Fort Lewis College knew it wouldn’t be back in its friendly confines for more than a month.
So the Skyhawks handled their business and looked toward the future – a place they’ve been focused on since the spring.
The Fort Lewis College volleyball team swept its alumnae game 27-25, 25-13, 25-21 on Saturday at Whalen Gymnasium in their first game action under new head coach Kelley Rifilato.
The alumni game marked the end to an offseason of changes for the Skyhawks. Former head coach Shelly Aaland was fired in April, and Rifilato was hired away from Bayfield High School in June to take the reins of a team that went 11-16 overall and 7-12 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last year.
Getting through a period of turmoil and uncertainty required a sense of unity, senior Hannah Starbuck said.
“Some of it was tough, but sometimes it wasn’t because we were all in it together,” she said. “We were all a unit and everything.”
Then came the challenge of working in a junior transfer at setter and five freshmen and learning not only the new coach’s system but her expectations, mannerisms and style.
But, Starbuck said, so far so good.
“It’s been very good,” Starbuck said. “It’s been a bit of a challenge because she likes a fast-paced game, but I think if we play fast-paced, chances are we’ll have a high winning percentage.”
It was a change for Rifilato, too. She spent the last six years cutting her teeth at BHS, qualifying for the state tournament the last four years and accumulating two third-place finishes in Class 3A. But, even for as good a coach as Rifilato’s results suggest, there’s still a learning curve in switching levels.
Rifilato said she’s pleased with the progress FLC has made from the opening day of fall practice to this point, but she added that before opening the season with weekend matches starting Friday in San Bernardino, Calif., there’s another level to reach.
Sonoma State, which FLC will face in its first game Friday, is receiving votes, and host Cal State-San Bernardino, Friday’s second opponent, is ranked No. 14 in Division II. And RMAC foes Colorado Mines (No. 11), Regis (No. 13) and Adams State (No. 23) are ranked, as well.
For some players, the expectations are known. But some lesser known commodities will need to fit their pieces into the puzzle, including Kennedy Clark – a prep standout at BHS then later Durango High School.
“I feel like we’ve got some quality freshmen. ... I feel like they’re going to contribute as much as the older guys,” Rifilato said. “So I think it’s a great mesh of young and old.”
And others need to be ready to step up at a moment’s notice. Rifilato likes to have the option of running different formations, which means she craves versatility from her roster.
“I said, you know, ‘I frustrate you, but I think it’s going to make you better in the long run because you’re going to be versatile and not so one-dimensional,’” Rifilato said. “And that’s been my challenge to them for two weeks now. They’re used to doing one thing.”
After Saturday, there’s little time to waste. The long road back to Whalen Gym on Oct. 4 for the home opener is 12 matches long, and there are goals to be met along the way with a bigger prize in mind, starting with a climb up the RMAC standings and a return to the RMAC Tournament.
rowens@durangoherald.com
