by Bobby Abplanalp
Wyoming Sports.org
The Wyoming Cowgirls sent senior libero Jessica Kagarise out on top in impressive fashion with a straight-set win over the UNLV Lady Rebels at the UniWyo Sports Complex Thursday night to conclude their season.
The 25-14, 25-23 and 27-25 win snaps a seven-match losing skid to the Lady Rebels and avenges a heartbreaking five-set loss back on Sept. 22, in Las Vegas.
The night also marked the end of an era for Kagarise, the lone senior on the team had a game high 13 digs and set the school single season record for digs in the process finishing with 435 on the year.
More than anything, the coaches and players wanted to get the win for the native of Monument, Colo.
“She’s battled all year with us,” UW head coach Carrie Yerty said. “To accomplish the record for single season digs and to go out with a win with this young team really shows that she stayed focused all the way throughout her career.”
Wyoming (13-18 overall, 3-13 Mountain West Conference), came out of the gate fired up and stormed to an 11-point first-set win.
UNLV (8-16 overall, 5-10 MWC), came back in the next two sets and made them interesting. The Cowgirls won a close second set and then trailed for much of the third set before taking a 23-20 lead late. The Lady Rebels battled back to tie things up at 24 all, and saw both squads jockey for the match point. With the Cowgirls up one the final attempt by UNLV sailed out-of-bounds and Wyoming hung on for a wild 27-25 win to clinch the match.
“My experience here has been awesome,” Kagarise said. “It was a really great way to finish it winning in three (sets) against UNLV. That’s a team we wanted to really beat this year. It feels really good.”
Jodi Purdy and Lauren Whitney had 13 and 11 kills with eight digs apiece respectively for the Cowgirls, while Cursty Jackson led the Lady Rebels recording 13 kills and eight digs.
“It’s a great stepping stone and a building block to continue to grow from for next season,” Yerty said. “We’ve had a lot of five-game matches and we’ve been up two games a lot this year and tonight it really came together and I’m really proud of the girls.”
“These girls have come so far since the beginning of the season,” Kagarise said. “They’re just going to keep growing, keep learning and keep getting better. I think our team is so strong already and with only one player leaving they’re going to be awesome next year.”
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