Your future, our focus
Cross pleased with effort despite Tuesday's outcome
By DAVID DICKEY
Powell Tribune Sports Editor
The Northwest College Lady Trappers dropped a roadmatch to high-powered Central Wyoming College Tuesday night in Riverton. And though her team lost, NWC head coach Jesseca Cross said a major step was taken by the Lady Trappers, who made a complete turnaround in the match after dropping the first two games 30- 20 and 30-18.
"We got destroyed in our first two games," Cross said. "After that second game, I told the girls they were better than what they were showing on the court."
However, Cross' words didn't start to sink in until the Lady Trappers were behind 7-1 in the third game. But the tide turned, and NWC came storming back to take a dramatic 35-33 win to force a fourth game.
In what proved to be the final set, NWC fell 31-29, but it wasn't due to a lack of determination by the Lady Trappers, according to Cross.
"The girls played so much better in the third and fourth games," Cross said. "Even though we lost, we were all excited about what had taken place. It almost felt like we won the region tournament. There was so much positive energy in the locker room, and I think the entire team has bought into believing that we can win the region tournament in November.
"The girls started playing with a lot of confidence, and they were battling for each other. It was a tough match to lose, but we still felt good after it was over."
Cross said sophomore Charcie Peabody was among the top performers during the match. She finished with 30 digs and 37 received serves.
"Charcie was playing out of this world," Cross said. "She was all over the floor. It was just
a great performance for her."
The Lady Trappers (9-25, 2-8) will close the regular season schedule this week with road matches against Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming College. NWC faces LCCC Friday at 7 p.m. in Cheyenne and EWC in Torrington Saturday at 2 p.m.
Cross said both matches will be crucial to the Lady Trappers' placement in the Region IX West Tournament. If NWC wins both matches, Cross said her squad will likely be seeded fifth in that event.
"I've believed in this team from the start," Cross said. "It's all coming together, and if they set their minds to it, they can do anything. None of the top teams are paying attention to us right now. Western, Casper, Sheridan and Central are all battling for the top spot in the region, and none of those teams are looking at us. With the way our girls are starting to believe in themselves, I think that's going to work in our favor."
Cross believes the top teams in the region have peaked, and that, she said, is a good sign for the Lady Trappers, who still have room to get better as the season winds down.
"We just have to practice the same way we've been playing," Cross said. "I think everybody on the team now believes we can win the region. We just have to take care of a few little things that will make us better. If we do that, we've got a good shot at it."