Blazers volleyball team upended by Green Valley

Matt O'Brien

Thursday, May 20, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

It's the point in the boys volleyball season where records can be tossed out the window. For most teams, this is not a major ordeal, but for Durango High it creates a rather daunting scenario.

Entering Wednesday's Class 4A Southern Zone Tournament, the Trailblazers were a perfect 20-0 (16-0 Sunset) against area competition. Despite these gaudy numbers, a loss in the postseason would jeopardize their dream of a winning a state title.

Perhaps this realization was too much for Durango to handle, as it dropped its opening-round match to Green Valley, the No. 4 seed from the Sunrise Division, 15-10, 9-15, 15-12.

The double-elimination format of the tournament keeps the Trailblazers' season alive, but makes their path to the zone championship (which also serves as the state championship) a tortuous one. Green Valley (13-7) advances in the winner's bracket to face Las Vegas (15-5), which defeated the No. 3 seed from the Sunset, Cheyenne (11-8), 15-5, 18-16.

"I thought we served well and did a good job of keeping the ball in play," said Green Valley coach Caroline Carpenter. "But it's a four-day tournament and this was only one day. We're going to take it one game at a time."

Durango coach Bob Kelly was so bothered by the loss he refused to comment. But he had little reason to be frustrated with his players. The Trailblazers performed admirably. The Gators, however, played near-perfect volleyball.

"I thought we had a good chance of winning the game (beforehand)," said Green Valley senior Greg Shavalier, who played a stellar all-around match. "We've been playing well as a team in practice. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going and take it all the way this year."

Niels Jensen had 19 kills for the Gators and Shavalier added 15. Senior setter Jeff Allen contributed 45 assists. Durango was led by Oscar Poort's 11 kills and David Doxey's 34 assists.

In other first-round action, Bonanza (13-7) upset Chaparral (16-5), the No. 1 seed from the Sunrise, 15-8, 11-15, 15-4.

"The kids played well together today," said Bonanza coach Kip Sweikert. "They really kept their heads in the game."

The Bengals were powered by Ryan Coy's 23 kills and John Gunderson's 50 assists.

In the early game, Western (15-5) sent defending champ Basic (14-6) to the loser's bracket, prevailing 15-13, 15-11.