Prep notebook: Vail Christian girls volleyball falls to West Grand 3-1

No. 18 West Grand defended its home court on Tuesday, defeating No. 16 Vail Christian 25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22. Taylor Martinson led the way with 13 kills to help the Mustangs improve to 6-2 in league play, while the Saints fell to 2-3 and 10-6 overall.

Vail Christian head coach Britney Branson said the Saints noticed setter Tenley Brasington’s absence.
“Obviously she’s a huge part of our team,” Branson said of the sophomore, who leads the team in aces (40) but was out with the flu. “However, I will say I had full confidence that we could go in and win with the squad we had.”

The Saints stuck with their 5-1, with Betty Bartok setting up Mary McClarrinon and Noelle Razee for 17 and 15 kills, respectively. Jessie Allen led the way defensively with 19 digs, but West Grand’s stiff defense disrupted the young Saints — who have eight sophomores on the roster — from doing what they do best.

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“West Grand is a great team. Their defense was very good. They picked up a ton of balls, and kind of took our offense away,” Branson said. “It just wasn’t our night. It didn’t feel like Vail Christian volleyball.”

After rallying to defeat No. 7 Meeker 3-2 on Sept. 13, the Saints have gone 4-4, a stretch which has included a pair of tough five-set losses to De Beque and Rangely. Branson said she’s been reflecting on how to better support her team in practices and games so they can have more confidence pulling through when a set isn’t going according to plan.

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“I continue to instill positive confidence in them, and want them to believe in themselves when we are having an off night,” she said. “I truly believe we have the talent to pull through and get these wins. So again, it’s just a learning opportunity.”

Vail Christian won’t return to the court until an Oct. 23 rematch with Vail Mountain School. Branson hopes the break will bring rest and offer a reset.

“Hopefully, we just come back super healthy, pumped, and ready to work hard to finish out the season,” she said.

Weather forces changes to 4A state tennis tournament schedule

Due to the threat of inclement weather forecasted for this weekend, the Colorado High School Activities Association has altered the 4A boys tennis individual state championships taking place at Pueblo City Park.

Originally scheduled to run Thursday through Saturday, the tournament has been shortened to just Thursday and Friday to avoid projected rain.

“Thursday’s schedule will remain the same with the first and quarterfinal round matches, while Friday’s schedule would be extended to include the championship finals and third place matches,” a press release stated. “If the rain moves in quicker than anticipated on Friday, there is the possibility that playbacks may be eliminated to ensure the tournament is completed.”

Vail Christian has nine players competing in Pueblo, including defending state champion Daniel Blanch, who took the No. 1 singles regional crown a week ago. 

Blanch defeated Dylan Tuna 6-0, 6-1 in his first round match on Thursday and dispatched Andrew Rettig 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. Fellow senior Wyat Fisher was 2-0 as well, taking down Abram Twede 6-1, 6-1 in his No. 2 singles first-round match and gliding past Travis Nguyen 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. Saints sophomore Teddy Brunner defeated Air Academy senior Keegan Cornelius 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 in No. 3 singles, but fell to Xalen Mitchell 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Vail Christian’s No. 2 doubles team of Dani Lazaro-Cristobal and Grant Studness fell to Air Academy 7-5, 6-2 in the first round. The Saints No. 3 doubles team of Blake Kirkham and Javier Hernandez won their first-round match 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 before falling to Kent Denver in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-3.