After one fiercely fought set, the Durango Demons settled into a groove.
Coming off a pair of road losses last weekend at Grand Junction Central, 3-1, and Fruita Monument, 3-2, the Durango High School volleyball team (6-5, 1-3 Class 4A/5A Southwestern League) picked up a clean 3-0 win against regional rival Montezuma-Cortez on Tuesday in Cortez.
“It was nice to pick up our first big league win,” DHS head coach Colleen Vogt said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “I told the girls we got back on track in more ways than having a win. We ran the offense we are capable of running, and it was fun to see that come back together.”
The first set was close despite Durango jumping out to an 8-1 lead. The Panthers (3-12, 0-3 SWL) claimed a lead of their own at 16-14, but Durango battled back to tie it at 24. Two consecutive Montezuma-Cortez errors gave the Demons the set, 26-24.
“We didn’t get flustered and knew how to close the game out,” Vogt said. “We played solid and had big swings at the end.”
The second set was closely contended at 14-13 midway through, but Durango took control to secure a 25-20 win.
The third set was simply taking care of business, as the Demons cruised to a 25-14 win to wrap up the match.
Vogt said Maddie Robertson led the team in kills and credited the defense and passing for a big night. She also said Lia Henriksen and Sarah Waller came up with big blocks at the net.
Next up for Durango is another regional rivalry match against Bayfield at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Durango. The Demons already own a 3-2 win against the Wolverines this year in a game played Sept. 10 in Bayfield.
“I expect another rowdy game. We’re ready to play at home again and continue momentum,” Vogt said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
