Raptors, Wolves power to wins

Eaglecrest-Grandview final moves a step closer

Alan Pearce, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, November 10, 2007

With all that's going on in Class 5A volleyball this season, the state tournament still could be headed toward another Eaglecrest-Grandview final.

The Raptors and Wolves emerged with two wins on the first day at Denver Coliseum. Neither team could put it on cruise control, though.

Eaglecrest (26-2) met Highlands Ranch in the second match of the day and was extended to five games by the Falcons. Although tight in every game after the first, Eaglecrest was noticeably better in the final frame and won 25-19, 20-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-8.

It went a bit better in the Raptors' second match, against Columbine, although again, the games were tight. Eaglecrest earned a 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 25- 20 victory that Raptors coach Tanya Bond found entertaining.

"Highlands Ranch is fun, so defensive and, out of nowhere, they can crush the ball," Bond said.

The Falcons lost to Regis in the Raiders' invitational tournament early in the season, then went undefeated until last week, when they were swept by Cherry Creek in regionals. That resulted in a drop to the sixth seed, while Eaglecrest's double wins in districts and regionals had the Raptors as the No. 3 seed.

"Highlands Ranch is a good team, a good defensive team," Eaglecrest setter/hitter Darcy Schwartzman said. "We were smart with our shots. It doesn't really matter if it was (three games or five) to start the day. It got the jitters out."

Grandview remained undefeated this season by taking down Mountain Vista in five games and Pine Creek in four. The latter match was no breeze, either, as Grandview had to score 30 points in the second game and 28 in the fourth to subdue the Eagles.

Wolves star Lauren Van Orden still is feeling a little ill, something that affected her more last week at regionals. Grandview also is working out playing time at the middle blocker spot opposite Erica Denney.

That position became a concern late in the season, when starter Natalie Romolo injured her hand. Jill Anderson took over, but Tori Svalberg looked good in the later stages of regionals. Neither Anderson nor Svalberg, though, was consistent Friday.

Grandview had a slow start, losing its first two games to Mountain Vista. Van Orden, a San Diego State recruit who has proved to be one of the state's top players, took over after that, as the Wolves scored a 19-25, 23- 25, 25- 21, 25-16, 15-13 victory.

Mountain Vista features one of the state's most dynamic hitters, junior Ariel Turner. The Eagles looked superb early but didn't play as aggressively in the succeeding games, while Grandview's defense and passing picked up.

Among the other teams, Cherry Creek paved its way to the semifinals today by beating Pine Creek and Mountain Vista.

The Bruins, seeded fourth, opened play Friday morning by dominating Pine Creek 25-12, 25-14, 21-25, 25-16.

Pine Creek setter Cindy Bathelt fretted about playing the first match of the day and then sitting until the next to last match. The Eagles didn't look sharp in the early match against the Bruins, but then they gave Grandview a big test in the evening follow-up.

Lewis-Palmer also fell victim to the five-game epidemic, but it made the best of it with a win against Columbine.

The Rangers' most successful combination, Natalie Laband setting 6-foot-3 middle blocker Ariana Filho, worked well against the Rebels (22-6). Filho, who will sign next week with the University of Minnesota, racked up additional points for the Rangers by blocking a number of Columbine hits.

Highlands Ranch overcame the disappointment of its first loss by outlasting Lewis-Palmer in the final match of the night. The Falcons beat the Rangers 26-24, 22-25, 17-25, 25-22, 15-10.

"I know both teams are tired," Falcons outside hitter Kristina Rogers said. "We're the last ones standing in this gym."

Falcons middle blocker Erica Winkler also seemed spent but realized her team will live to play another day.

"Our energy level dropped, but we were able to get it back up," Winkler said.

pearcea@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5352