The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate volleyball team will open its 2025-2026 season at this week’s Demon Invitational in Glenwood Springs under the helm of a new head coach, Chelsea Caler.
The Lady Pirates will play three games at this week’s tournament, beginning with a 4 p.m. matchup with Meeker on Friday, Aug. 22.
Later that evening, at 6 p.m., the team will take on Roaring Fork.
The next day at 10 a.m. the Lady Pirates will take on the tournament’s host, Glenwood Springs.
The team’s focus at the tournament, Caler explains in an email to The SUN, will be “on executing the little things: serving with intention, staying consistent in serve receive and applying the speed work we’ve emphasized in our blocking. Most of all, we’re excited to finally get out on the court and put what we’ve been practicing this week into action. This weekend is equally about figuring out what works well and what doesn’t, so we can keep building as the season goes on.”
Caler explains 40 athletes tried out for volleyball this season, which she notes “shows the excitement around the program right now.”
The program, she states, has a number of varsity players returning, as well as younger athletes entering the mix.
“We return a handful of varsity players, who are stepping into bigger roles both positionally and as leaders,” Caler wrote. “We also have younger athletes earning their varsity opportunity, so it’s a strong mix. Our five seniors will be key in setting the tone for the program this season.”
Caler notes that, heading into the season, one of the team’s biggest strengths is its chemistry and the camaraderie among the athletes.
“They communicate well, support each other and bring a strong presence to the court,” she wrote.
The team, she explains, has been working to refine fundamentals and build confidence ahead of the season opening.
“The next step, and where we see the biggest opportunity for growth, is taking that foundation and implementing more advanced strategies and systems on both offense and defense,” she wrote. “That’s where the fun begins, and we’re excited to lean into it.”
Caler also indicates she’s lucky to kick off her head coaching with this year’s group.
“This group has [moxie] and they’re committed to putting in the work,” she wrote. “At the same time, we’re learning how to enjoy the process. As a new head coach, I couldn’t ask for a better group to kick off this journey with! They’re hungry, they’re growing and they’re fun to coach.”
The team finished the 2024-2025 season with an 11-14 record and 2-6 record in the Intermountain League.
Schedule
The following schedule was accurate as of press time, but is subject to change.
Following this week’s tournament play in Glenwood Springs, the Lady Pirates will take to their home court on Aug. 30 for a 1 p.m. matchup with Sanford.
On Sept. 4, the Lady Pirates will be on the road to take on the Alamosa Mean Moose at 6 p.m.
The team will again hit the road on Sept. 6, this time to take on the Telluride Miners for a 3 p.m. affair.
The Lady Pirates will host the Del Norte Tigers at 6 p.m. on Sept. 11.
The team will travel for a 1 p.m. matchup with the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers on Sept. 13.
The Lady Pirates will host the Bayfield Wolverines for a 6 p.m. game on Sept. 16.
The team will then be back on the road for a 1 p.m. matchup with the Centauri Falcons in La Jara on Sept. 20 and a 6 p.m. game against the Kirtland Central Broncos at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 in Kirtland, N.M.
The team will return to its home court to take on the Panthers at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30, the Mean Moose at 6 p.m. on Oct. 2 and the Durango Demons at 6 p.m. on Oct. 7.
The Lady Pirates will then hit the road on Oct. 14 to take on the Wolverines in Bayfield at 6:15 p.m.
On Oct. 16, the Lady Pirates will host the Ignacio Bobcats at 6 p.m.
The team will travel to Monte Vista for a 6 p.m. matchup with the Monte Vista Pirates on Oct. 21.
The Lady Pirates will host the Falcons at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23.
The team will then travel to the Coal Ridge Tournament on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to close out the regular season.
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