Log In


Reset Password
Sports Youth Sports Professional Sports More Sports College Sports High School Sports

A homecoming Thursday treat

DHS volleyball to host Cortez
“It is a really important game moving forward, and Cortez is always a big game on our schedule no matter what,” Durango High School volleyball head coach Colleen Keresey said of the Demons’ 6:30 p.m. game Thursday night against Montezuma-Cortez. “It always seems like everyone brings their best game, and we are prepared for that.”

A rivalry game during homecoming week, what could be better?

Nothing for the Durango High School volleyball team, who will host league and regional rival Montezuma-Cortez at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a pivotal game for Southwestern League standings.

“It is a really important game moving forward, and Cortez is always a big game on our schedule no matter what,” DHS head coach Colleen Keresey said. “It always seems like everyone brings their best game, and we are prepared for that.”

Both teams will enter the game 2-2 in the SWL, and the Panthers have the better overall record at 10-4, while the Demons are 9-6.

Montrose leads the league at 5-0 and 10-3 overall, and both teams are trying to keep pace.

DHS has been led by junior Maddie Robertson’s 114 kills, good for an average of 2.5 per set. Ali Davis is second on the team with 85, and senior Laura Lieb has another 77. DHS senior setter Logan Clark, who has a team-high 326 assists, has the best hitting percentage on the team at .750, and she has 30 kills.

Serving continues to be the strength for DHS. The Demons have 126 aces this season, and four girls – Clark, Sarah Lawton, Lieb and Robertson – have more than 20.

DHS will keep its eye on Cortez senior outside hitter Naomi Pinnecoose, who leads the Panthers with 192 kills, good for six per set.

“She is a great all-around player. We know she can attack from the front and back row and pass the ball,” Keresey said. “We have to be prepared for her, but our focus will be on our side of the net and make sure we are playing our best volleyball.

DHS will enter the game on a two-match losing streak after a tough weekend road trip with games against Fruita Monument and Montrose.

“We’ve talked about there being a lot of season left. We just keep getting better and better and learn from our losses and wins,” Keresey said. “I feel like we will keep climbing.”

Keresey said she isn’t worried about any homecoming distractions, and she hopes the game being played on a Thursday instead of Friday will bring more fans to the gym.

“We hope to have a big crowd since we aren’t competing with football. We want people to come support volleyball,” she said. “The girls are focused, but they can enjoy the homecoming events and take their mind off volleyball some, and I know they will focus when we need to.”

jlivingston@durangoherald.com



Reader Comments