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Durango volleyball rise up in final '09 defeat
Herald Staff ReportOne week after missing an opportunity to steal away Grand Junction Central's first Southwestern League title in 12 years, the Durango High School volleyball team suffered another four-set loss to Amy Kame and the powerful Warrior hitters Saturday at Districts, concluding their 2009 season.
"We fought hard," DHS head coach Robin Oliger said. "When we needed to come together at the very end, we did." The No. 18 seed in the 48-team state tournament, Durango (14-7) beat Fruita Monument and lost to Doherty to set up the must-win finale against host Central (18-1) in the Class 5A, District 6 Tournament.
"That was the match of the year," Oliger said. "Both teams were playing great. We played the best we played all year long." In the last action in the red and black for seniors Analena Provost, Tonya Mulkey, Neely Surmeier and Laken Hyson, the Demons sat tied at a set apiece after two, then lost a heartbreaker in the third that put them on the brink.
DHS had set point for a 2-1 advantage when the referee overruled the line judge, Oliger said.
"It was just an egregious call. We had all the momentum, and it took the wind out of our sails." The Demons went on to lose the set 30-28, then lost the fourth 25-17.
Junior Rachel Miller had 17 digs, junior Julia Lawton had 14 digs, and Mulkey led a varied attack with 33 assists.
"Everybody had great kill numbers," Oliger said. "It was the same way with blocking.
"Central's been tough all year, but we rise to the occasion." DHS made easy work of 38-seed Fruita in the day's first match - 25-21, 25-20 and 25-16.
"Against Fruita, it was kind of a businesslike thing," Oliger said. "We just came out and did the job." No. 10 Doherty (14-5) presented more of a challenge, having beaten the Demons 25-19 and 25-20 at the prestigious Cherry Creek Tournament early in the season.
"They've got a couple of really big hitters," Oliger said of the 25-21, 25-15, 25-22 loss.
Junior middle hitter Anne Marie Pettinato had five blocks and five kills for the Demons, who finished tied for second in the SWL with Montrose.
"I'm really happy with the players' effort in practices and matches this year; the parents dealing with the expenses and traveling to our matches; and my assistant coaches Erika Sansoni and Terene Foutz did a great job," Oliger said. "It feels like a successful season, even though we lost." heraldsports@durangoherald.com
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