Lethargic Lewis-Palmer wakes up in time to top ThunderRidge

Alan Pearce, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, October 27, 2007

MONUMENT - The combination of an eight-day layoff, having no classes on Friday and a late-afternoon football game resulted in a slow start for the Lewis-Palmer volleyball team.

After finishing the regular season ranked second in Class 5A, the Rangers (18-1) earned the right to host the District 3 tournament. They practically were sleepwalking through their first game against ThunderRidge, a sixth seed, but came away with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 victory.

Middle blocker Ariana Filho was the one Rangers player, though, who seemed ready from the opening serve. The 6-foot-3 University of Minnesota recruit hammered down 14 kills and added five blocks.

But even Filho felt the lack of intensity early.

"We didn't have school (Friday) and I think the team kind of felt this really wasn't districts yet," she said. "I'm glad that we came back. At first, it was like, ehhh."

Although ThunderRidge (9- 11) was the lowest-seeded team in the district, the Grizzlies showed off their proud Continental League lineage by competing well with the host team and later beating fourth-seeded Arvada West in four games.

ThunderRidge middle blocker Karis Ray probably was the most consistent player for coach Kiersta Paul, although setter Amanda Stark did a fine job on tough passes and Erin Didier and Kayla Collier-Vigil had strong swings.

ThunderRidge trailed 16-14 in the second game against Lewis- Palmer when Filho took over again, with a booming kill and two consecutive blocks, on Collier-Vigil and Savannah Dederick.

By then, the Rangers had settled their ball control, thanks largely to senior Sarah Adams, who smoothly handled everything hit her way in what coach Susan Odenbaugh said was her best performance of the season.

Rangers setter Natalie Laband also found reliable hitters other than Filho. Sarah Marietta (eight kills) and Christi Limpert (three kills, three blocks) gave good efforts from the front row.

A mild surprise came from matches in the other pool Friday, as Fairview, the fifth seed, eked out a win against No. 2 Legacy in five games, and third- seeded Fruita Monument in four. Berlin Wright, a 6-4 junior, was impressive for the Knights.

Fairview, coached by Brooke Simmons, finished fifth in the tough Centennial League and therefore got stuck with playing two of the three matches in its pool Friday.

The Knights didn't get a break against Legacy, either, as the fourth game against the Lightning went well past regulation scoring, so Fairview had to be tired facing Fruita Monument without much of a rest.

However, those wins guarantee Fairview a spot in the cross-bracket playoffs.

Play resumes at 10 a.m. today, with Lewis-Palmer facing Arvada West and Legacy meeting Fruita Monument.

Two teams will advance from the district into next week's regionals.

pearcea@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5352