Great season for eighth graders

The 2020 Sundance Bulldog eighth grade volleyball season began its season with the pandemic threatening to stall the season at any time. Due to COVID restrictions, the team’s schedule was watered down and temperature taking and mask wearing became the new norm.

Initially it all took some getting used to, but the girls persevered and handled the restrictions like champs, as everyone wanted to be able to just have a season.

The eighth grade team finished out the regular season with a of 10-3 record and a second place conference finish and second place in the district tournament. To end the season, the normal tournament had to be scrapped and in its place was a tourney that allowed only the top four teams to participate in a single elimination style tournament.

For the first game, the Lady Bulldogs had to meet up with the Upton Lady Bobcats, a team that they had fought with and come out on top with, in two out of three times battling during the season. The Lady Bulldogs dominated, winning with scores of 25-18 and 25-13.

They then moved on to meet the undefeated Wright Panthers. In the first set Sundance won 25-21, but the Panthers came back and took the second game 25-16 and the third set 15-7.

This year’s players included eighth graders Shannon Gilmartin, Avery Marchant, Haylee Steeves, Savanah Peterson, Abi Eshedor, Lily Lindholm, Addison Simmons, Gracie Davis and seventh grader Jaylin Mills.

This year’s team had a serving percentage in the high 80s, which greatly contributed to their success for the season. Shannon Gilmartin led the way with the highest serving percentage and the most ace serves. She also had a very successful season as outside hitter and will be fun to watch next year.

Along with Shannon, teammate Jaylin Mills also had a great year at outside hitting as well as setting. Jaylin also became our most balanced player and will luckily be back next year to be a leader on the eighth grade squad along with her talented seventh grade classmates. Middle hitters were Addison and Avery and they both were very effective playing the net and contributing blocks and scoring kills for the team.

Lily had a great year passing the ball and had to play several positions throughout the year with great success. Haylee Steeves had a great year at libero and led the team in digs.

Savanah Peterson played a great role hitting leftside and contributed many kills as well as set assists from her backup setter spot and was probably the most improved player over the course of the season. Abi Eschedor had a great year as setter, having to switch on and off from a 6-2 to a 5-1 to a 6-2 and back again to a 5-1 due to teammate injuries and other circumstances.

She did an amazing job staying level headed and provided many set assists to her hitters throughout the year. Gracie Davis was our lone sub this year, and she improved tremendously and had immeasurable patience waiting for her chances to go in and help the team.