Aurora – Eaglecrest obliterated one sports adage Wednesday night while reinforcing another.
Brushing off the notion that it’s hard to beat a good team three times in a season, the Raptors rallied on the road to do just that against Grandview – the two-time Class 5A defending volleyball state champion and nationally ranked outfit at the beginning of the season.
The Raptors’ 26-28, 25-19, 12-25, 25-19, 15-12 Centennial League victory was what coach Tanya Bond called a character test. It also showed Eaglecrest’s distinct advantage over its rival in ball control and defense – the stuff championships are supposedly made of.
“We wanted to prove that the third time, they won’t beat us,” said Eaglecrest junior middle blocker Courtney Karst, who was dominant in the decisive fifth game. “The fourth time, they won’t beat us. There’s going to be another time, I’m sure.”
While another showdown in November’s state tournament would appear likely, the Raptors won’t be short on confidence. In a match of huge emotional shifts, Eaglecrest was unflappable down the stretch, while the Wolves got increasingly tight.
Karst had three of her team- best 14 kills in the fifth game and added two blocks. Setter Jordan Kissman had 18 assists and five kills, sophomore middle Courtnee Pedone had six kills, junior Darcy Schwartzman added five kills and nine assists and Sheila Olaechea made a slew of outstanding digs.
After seven ties, the Raptors took the lead for good 9-8 in the fifth game on Karst’s block.
An ace by Kissman and another kill by Karst gave Eaglecrest a lead it could protect until Grandview lost by committing its fourth service error of the game.
“I think Grandview felt like they really have something to prove,” Bond said. “I think they’re frustrated with us beating them. We’re not supposed to beat them.”
Eaglecrest (14-0, 2-0 league) assumed the No. 1 spot in The Denver Post/9News poll since beating the Wolves (11-3, 1-1) on Sept. 16. The Raptors beat second-ranked Grandview again in four games on Sept. 21.
The Wolves had moments of brilliance Wednesday and several prolonged funks.
Two-time player of the year Lindsey Licht, who is still recovering from a nagging foot injury, had 10 kills and one block, setter Lauren VanOrden had 38 assists and 6-foot-4 middle Katie Mills had 12 kills and four blocks.
But the Wolves were unable to put the Raptors away after a dominating third game.
“They have great ball control. Better ball control than us,” Wolves coach Patty Childress said.
