Last year’s volleyball state champs on track to do it again

By Jared Harmon

Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 | midnight

The defending state champions are at it again.

After sweeping the state championship game against Durango last year, the Silverado girls volleyball team is back on the court and already off to an 9-1 start as of Monday.

With five returners starters from last year's championship squad, Silverado coach Jennifer Boeddeker said her team is in a good position to have another big year.

"We're very excited to get things started," Boeddeker said. "The experience our girls have brings a lot to the court. Our younger, newer players are getting a chance to play with girls who have been through a varsity season and the postseason."

Boeddeker said the returners and the junior varsity girls who have been called up are blending well and the upperclassmen are assuming important leadership positions.

"I think we're better than we were last year. I can see it in the way we play and the way we treat each other," senior Jessica Witt said. "We're really bonding well but we need to make sure we keep that strong because that's going to be a strength for us this year."

In a rematch of last year's state title game on Sept. 9, the 'Hawks showed repeats could be this year's theme as they pulled off another sweep of Durango in decisive fashion — 25-15, 25-22, 25-13.

Boeddeker said talent-wise the Skyhawks have few weaknesses, making a tough mental approach the key to their progression.

"Collectively we are very talented and from game to game we could have any one of our players step up," Boeddeker said. "Every player understands the role that they play and how much we count on them to fill that role. Everyone is going to be looked to be a leader at some point."

Captains Patti Flagg, a senior, and Marylynn Agae, a sophomore, will carry the bulk of that leadership responsibility while the Skyhawks will count on outside hitter Taylor Richard and middle Kaitlin Keathley to have another big year.

"I think we're further along now than we were at this point last year," junior Mary Ewoldt said. "We have a lot of experience left over from last year and the girls coming in are really good. I don't think the pressure to repeat will effect us much because we're all willing to push and keep getting better."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].