For the past couple of seasons, the Manitou Springs volleyball team has flashed a lot of potential. This could be the year that the Mustangs live up to that potential as they return a slew of big hitters to go with several key pieces fitting into place around them.
Even though playing in Season C last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic gave the Mustangs a short turnaround to this upcoming season, there is plenty to be excited about while remaining cautious.
“There are pros and cons,” coach Crissy Leonhardt said. “I’m a little worried about injury and overuse stuff, but it’s definitely an advantage because the girls know each other, and they just got done playing with each other.”
It was an unfortunate ending to the season as a contact tracing issue prevented the Mustangs from competing at regionals. But this is a hungry team that’s returning to the floor looking to do some damage in the Tri-Peaks League and, hopefully, return to the state tournament.
They’ll have to replace some key players who won’t be back with the team either due to graduation or injury. Mahlia Glass and Sophie McKeown were certainly huge losses when it comes to on-court leadership.
“Mahlia was always big vocally,” junior Avah Armour said. “We need someone to step up and be that person to hype everyone up. We also need a libero (back-row specialist) to step up too.”
Perhaps what’s more important than what the Mustangs lost is what they get back. Armour led the team with 152 kills last season and the team has a great supplemental hitter in Katy Vance, who finished with 58 kills.
Ayla Flett, Ashlyn Thomson, Lexi Vigil and Lily Glass also return; Nora Jorstad will be back with the team after missing last season with a foot injury. The sheer volume of returning players with experience will be one of the Mustangs’ biggest assets.
“It’s a great opportunity for some of the older kids to grow into that leader role,” Flett said. “And for the younger kids, it’s going to be a great season. We’re going to get together as a team and we’ll have more opportunities to grow.”
That’s going to be a crucial mentality for the Mustangs to have this year. Bonding as a team will be essential in the upperclassmen establishing themselves as the leaders on the court and gaining the trust of the collective unit.
With so many players returning from last year’s team, the continuity should help the team grow together sooner than later. And it’s also going to help when they take the floor.
“We just have depth,” Leonhardt said. “Depending on who we’re playing, I think we can match up nicely and people are willing to play different positions and be successful in those positions. I’m looking forward to that and seeing what these kids can do.”
The Mustangs open their season on Aug. 24, when they host Summit High School.