Change is good, they say, and no more so than for the Box Elder High School volleyball team who swept two teams last week, Tooele (25-8, 25-21, 25-13), and Ogden (25-12, 25-15, 25-22).

According to coach Kristine Harding, the team had been “in a rut” offensively, running the same sets time and time again.

“We stressed to hit different sets,” she said, “They did a good job getting it to the middle and getting it to the right side.”

That resulted in 13 kills for middles Katie Vincent and Sommer Reeder against Ogden.

Vincent played a key role early against Ogden, which is usually not the case as she quickly gets subbed out. But solid serving from the Bees kept her in the game longer.

“She was able to get in a quick rhythm before she subbed out,” said Harding. That resulted in a co-block, solo block and two kills as the Bees worked their way to a 5-10 lead.

“Katie is a strong blocker, a strong offensive player,” said Harding, but against the Tigers she looked particularly good. “She had some good swings.”

Reeder, Emilie Beagley and Jane Anderson each had kills as the Bees went on a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 6-15.

The Tigers provided a lot of help to the Bees in the first game, regularly siding-out as Box Elder finished the game outscoring the Tigers 10-6.

Harding noted that the Tigers weren’t the strongest of opponents, however.

“We were hitting against one blocker,” she said.

But even so, the different offensive looks, quick sets and soft kills would have given fits to a lot of teams.

“Our middles were really connecting with our centers,” Harding said.

The Bees’ defense was also strong, with Anderson, Miranda Stokes and libero Lacey Farley combining for 25 digs. In the second set, Anderson slid on her knees, swinging wildly to save a kill, which the Bees converted for a point.

The Bees lost focus a bit in the third set, and for the first time in the game the Tigers had the lead at 5-4. Ogden went on an 8-4 run to stretch their lead, 13-8. A time out refocused the Bees and they methodically worked their way back into the set. A big block by Reeder got the Bees the lead back at 18-17, which they never relinquished.

On the same note, Tooele doesn’t appear to be the strongest of opponents, and has yet to record a win this year. In fact, the Buffaloes have only won one set, against Mountain Crest, earlier this year. But that doesn’t take away from the Bees’ chances as they get into their region schedule. Both Mountain Crest and Bonneville lost a lot of talent and experience from last year, while the Bees are playing a majority of returning starters.

“I’m nervous about Sky View more than any other team,” Harding said. The Bobcats have spent a lot of the preseason playing tournaments in Idaho, during which time they only won one game. Last Thursday, they beat Bonneville, 3-0, after losing to Alta, 3-1, the week before.

In four upcoming games, the Bees will face three region opponents: Logan, Sky View and Mountain Crest. The Bees split two games with Mountain Crest in pre-season tournaments.

“The next two weeks will tell us a lot about how good we are or how much work we have to do,” said Harding.

But whatever the case, she likes the improvement she’s seen in her team, and likes the chances it gives.

“If these girls play hard and continue to improve, we could be region champs,” she said.

The Bees played at Logan on Tuesday, (results not available by press time) and will travel to Preston, Idaho on Thursday. Next week, the Bees will have two home games against Sky View on Tuesday, October 6, and Mountain Crest on Thursday, October 8.

Stats vs. Ogden—Jessica Adams - 22 set assists; Miranda Stokes - 7 set assists, 2 aces, 6 digs; Jane Anderson - 11 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs; Stacee Burt - 3 kills, 2 assist blocks; Sommer Reeder - 6 kills, 2 block assists; Katie Vincent - 7 kills, 3 block assists; Janelle Beukers - 1 kill, 1 block assist; Emile Beagley: 4 kills, 2 block assists; Sophie Rex - 1 kill, 1 block assist; Lacey Farley - 2 aces, 13 digs