The Manitou Springs girls volleyball team is showing true signs of progress as it gets deeper into the regular season. It’s not a matter of opinion, it can be determined by looking at the results of the season’s first three matches.
After getting swept by Fowler, the Mustangs (1-2 overall) dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Pueblo Central in their Aug. 25 match. In perhaps desperate need of a win, the Mustangs battled after a first tough set to rally and beat Pueblo East 14-25, 26-24, 25-21, 20-25, 15-9 on Tuesday, Aug. 30, to get their first win of the season.
“We have been falling apart in the beginning of the season with people missing (practice) with injuries and stuff,” coach Crissy Leonhardt said. “Even tonight we still weren’t 100 percent and we still played phenomenally.”
Three Manitou seniors recorded double-digit kills: Ayla Flett led the way with 12, Grace Allen had 11 and Teryn Thime had 10.
Thime also led the Mustangs with three blocks, Allen had a team-high 30 digs and senior Lily Glass was crucial to the offensive effort as she racked up 21 assists.
The win over East was a true sign that this group of seniors is starting to get a genuine feel for how they’ll play together on the court.
“We’re just getting more comfortable playing with each other in practice and it’s really helping,” Glass said. “All of us haven’t played together before so it’s good that we’re bonding and growing as a team.”
The Mustangs will get their first taste of tournament action when they head to Jefferson Academy on Friday, Sept. 9, but will see some tough competition before then. They head to Lutheran on Thursday, Sept. 1, to take on the Lions, No. 9 in the Class 4A CHSAANow.com rankings. They then come home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, to host 5A Doherty.
Getting the win over Pueblo East was a welcome feeling for the girls and a sign that they’re developing as a team and trending in the right direction.
“We’ve been stressing offense,” Leonhardt said. “We’re also making sure that we’re making smart decisions, but aggressive decisions, and they’re so coachable.”