Viking spikers edge past Pioneers

The Pleasant Grove volleyball team has some excellent outside hitters in junior Danica Mendivil and Brooke McAlister. They proved it once again Thursday night at Lehi, having nearly identical 15-kill, nine-dig performances. But the play of the match came in Game 1 with the Pioneers leading 23-22. A hard-hit ball forced the Viking backline to stab, resulting in a scramble. Mendivil lunged to her right and stuck out a fist. Instead of resulting in a free ball, she managed to knock it directly -- a nearly perfect set -- to where McAlister was waiting to put down the kill. "That was planned," Mendivil said with mock sincerity. "Everything is always planned." It took a few more points but Pleasant Grove won the first game, then finished off the sweep by pulling away in the final two games to get the victory, 29-27, 25-16, 25-18.... [read full story]