Win not in the cards for Moffat County volleyball Thursday
Lady Bulldogs lose 3-0 in Homecoming game with Grand Valley
It’s back on the road from here on out for Moffat County High SchoolMoffat County High School volleyball. volleyball.
Moffat County High School volleyball.
The Lady Bulldogs finished their home season Thursday night with a 3-0 defeat by Grand Valley in a game that was also their pink game and Homecoming competition.
MCHS girls knew going in it would be a tough one, and the Cardinals showed why they’re ranked second in the 3A Western Slope Leaguesecond in the 3A Western Slope League, downing the Lady Dogs quickly in 25-14 and 25-12 sets to start., downing the Lady Dogs quickly in 25-14 and 25-12 sets to start.
second in the 3A Western Slope League, downing the Lady Dogs quickly in 25-14 and 25-12 sets to start.
However, Moffat County made Grand Valley sweat in the telltale third, and while the Cards may have walked away with the win, the 25-19 round saw the Craig team get into the groove, albeit a little late, as they dug deep around the court and slammed hard at the net, with back-to-back kills by Morgan Lawton and a big block by Maddy Olinger looking like the start of a comeback that cooled down too soon.
Grand Valley kept their eye on where to put the ball and scored often by simply pointing it toward spots of empty floor, noted Mattie Jo Duzik, who had more than a few successful spikes and blocks herself.
“They’re really good at seeing those spots, and they capitalized on our weaknesses, which hurt us,” she said.
A bigger crowd, especially fellow students, was appreciated but made for a different environment, she added.
“There was some Homecoming jitters, but we’re going to work on it, we’re going to fix it,” Duzik said.
Now 4-12 overall and 2-2 in the WSL, the Lady Dogs have away games against Coal Ridge and Gunnison next week, ending the regular season Oct. 24 with another encounter with Grand Valley in Parachute, this time for conference credit.
Head coach Starla Jensen said the travel time may benefit the team, with less pressure likely to help.
“We’re so focused on wanting that win that we can’t focus on what we have to do to get to it,” she said.
A calmer game might help, as well. Emotions Thursday were also running high from a pre-game ceremony as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in which players — who were clad in pink socks provided by The Memorial Hospital — and coaches took a moment to honor loved ones who had experienced all types of cancer.
“I think it’s really important to do things like that,” Jensen said.
Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.
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