Even volleyball has a Zero Week, unofficially at least.
In football, Zero Week is the start of the season, providing teams with an early way to fill out their schedule. With volleyball, the season began last Thursday, so there was only a short week to get in that first match. Most of the powerhouse teams schedule a softer touch for the season opener and, without a challenge, there’s not as much interest.
Not so for Grandview, probably the top 5A program in Colorado, which brought in Ponderosa. That was a prime matchup, with the Wolves ranked second (behind Chaparral) in the MaxPreps preseason coaches rankings and Ponderosa ranked third. The Mustangs proved up to the task with a 25-23, 25-16, 25-21 win against last year’s state runner-up.
Ponderosa received its usual productive performances from right-side hitter Tori Minovich, with seven kills, and libero Kendall Howard, with 21 digs.
But perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the win for Mustangs coach Rob Graham was the emergence of two juniors, outside hitter Caitie Breaux and middle blocker Carly Boatwright. Both players saw varsity time last season, but the Grandview match was a breakthrough, not only in production but also in confidence.
Breaux piled up 10 kills, plus a block and an ace. Boatwright had six kills and five blocks.
"They made a lot of plays," Graham said. "It’s amazing what you can do when you’re told you have the (starting) job and we’re sticking with you."
For Grandview, a slow start is somewhat expected. The Wolves graduated two-time All-Colorado libero McCall Paynter and two-year starting setter Theresa Reid. Standout middle blocker Erica Denney, a Penn State recruit, battled some illness in the offseason, and had U.S. Youth National Team commitments and did not play at all with the Wolves in summer ball.
Denney finished with three kills, two blocks and two aces while fellow middle Jill Anderson had six kills and one block. Hannah Starbuck led the team with 11 kills, and played strong defense. But Starbuck also got the majority of swings from her outside hitter spot. The other positions were a bit neglected, especially considering the most experienced players are at those spots.
The middle attack and right side, with Morgan Gradishar (five kills, one ace) had far fewer sets, partially because Ponderosa’s strong service led to average passes. Still, the emphasis on sets to the left might be why Grandview coach Patty Childress replaced starting setter Courtney Shepard with sophomore Grace Gordon midway through the match.
"We still have some kinks to work out," Denney said. "But I was so happy with how Grace did. When she came in, she was so nervous, she was shaking."
On tap
Saturday marks the biggest weekend for tournament play, with Smoky Hill’s being of the most interest. The Buffaloes host Chaparral, top-ranked in 5A, along with defending 4A champion Cheyenne Mountain.
Skyline, ThunderRidge and Wheat Ridge are some of the other participants at the Smoky Hill tournament. In terms of numbers, Mesa Ridge has the biggest tournament and pulled in Montrose, Gunnison and Palisade.
Overland is keeping up with its long-lived tournament. The Blazers have attracted Faith Christian, Standley Lake, Fairview and Arvada West, among others.
Up to the northwest, Broomfield has some teams from that area, while Machebeuf has an interesting mix of parochial schools, plus some teams from the mountains. Fort Morgan also is hosting its annual event, while tournaments at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Evangelical Christian, Alexander Dawson and Bennett will showcase teams from Class 3A, 2A and 1A.
Jam winner
Mullen, which finished second last year in Class 4A, emerged on top from the first big tournament of the year, the Regis Jesuit Jam. The Mustangs beat out Air Academy, Holy Family and Rock Canyon in the two-day event before sweeping their hosts in the championship final.
Mullen’s Rachel Keyes, a Wyoming recruit, was the Mustangs' top player in the 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 championship win, and Morgan Dye, Kelsey Freeman and Allie Friewald also did well. But the real find in the final was middle blocker Sabin Laughlin, who was the last cut from varsity tryouts last season.
"She’s got a true hitter’s mentality," Mullen coach Vilis Ozols said of Laughlin, who hits hard and blocks harder. Laughlin had six kills and six blocks against the Raiders.
Regis had upset Highlands Ranch in a lengthy semifinal (22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 10-25, 15-11) and didn’t have much firepower left for the Mustangs.
"We just played really bad," Regis coach Laura Dunston said. "They just all played bad at once."
Coaching carousel
A number of teams have a new hand at the helm this season. One of the most entrenched coaches was Julie Buckley at Overland, who moved to South Korea and handed the Blazer reins over to Jill Carlson, a former assistant.
The Colorado Springs Metro League had a number of changes. J.J. Glavan takes over at Rampart from Keith Barnett, who is now the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs head coach. Shena McCuloch is in at Palmer, replacing Nancy Pellow, while Ashlynn Smith takes over Pine Creek from Paul Waring.
Carol Arthofer is the new Standley Lake coach, replacing Heather Martin, who had a baby. Jenny Hooker is at Brighton, in for Cody Van Arsdale, while Eric Jesse takes over the Legacy program from Bob Knox.
Ashley Malcolm now runs Limon instead of Brenda Liggett, and Glenn Gainley takes over Rocky Mountain from Jay Dukart. One big name is out, with Lara Bossow replacing Brian Doyon at Battle Mountain, and one is in, with Jim Glenn retaking the reins at Middle Park from Kris Newberry.
ETC.: Rangeview outside hitter/middle blocker Bree Phillips was selected the Colorado player of the week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and MaxPreps. The 5-foot-9 junior averaged 4.25 kills, 2.63 digs and had three aces in eight games last week. The MaxPreps/AVCA High School Player of the Week Program is a partnership between the AVCA and MaxPreps. (Coaches must submit statistics to MaxPreps.com in order for their athletes to be considered for the program). Phillips will receive a certificate and a letterman’s patch from MaxPreps and the AVCA.