CORTEZ – The cheers reverberated from all corners of “The Jungle” with each point, making the 3A IML opener between Bayfield and Montezuma-Cortez carry all the energy of a state playoff match.
A youthful Panthers squad clawed their way into each set, scrambling for every ball, as confidence built with each mini-run.
The Wolverines’ strength at the net proved to be too much, however, as the visitors overturned deficits in each of the three sets to help Bayfield to open league play with a 3-0 sweep of the Panthers, 25-23, 25-20, 25-13.
Bayfield (2-4, 1-0 3A IML) extended their winning streak to five straight matches in the series, thanks to strong attacks from their powerful outside hitters that forced the M-CHS back line to elevate their game.
For a M-CHS (1-4, 0-1 3A IML) squad that features only four upperclassmen on the varsity roster, experiences like their battle with their La Plata County rivals will only strengthen the Panthers as they dig deeper into league play.
“Our goal this year has been to play to the best of our ability,” said M-CHS first-year head coach Skylar Robinson, “and in the first two sets, I think we did that.”
After absorbing some of the Bayfield brute force through the first two sets, the Panthers started to lose their edge, allowing the Wolverines to turn a three-point deficit into a 12-point win in the closeout set.
“We’re looking to continue to work on pushing through, even when things aren’t going well,” added Robinson, recognizing that keeping energy up for hundreds of points over a lengthy match will test the Panthers fitness as much as their mental fortitude.
For that, M-CHS has turned to their senior leaders, Delta Suckla and Isabella Tewell, to keep the voltage up.
“They’ve really stepped up this year into that leadership role,” said Robinson of her seniors, “our team feeds of their energy. Delta was really calm and collected tonight, and that helped the whole team play levelheaded.”
For a new head coach, the adjustments have taken place far from just within the 59-foot-by-29.5-foot rectangle. “The girls are adjusting to me, and I’m looking to help this team grow, both on and off the court,” Robinson said.
Sophomore Marlee Mack, juniors Karlee Hubbs and Gabby Foster along with freshman Tessa Jackson have emerged to join Tewell and sophomore Aubrie Matthias as premier targets for the Panthers at the net. The back line, led by sophomore libero Sarah Sparks and setter Kescoleigh Boeckman have helped to provide digs for the Panthers to set up their offense.
The Panthers hope that the energy from their home crowd will ignite a surge in the win column, with matches against Pagosa Springs (Saturday, Sept. 9), Mancos (Tuesday, Sept. 12) and Bloomfield (Thursday, Sept. 14) capping off a five-match homestand.
