Preps: Cheyenne aces Bonanza in volleyball

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, April 14, 1998 | 10:07 a.m.

It's a do-or-die season for the senior-laden Cheyenne boys volleyball squad, and that's exactly the way the Desert Shields played Monday night against Bonanza.

Looking like a team on a mission, Cheyenne left nothing to chance, pounding the visiting Bengals 15-5, 15-6 in less than an hour.

"This team is more focused than any other team I've coached in the past," said Desert Shields coach Karen Brown, whose team improved to 6-1, 3-1 in the Sunset Division.

Cheyenne, which has nine seniors on its 10-player roster, took control of the match early in the first game, racing to a 6-1 lead behind five straight points on Chris Allen's serve.

Bonanza (4-4, 2-3) also had no answer for Desert Shields outside hitter Marlyn McNeal, who scorched the visitors from all angles for six kills in the opening game.

"Tonight we played real relaxed," said McNeal, a second-team all-Sunset Division selection as a junior last year. "When we play our best, I don't think anybody in Las Vegas can beat us."

The Bengals provided more competition in game two, rallying from a 7-3 deficit to pull within 8-6. David Halverson keyed the run with three quick kills.

But Cheyenne senior Ryan Christensen took over where McNeal left off, blasting down eight kills, including several that nearly decapitated Bonanza defenders.

Desert Shields senior setter Justin Graham -- the squad's captain -- also had a solid outing, racking up 15 assists.

"Passing is the key for us," Brown said. "We have a lot of guys who can hit, but we have to pass well to win."

Cheyenne's defense made life difficult for the Bengals, with 6-7 Brad Bywater, the 6-5 Graham and 6-8 Brian Jackson -- a varsity basketball player in his first season with the volleyball team -- clogging the middle for the hosts. Bywater finished with seven blocks.

Cheyenne, which placed fourth in the zone last season after capturing the title in 1996, will try to increase its Sunset Division lead when it hosts Bishop Gorman and Western later this week.