The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Volleyball at home this weekend
by Than Acuff
The October break has come and gone and now the coaches are busy bringing their teams back into the fold for the remaining games of the regular season, with all three programs looking to move on to the post-season.
The volleyball team headed into the October break with a record of 7-8 after being forced to forfeit two matches at the start of the break, as the varsity team was down to five players.
They had just one practice before their first game after the break on Tuesday, October 16. and the affect of the break showed as they fell to Sargent in four sets, 11-25, 25-27, 25-21, 11-25. Maisy Ramsey, Sophia Hall and Sydney Stoneberg all had stellar showings in the tough loss.
“I would say we’re playing a little sleepy,” says McNallie. “Like we’ve been on break for a week.”
The Titans will finish out the regular season with a home match against Dolores Huerta on Thursday, October 18 at 4 p.m. and then will play their final match of the regular season on Saturday, October 20 as they host the South Park Burros starting at 1 p.m.
“Maybe we can turn things around and finish the season strong,” says McNallie.
With the two more matches and the post-season hanging in the balance, the Titans volleyball team looks to recover and seal a bid to the regional tournament.
“We’re hoping for a spot at regionals because if we can get a few more practices in and regain our consistency and confidence, that should set us up well,” says McNallie.
The cross-country runners are shaking the rust off from the October break as they prepare for the regional race in Delta on Friday, October 19. A couple of them did make practices over the break and all of the runners are coming into this week looking strong.
“Everyone’s feeling good and rested from break,” says coach Shari Sullivan-Marshall.
The young team has been gaining ground each week and the Delta course and forecast for cooler temperatures has the team set for another series of season-best and personal-record results.
“It’s a fast course that the kids know and the forecast looks awesome for us, which is great,” says Sullivan-Marshall.
All 10 runners will make the trip to regionals and the coaches hope they take the opportunity to close out the regular season on a high note.
“I would be psyched if everyone could end with their best time,” says Sullivan-Marshall.
Several of the boys also have a shot at the state race so if they post their top times at regionals, they could punch their ticket to the state meet on Saturday, October 27.
“We have some strong possibilities for state,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “I’m excited for Friday.”
Meanwhile, the soccer team has their hands full in their final game of the regular season. After the team took the entire week off from workouts during the break, they are back in action.
“Honestly, things are pretty good,” says senior captain Slater Weil. “Everybody is totally ready to play games and start the season back up.”
The Titans are headed to Telluride on Saturday, October 20 to close out the season and the past two years the Titans have fallen to Telluride in the last game, but they look to break that trend this weekend.
“It’s the most important game,” says Weil. “To win and stay number one would be awesome and if everyone brings their game, I think we can take them.”
Crested Butte is guaranteed a spot in the post-season but the final game could determine when and where they play. If the Titans win, they should head into the 2A state tournament the number one seed and get a bye through the first round and start play on Saturday, October 27. A loss could drop them from the top four and force them to open the tournament on Wednesday, October 24. Either way, they should be the higher seeded team in their first tournament game and will host it at Rainbow field.
“It would be huge,” says Weil. “Having our fans there helps bring our intensity up and if we can win that first game it will show us that we belong and could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
