diana Morley had 10 kills.
The Dinos now sit at 16-10 overall and 3-6 in a difficult Region 12. San Juan who is sitting atop the standings has not lost a conference game and has an impressive 24-4 overall record. With one match left this season, Carbon will have to wait for the final RPI results to be released before they will know their playoff fate. The 3A State Championship Tournament will start on October 26.
October 23- Richfield- Win 3-1:
The Carbon Dino Volleyball team traveled to Richfield for the final game of the regular season, and in four sets came home with a hard fought victory over the #2 ranked team in Region 12.
The Dinos came out quick and took the first set 25-20. Richfield would come back to take the second set 25-17. The third and fourth sets would belong to Carbon however, taking both 26-24 and 25-20 to earn their fourth region win of the season.
Carbon would be led in the stat column by the usual suspects. Junior Emma Christensen would add nine more kills bringing her total to a team leading 208. Junior Katie Jones would collect 17 digs which puts her at 328 which is also the team high. And another junior Makenna Blanc registered 29 assists, to lead the team with 586 for the year.
The Dinos now sit at 17-10 overall and 4-6 in Region 12. They are riding high on a seven game win streak dating back to October 12.
October 29- Grantsville- Win 3-2:
The Carbon Dino Volleyball squad took part in the 3A State Championship Tournament at Utah Valley University.
The Dinos entered the tournament 17-10 overall and 4-6 in Region 12 play which was enough to give them the #7 seed in the 3A classification.
In their first match of the day they would face Grantsville (12-17 and 5-5) the #10 seed from Region 13. They would go to five sets in a nail biter that would go back and forth but in the end the Dinos would win 25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 18-25 and 15-8 finishing off Grantsville 3-2.
October 29- Morgan- Loss 3-2:
The Carbon Dino Volleyball squad took part in the 3A State Championship Tournament at Utah Valley University.
The Dinos entered the tournament 17-10 overall and 4-6 in Region 12 play which was enough to give them the #7 seed in the 3A classification.
In the next contest they would face Morgan (24-5 and 10-0) the #2 seed. Carbon was beaten in straight sets 25-13, 25-19 and 25-21. This loss dropped Carbon into the single loss bracket and now the best that they can finish is fifth place.
October 30- South Summit- Win 3-1:
The Carbon Lady Dinos Volleyball Squad competed in day two of the 3A State Championship Tournament. Going 2-0 in both matches was enough to give the Dinos a fifth place finish in the 3A Classification.
On the second day the Dinos would open up play against the South Summit Wildcats. The Wildcats entered at 19-13 overall and 8-2 in region play and an overall #6 seed. Carbon would come out in the first two sets ready to play winning both 25-21 and 25-18. The third set would belong to South Summit 25-22 and Carbon would then take the fourth set and put them away 25-14.
October 30- Grand- Win 3-1:
Carbon wouldn’t have long to rest as they then turned right around and had to take on Grand (20-12 and 5-5) as the # 5 seed. Carbon knows Grand very well as they are both from Region 12 and have faced each other twice already in the regular season. Back on September 24 the Red Devils would beat Carbon 3-0. On October 16 in Price on Senior night Carbon would return the favor winning by the same margin.
Carbon would take the first set 25-17, Grand would come right back and take the second set 25-21. The Dinos would take the final two sets 25-20 and 20-16 putting Grand away and securing fifth place in the 3A State Championship Tournament.
Leaders in top statistical categories:
Kills
|
Number |
Name |
Kills |
|
8 |
Emma Christensen |
255 |
|
11 |
Cora Lamborn |
219 |
|
2 |
Diana Morley |
146 |
|
34 |
Gracie Salas |
146 |
|
33 |
Sophie Noyes |
120 |
Blocks
|
Number |
Name |
Blocks |
|
2 |
Diana Morley |
106* |
|
33 |
Sophie Noyes |
86 |
|
34 |
Gracie Salas |
68 |
|
30 |
Makenna Blanc |
62 |
|
11 |
Cora Lamborn |
53 |
*= Top 5 in State
Digs
|
Number |
Name |
Digs |
|
22 |
Katie Jones |
412 |
|
30 |
Makenna Blanc |
320 |
|
8 |
Emma Christensen |
302 |
|
34 |
Gracie Salas |
283 |
|
14 |
Abbie Saccomanno |
274 |
Service Aces
|
Number |
Name |
Aces |
|
30 |
Makenna Blanc |
37 |
|
22 |
Katie Jones |
35 |
|
33 |
Sophie Noyes |
31 |
|
34 |
Gracie Salas |
31 |
|
14 |
Abbie Saccomanno |
23 |
Assists
|
Number |
Name |
Assists |
|
30 |
Makenna Blanc |
743 |
|
34 |
Gracie Salas |
52 |
|
22 |
Katie Jones |
18 |
|
2 |
Diana Morley |
13 |
|
8 |
Emma Christensen |
7 |