The Meeker Cowboy volleyball program has solidified itself as a historic top team in the state earning its sixth trip to state in seven years. Out of those six thrips, four times they have made it to the final four.
This year’s 2A regionals were full of upsets. Four regionals were played Friday and each of them resulted in an upset with the higher-ranked host team losing. Saturday there were two more upsets including the number three team being bumped by the 33rd seed.
The Cowboys come off of a tough two weeks on-the-road series where they went 1-4.
“I couldn’t be prouder of a group of girls,” commented head coach Greg Cravens. “After a couple of emotional weeks, these girls battled Friday and achieved our goal for the season.”
The Cowboys opened up the regional tournament against Trinidad, winning in three sets, 25-21, 25-10 and 25-8.
Ainsley Selle led the attack with 10 kills and Rylee Sullivan had five; assisted by Ellie Hossack and Graycee Cravens.
Taylor Garcia led the defense adding 31 digs to her career-high 1,000 and at the net Reese Clatterbaugh was the top blocker.
“We knew our match against Trinidad was about us taking care of the ball on our side and not getting into a freeball match with them,” said Cravens. “We needed to make good passes and sets and hit the ball.”
After a short 15-minute break the team began to warm up for their biggest game of the year, and their chance to go to state.
Meeker prepared to face the 2A leading point scorer, Jaycee Windorski.
“Our team did a great job preparing for Windorski,” commented Cravens. “All the coaches I talked to about her said she was a very smart player and she will get points.”
The Cowboys made some adjustments throughout the week to ensure to block the attack.
“The first two sets the girls executed the game plan well,” said Cravens. “The next two sets, Lake County and Windorski gave us all they had.”
The Cowboy defense worked hard at the net with five blocks from Addison Selle, Ainsley, Clatterbaugh, and Sullivan. In the back row Garcia picked up 46 digs, Ainsley 27 and Hossack 15.
“I told the girls Lake County would fight for their season and it was great to see our girls step up that fifth set and just took control; it was a great Friday afternoon,” commented Cravens.
The Cowboys are now off to state for another year. The upsets in the 2A regionals moved the Cowboys up to the eighth seed as they enter the state tournament.
The top four teams will have a bye; Wiggins, Rye, Sedgwick County and Mancos. Meeker will play Ignacio at 8 a.m. Thursday, another good Western Slope team. The winner of Meeker and Ignacio will take on another western slope team, Mancos.
“We look forward to every opportunity this year’s state tournament is going to provide for us,” ended Cravens. “As a coach, I’m just so happy I get to spend another week with these wonderful young ladies.”
The MHS volleyball team is making its sixth trip to state in seven years. They’ll play Ignacio today (Thursday) at 8 a.m. AMBER GARCIA photo
