Cowboy volleyball to host regionals

The Heart of the Rockies Tournament was a good change up for Cowboy volleyball this past weekend.

“We had a very good weekend, and ended 3-1 on the weekend losing to Centauri, who is seventh in the 3A RPI,” commented head coach Greg Cravens.

Emma Luce, Ainsley Selle and Reese Clatterbaugh all broke into double digit kills.

“Emma played awesome,” said Cravens. “Ainsley and Reese both played very well and I was really impressed with how well the team played against Buena Vista.”

“We were able to play teams with a fast set offense, which is what we will be seeing at state,” commented Luce. “The past few weeks in our league we have been playing teams with a slower offense, so it was good for us to play these teams and get ready.”

As a team the Cowboys had 24 kills and hit .281 for the match, but only hit a .160 against Centauri, which contributed to the loss.

“We didn’t serve as well as we needed against Centauri, 86% with only two aces with six errors” said Cravens. “On our plus/minus chart for the weekend, Emma was +35, Ainsley +15 and Reese was +11. Nora finished +10.”

Each game went two sets; Buena vista scores 25-10, 25-14, Gunnison 25-11, 25-14, Centauri 20-25, 21-25, and Middle Park 25-17, 25-18.

The Cowboys will host regionals Friday beginning at 2 p.m. They will take on Heritage Christian first, and that is the only scheduled game, each subsequent game after that will begin warmups as soon as the previous is finished. The second game will be Heritage Christian against Mancos, and in the third game Meeker will play Mancos. Only one team will leave and continue their road to a state championship.

“Both of these teams have a slower offense,” said Luce.

“Heritage Christian is very readable,” said senior Grace Roberts, “I think we will do well.”

“Mancos sets high, which gives us a lot of time to get ready and it is easier to block,” commented senior Ariel Gallegos.

By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times