GHS setter has the volleyball team in rhythm

Addison Claus wants to set the stage.

From the back row, she gets the GHS volleyball team offense started with a pass. As the ball comes in, she wants the gym to explode with excitement — even if she’s not on the final end of the point.

The Cowboys rode a season best five-game win streak into a clash with Montrose — where the streak ended with a sweep by the Red Hawks. The connection between middle hitter Rose Kowal and Claus has been a match-opening catalyst.

“What I love about it is I get to make her look terrific,” Claus said. “It’s always so cool knowing you had a big part in making that huge play.”

Claus has connected on the fly with her hitters this season. She was never a setter and drilled practice reps to find out the right height, speed and spin the hitters wanted. As middle hitter, Kowal is always in search of an explosive play, a big kill, to start the game.

“I want to make a statement,” Kowal said. “I work hard for this and my team works hard for this. The start is super important because the whole game is a game of momentum and energy. Individually, it gives me a confidence boost too.”

Because they’ve grown so familiar in their rotations, with just a quick look before a play, they are certain a point will follow.

“We’ve pulled off some crazy game-opening hits,” GHS coach Lindsay Hart said. “To get that first kill and the momentum that comes with it is fun.”

But quick starts weren’t always the norm for GHS. It took time, but the Cowboys have found their groove on offense. The girls have established a chemistry between their backline and hitters. There’s an unspoken bond between them that translates to success on the court.

Traditionally, the Cowboys have had a strong defense on their back row. Their ability to absorb service, receive and set up an attack put them in position to thwart an opponent’s momentum and build their own offense.

Also, when an opponent gets its offense rolling, the passing game has to keep its shape to counterattack. It took GHS time to iron out the nuances involved, but Hart said they’ve grasped the concepts required to be successful.

“We learned how to play to each other’s strengths and that’s really cool,” Hart said. “It took a few games to figure that out. It’s been fun to watch them grow into a team and become a force to be reckoned with.”

It’s a pressure-packed moment as the setters have a split second to react to an incoming shot. They must know where their hitter is and put them in a position to make a strong swing at the ball.

If the operation is off just a tick the attack isn’t optimized. Conversely, the hitters must time their jump, their approach and presentation to the setter as an indicator that they are ready.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the hitter and setter,” Hart said. “You have to have a good offense to make points. You can’t just rely on other teams to make errors.”

(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)