Ahead of playing six games in 12 days, the Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate volleyball team is working on increasing its speed of play while also staying focused on recovery.
The Lady Pirates, who are 1-4 on the season, haven’t played a match since they lost to Dolores on Aug. 25, but this week they’ll face 4A Durango and 3A Centauri, two strong teams, according to coach Chelsea Caler, as they begin the stretch run of the season.
Caler and her staff have used this past week to really focus on increasing the girls speed of play and transition game, she indicates in an email to The SUN.
“We’re setting some benchmarks for how quickly we can move from defense into offense and from serve receive into offense,” wrote Caler. “A big focus has been learning to earn our points.”
She has also emphasized to the girls the importance of cutting out the silly, unforced errors that they can control and that have haunted them so far this season, she notes.
The girls have impressed Caler with their willingness to learn and hold each other accountable, she adds.
“Practices have been tough, but also a lot of fun and good energy,” wrote Caler. “They keep showing me that we can do hard things.”
The girls will be back in action starting on Thursday, Sept. 3, when they play at Durango beginning at 6 p.m.
The Demons are 3-0 on the season.
The Lady Pirates will then close out the week with a league game against Centauri at home on Saturday, Sept. 5, beginning at 1 p.m.
The Falcons are 1-1 on the season.
Caler mentions that she has a ton of respect for both teams and their coaching staffs, and she knows that they’re each going to play a fast game.
“We’re focused on our side of the net, making sure we’re improving our own game and being ready to compete,” Caler wrote.
Ahead of the busy part of the season starting with their game against Durango, the Lady Pirates are being very intentional about taking care of themselves and focusing on recovery, emphasizes Caler.
“We’re excited for the challenge and looking to play with confidence, earn our points, finish plays and win,” she wrote.
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
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