The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Prepare for tough week ahead
Crested Butte Titans volleyball hosted the always competitive and undefeated Sanford Indians last Friday, September 21. The Titans understood the match-up against the Indians would be tough and needed to improve their mental focus greatly over the prior weekend.
In the first set, the Titans competed hard with solid passing and battled to stay within striking distance at 12-15. Then, the Indians found that turbo gear and pulled away with a six-point run to win 25-14.
In the second set, again the Titans and Indians battled each point without any team taking a divisive edge. The Titans pulled ahead 10-7 before the Indians evened it up with a quick run tying the match 11-11. A couple of big hits and digs by both teams kept the game tight at 15-16 when the Indians won two big rallies to extend their lead to three points. The Titans battled back to pull close before the Indians capped off the second set 25-18.
Again Crested Butte stayed competitive almost all evening by effectively limiting large serving runs, holding the Indians to a 10-9 advantage in the third set until a Sanford server managed to rattle the confidence of the Titans. She served an eight-point run to increase the Indians lead to 19-10 and two servers later the Indians finished the Titans in three sets 25-12.
Junior Monika Olesen led the Titans with four kills while junior defensive specialist Rosie Ewert picked up three crucial digs. Junior Ali McGuire demonstrated a strong passing performance throughout the evening.
An early bus ride would carry the Titans to Cripple Creek for a rematch against the Pioneers on Saturday, September 22. The Titans would need to regroup and ensure they did not allow the unpredictable Pioneers to steal one at home. The team set some lofty goals to help each player stay mentally focused against the hard working Pioneers. In the match, senior co-captain Cassidy Dodds served seven points while junior Miki Olesen served nine crucial points. Senior Sara Sherman led the team with five kills, followed closely by juniors Miki Olesen and Suzanna Dumas with three kills each.
The Titans battled themselves a bit because, as anticipated, the Pioneers worked hard every point. Over the weekend, the Titans got a boost with several critical serves from junior Marissa Osmundson and some strong back-row play from junior Madeline Pulley. The Titans worked together to win the match 25-19, 25-21 and 25-17.
With the split, the Titans improved their record to 8-4 and remain in the top five in the Southern Peaks League standings with more than half of the season over. A critical Saturday is on the horizon for the Titans with a dual match against the Del Norte Tigers (7-0) and the always-tough Sierra Grande Panthers (8-3) in Del Norte.
