In Chelsea Caler’s second season of coaching, a strong group of returning players mixed with some new faces have the Pagosa Springs High School volleyball team poised to play together and to play smart this year.
This year’s squad features four returning players. Dawson Iverson, Tatiana Monterroso, Avea Bruce and Sydney Plake all played on last year’s squad that finished 5-18 and will be anchoring this year’s team that is looking to improve.
Iverson is an all-around hitter and Monterroso will be the team’s libero, according to the coach.
Plake and Bruce were both hitters last year, but Caler noted that they have been playing around with sticking Bruce on the outside due to her powerful swing.
“Our chemistry is so good,” said Caler. “It’s really nice. I think a lot of these girls are ... friends, so we’re having a lot of fun on the court with each other. But we also have quite a few big hitters.”
Caler emphasized that this year’s team features a lineup with more hitters than the last few seasons.
Malorie Morten, senior, didn’t play last year but can be slotted in anywhere. Juniors Ellie Vining and Darria Fiorenza along with sophomore Veda Deitemeyer are all slotted to play valuable positions as well, noted Caler.
The coachability of the girls is another reason that Caler explained she is excited for the upcoming season.
“We have a lot of options,” Caler said. “We can tell someone on the outside, someone on the right side, someone in the middle, and they’re confident and willing to play that position. I think defensively and on serve receive, we’ve been passing really well.”
The team has only had four practices since finishing tryouts last week. Caler noted she is working hard with the girls tactically to institute an offense and a defense that will work while also taking into account the team’s personnel.
Ahead of the start of the season, Caler explained she is working hard with the girls to dial in their blocking, figuring out what defensive system is the most effective and focusing on out-of-system play.
The Lady Pirates will open the season with a tournament in Glenwood Springs, where they’ll play four games in two games.
Caler stated she is excited to see the team in real-game situations and emphasized that the girls are excited to play, as well.
This year Caler has emphasized the importance of trust and accountability amongst the girls on the team. Since the end of tryouts she has focused on building a culture for the upcoming season, she noted.
“We did a lot of just culture building, team building, conversations, making sure that we’re all on the same page, that we’re all willing to hold each other accountable [and] that we’re all willing to be committed to each other,” said Caler.
Last year’s team only won five games, and while the goal is to win more this year, the team’s main goal is to play together and to have fun throughout the season.
“Sometimes we allow the game to get too serious,” Caler said. “So we’re just really focused on playing for each other, executing things that we are working on.”
Schedule
The following schedule was accurate as of press time, but is subject to change.
The Lady Pirates will open their season in Glenwood Springs for a varsity tournament. They’ll start with a game against Coal Ridge on Friday, Aug. 21, at 4 p.m., and then play Meeker at 7 p.m. the same day.
They’ll then play Glenwood Springs the following day at 10 a.m. and close out the tournament with a game against an opponent that will be determined by their group standing.
Their first home game will be on Tuesday, Aug. 25, against Dolores at 6 p.m.
Then they’ll head to Durango on Thursday, Sept. 3, for a game against Durango at 6 p.m.
On Sept. 5, they’ll play Centauri at home at 1 p.m. and then they’ll be at home for a game against Montezuma-Cortez on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
They’ll follow two straight home games with four straight road games, starting with Del Norte at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10. They’ll follow with a 1 p.m. matchup in Telluride on Sept. 12, and will travel to Bayfield on Sept. 15 for a 6 p.m. game and Cortez on Sept. 22 for a 6:30 p.m. matchup.
The Lady Pirates will be back at home against Kirtland Central on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., but will go back on the road for their next game against Alamosa on Oct. 3, with the matchup set for 1 p.m.
The Bayfield Wolverines will come to town for a 6 p.m. game on Oct. 6, and then the Lady Pirates will head back on the road for their next two games. They’ll go to La Jara to face Centauri at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, and then to Monte Vista on Oct. 20 for a 6 p.m. matchup.
The Lady Pirates’ final home game of the regular season will be against Alamosa at 6 p.m. on Oct. 22.
The Lady Pirates will close out the regular season with three straight away games. They’ll start with a game in Ignacio at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, and then round out the season in Coal Ridge on back-to-back days starting on Oct. 30.
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
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