The wave of school spirit that sweeps through the Manitou Springs high school hallways found its way into the gym for the volleyball team’s non-league showdown with The Classical Academy on Sept. 26.
The Mustangs needed just four sets to down the Class 4A Titans, getting a 25-22, 28-30, 25-21, 25-19 win in front of a passionate, school spirit-driven crowd. It was perhaps the grittiest win the Mustangs (8-6 overall, 2-2 Tri-Peaks) have gotten all year.
“I feel like it was a great win,” Norah Jorstad said. “Our coach isn’t one to have us falling on the floor … getting to our spots and digging some balls … (it) feels good that we can stay on our feet to do that.”
The win over TCA followed up a road win from last week against Ellicott. Teryn Thime and Grace Allen each had eight kills in that match, but overall the Mustangs appear to be playing a cleaner version of volleyball than they were when the season started.
“We’ve stressed a lot about defense in both the front row and the back row,” coach Crissy Leonhardt said. “Rather than being a spectator, they need to be focused and (mentally) in the game and I think stressing that has helped us.”
The Mustangs will see only Tri-Peaks opponents until the final regular season match against University on Oct. 27. The TCA win was a huge boost for the Mustangs, much the same way the win over Doherty was earlier in the year.
“It feels great to beat a 4A team,” Jorstad said. “It’s always good to beat someone when you’re the underdog (in terms of size).”
Manitou travels to Salida on Thursday, Sept. 29, and will host Vanguard on Oct. 4.