MHS volleyball begins with scrimmage; team out to contend

MEEKER I The Meeker High School volleyball team began its season Saturday with a multiple-team scrimmage. Craig, Steamboat Springs and Rifle brought their varsity, junior varsity, and C teams to town for a full day of volleyball.
Meeker coach Christy Atwood said, “The scrimmage went well at all levels, with significant time on the floor for the teams. We are very excited about the potential we saw over the weekend.”
The Cowboys look to contend for the top of the league this year with the experience of their three senior leaders, Taylor Neilson, Piper Haney and Aly Ridings.
The team also has several returning varsity players, and great participation for the season. Twenty-eight girls are out for the teams, and two new coaches will join the force.
The junior varsity team will be coached by 2009 Meeker graduate and all-state player Janae (Kindall) Stanworth. Janae played college volleyball at Larimer County Community College, went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree and returned to Meeker this summer.
Keely Winger will take charge of the C Team. She is from Wyoming and offers a great deal to the program.
Atwood said, “Both coaches are incredible additions to our program, which allows us to change our philosophy about the game; we are a quicker, stronger and more fundamentally sound team.”
All three coaches had their teams playing hard in the scrimmage and look forward to another busy weekend of volleyball.
The varsity will travel to Glenwood Springs for a tournament that has always been known for its competition, and the teams get significant court time. Meeker will be in a pool with Rifle, Glenwood Springs and West Grand before beginning bracketed play.
The Junior Varsity and C teams will travel to Palisade for a tournament.
The first home match will be on Sept. 13, with homecoming scheduled for Oct. 11 against Paonia in a game that will count for the league standings.
Atwood said of the league this year, “Paonia and Vail Mountain will be tough, and we hope to contend for the top.”