Titan volleyball season comes to abrupt end at district tournament

Fall to Center in first round of districts

After putting together their best season since moving into the Southern Peaks 2A league and earning the fourth seed at districts, the Titans were handed a shock in the first round of the post-season, falling to the ninth-ranked Center Vikings on Tuesday, October 22.
Once again the October break reared its ugly head and coach Marla Covey readily admits that it did have an effect on her team as they came out against Center a bit out of sync.
They battled hard to hold off the initial push by Center but eventually dropped the first set 26-24.
The second set followed a near-similar path with the Titans falling behind 8-4 before Covey called a timeout. Senior Suzanna Dumas came out of the break with a huge kill but Center’s notoriously big hitter provided a series of highlights to hold their lead. Crested Butte battled back winning the point at the end of a long rally and evened the score 11-11 after blocking Center’s big hitter twice, including one by senior Monika Olesen. A huge dig by senior Rosie Ewert provided momentum for the Titans as they built a 14-11 lead before Center called their first timeout.
Center’s star player then took the service line and led a seven-point run to put the Vikings back on top 21-17 but the Titans stayed in the set. Freshman Isabel Young was called into action for the big game and she put her height and attitude to work, including a big block that started off a Titans run.
“Isabel came in and did incredibly well,” says Covey. “She just doesn’t get intimidated.”
Two more blocks from Dumas had the Titans within one but mental focus, or lack thereof, reared its ugly head and the Titans ultimately fell 25-22.
The third set would prove to be a gut-check for the Titans. Lose and they would be done for the season. Win and they could turn the match around.
But Center would not let the Titans get on a roll. The Vikings jumped out early once again and held a two-point lead for most of the game. The Vikings built a 19-13 lead eventually, but Crested Butte rallied behind some magic from Young and pure hustle by the team.
They rattled off six points to tie it up 20-20 and then seized on a couple of Center miscues late in the set to pull off a 25-23 score and stave off elimination.
Despite the big win, the Titans succumbed to continued hot and cold play. Tips from Brittany Barefield and Miki Olesen would give the team a push and mistakes by Center would open the door for another Titans rally, but Crested Butte would then give up points with unforced errors.
The Titans were within striking distance, having pulled to within three points of Center but the Vikings clamped down to win the fourth set 25-20 and take the match, ending Crested Butte’s season.
“We gave them the confidence to play with us by losing the first set,” says Covey. “We just made too many mental mistakes. But I’ve seen our team in the past lose like this and start blaming each other. Tonight they didn’t do that. They lost as a team. They had their best season ever in 2A and they should be proud of that. I’m proud of my seniors and their leadership all year.”