Huskies spikers stay undefeated, win Queen of the Mountain tournament
Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
Scott Graves can’t remember the last time the Battle Mountain girls volleyball team started a season 14-0.
The Huskies head coach was an assistant on the 鈥斅爓inning 21 straight after dropping its season opener to Montrose. There was of course the 2006 team that went 30-0 against 4A competition 鈥� a lone blemish coming at the hands of 5A Doherty.
Even with its gaudy record, it’s hard for Graves to definitely say whether or not this year’s team is for real.
“I don’t think we’ve been really tested yet,” the first-year head coach said. “This team could be extremely good. They could be a state-contender team. But we’re still trying to figure things out.”
The Huskies’ undefeated season continued on Saturday with a clean sweep of Aspen, Roaring Fork and Soroco in the annual Queen of the Mountain volleyball tournament in Edwards. The Huskies took down the 撸先生ers 25-23, 22-25, 16-14 in their first match, then swept Roaring Fork (26-24, 25-15) and Soroco 25-22, 25-14 to improve to 14-0 on the season.
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Graves saw his team continue to work out some kinks in the roster. Battle Mountain has been rotating between Cynthia Orona, Presley Walters and Keena Shikverg at the setter position. To some degree, however, the Huskies’ strength might be in their balance and depth.
“We’re not a one-trick pony,” Graves said. “We’ve got a lot of good hitters on our team. It’s hard (for other teams) to know where our offense is going to come from.”
Seniors Grace Halminski and Tyler Heimerl lead the team in hitting percentage. Heimerl 鈥� a state-qualifying high jumper 鈥� also leads the team in total blocks with 40, followed by Halminksi (23) and fellow four-year player Izzy Zastrow (20). But the Huskies’ younger players have served in key roles, too.
Sophomore libero Evie Steinberg leads the team in digs with 138.
“She’s going to be a great player, and she’s already holding her own as a sophomore,” Graves said. “She sees the court well.”
Fellow sophomore Lela Goehring is third on the team in hitting percentage and second in kills per set (1.8).
“She’s contributing quite a bit,” Graves added.
Plus, if playing under pressure is any indication of a team’s playoff potential, the Huskies have reason for hope. They trailed 2-1 against Steamboat Springs on Sept. 24 and 2-0 on the road against Eagle Valley on Oct. 3. They came back to win in five in both games. The win on Oct. 1 over Glenwood Springs also went the distance.
“That really shows our grit and resiliency,” said Graves before adding that the key for his team to maximize its potential is belief. “They have to know what they’re capable of.”
Battle Mountain probably will have to wait until its final game 鈥斅燼 Nov. 2 date with No. 3-ranked Palisade 鈥� to really see where it stands statewide. But before that, they’ll welcome Steamboat Springs and Eagle Valley to Edwards on Oct. 22 and Oct. 24.
“They’re going to want revenge. I know they’re hungry. They’re coming into our gym, though,” Graves said regarding the Devils. “I think the energy of our fans is going to help our girls. I think our girls feed off the crowd. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good matchup.”
