Meeker girls split with league foes last week

MEEKER I For a second week in a row, the Meeker High School varsity volleyball team split matches, played against league opponents. Meeker lost to the West Grand Mustangs in Kremmling last Friday before defeating the Eagles in Paonia the following day.
Meeker defeated Plateau Valley at home and lost to the Soroco Rams in Oak Creek the previous week.
“Both were league matches and it was their homecoming in both places,” coach Christy Atwood said of her team’s most recent matches. The Lady Cowboys currently have a 4-8 record and are 2-4 in the Western Slope League standings.
“We played as well in West Grand as we did in Paonia, we just let ourselves make a few more mistakes in crucial areas,” Atwood said.
Meeker started out well against the Mustangs with a 25-23 win before losing 25-16 and 25-19 in the following two games. West Grand had to score 27 points to win by two in the fourth and final game of the match.
“They would make a run and we didn’t capitalize on our hits or serves,” Atwood said. “Serving was our nemesis in West Grand, we didn’t serve well as a team.”
Against Paonia, Meeker lost the first game 25-16 then won the next three; 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23.
“My team said it best, when they said it was their best team effort so far,” Atwood said when meeting after the match against the Eagles.
Atwood agreed and acknowledged all her players, including Elissa McLaughlin.
“Elissa is one of the best passers I’ve ever had in my program and she gets better each game,” Atwood said of the senior. “Nothing goes down in her alley.”
Atwood said Kathryn Doll had an “incredible” weekend and played really well against Paonia, as did her Atwood’s daughter Bailey.
Atwood said her hitters/blockers; Rebecca de Vergie, Adrienne Wix, Katie Morgan, Laura Glass, Aly Ridings and Jordan Brown combined for “30 kills and 40 total blocks.”
“Our role players, Kaysyn (Chintala) and Shae (Barrow), played well and made smart setting decisions,” Atwood said. “And defensive specialists Sage (Chapin) and Denee (Chintala) came off the bench strong.
“We executed our strategy and played great defense against a really strong and scrappy Paonia team and they were all excited, which is what we needed,” Atwood said.
The Lady Cowboys will look for a repeat performance as they host the Eagles this Friday.
“We anticipate them coming back with a vengeance and we’ll have our hands full,” Atwood said of the upcoming home match.
Meeker will travel to Walden on Saturday to play the North Park Wildcats and Atwood expects a competitive match.