It’s hunting season, and the Cowboys pulled a bear tag. The GHS volleyball team dominated its most crucial game of the season, beating the 10-1 Cedaredge Bruins at home on Oct. 1. The massive league victory moves the Cowboys to a 13-2 overall record, and 6-0 in the 3A Western Slope League.
Heading into the matchup, GHS sat first in the league, with the Bruins hot on their tails at second. Cedaredge polished off Basalt, Aspen and Moffat County in league games earlier this season, only losing to West Grand High School in an August tournament.
In what was set to be a hotly contested rivalry, Head Coach Lindsay Hart was confident in her team’s cohesion.
“This team is playing for each other, and putting in the work for the team as a whole — it’s everything I could want as a coach,” Hart said. “If they can hold their mental game together, this group can go places.”
Thanks to an electric student section, dressed head-to-toe in camouflage, the Cowboys started hot in the first set. Aubriel Loken found a serving groove, and led GHS to a 6-0 start. Amara Lock and Sienna Gomez sent the Cowboy Bullpen into raptures with massive kills at the net, and GHS gained momentum with a 25-20 win in the first.
The Bruins jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the second, but the Cowboys proved their superiority with a mid-set comeback. Aubrey Welfelt led the way on both offense and defense. The junior turned the tide in favor of the Cowboys with monstrous kills and key blocks. GHS tied it up at 12-12, and never looked back. It ended 25-17 for the Cowboys, and the “overrated” chants, directed towards the Bruins, began in the student section.
GHS accelerated full speed into the third set with a sweep at the forefront of the team’s mind. The Bruins dug deep on defense, however, and battled back 19-19. Cedaredge fought off the sweep, absorbing the Cowboys hard hitting to win the third 25-20.
The Cowboys took full advantage of the Bruin fatigue in the fourth, jumping out 16-11. Senior Rose Kowal calmed the storm on defense, and the offensive barrage from Gomez and Welfelt finally took effect. Kathryn Frey sealed an eight-point advantage with a massive kill, and the Cowboys steamed ahead. It finished 25-16 for the Cowboys after a final blow from Gomez.
GHS will return home on Oct. 17 for another key league matchup against the Basalt Longhorns.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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