Cougars volleyball extend unbeaten streak to 10

The Niwot volleyball team continued its march toward the 4A state title last week, notching straight-set victories against hard-hitting conference opponents Longmont and Mountain View. With just two conference matches remaining in the season, the Cougars are in sole possession of first place in the Northern League and are currently ranked third in the state in CHSAA’s RPI rankings.

On Oct. 11, the Cougars faced off against the crosstown rival Longmont Trojans for the second time this season. The Trojans, last year’s Northern League champions, have been plagued by injuries this season, and, coming into the match against Niwot, were a disappointing 5-4 in conference play. Before the match, the Trojans donned purple warmup gear to honor their teammate, senior Brenna Wicks, who is battling aplastic anemia.

Longmont kept the first two sets close but was unable to stop Niwot’s momentum in the third, falling 28-26, 27-25, 25-13. The Cougars’ Mackenzie Fidelak again came up big in the win, with 13 kills and a season-high four blocks. She also had two aces on the night, and 10 digs. Zoe Gonzales added another four blocks, while sophomore Emma Falk and freshman Emma Spiers each had one block apiece. Sophomore defensive specialist Ashley Bradbury led the Cougars in digs, with 25, and added an ace in the win.

On Oct. 13, the Cougars traveled to Loveland to take on the upstart Mountain View Mountain Lions, winning in straight sets 25-18, 25-16, 26-24. Coming into the match, the Mountain Lions had won five consecutive matches without dropping a single set.

Fidelak was again impressive on the night, with 14 kills, three blocks and two aces. Sophomore defensive specialist Rachel Priola, who had three aces and seven digs in the Longmont match, capped off her week with another eight digs and an ace. Senior Sarah Falk was strong on the attack with 10 kills, while senior Brynn Chavez chipped in with an ace and six digs.

The Cougars are heading into the final stretch of their regular season schedule, with just two conference matches remaining, against Greeley Central on Oct. 18 and Centaurus on Oct. 20. They face Holy Family in a nonconference match Oct. 24, and will close out the regular season with the Ponderosa Mustang Classic tournament in Colorado Springs, Oct. 28-29.

(10/11) — Niwot 3, Longmont 0

Niwot (12-3, 11-0) 27, 28, 25

Longmont (10-5, 5-5) 25, 26, 13

Kills — Mackenzie Fidelak 13, Sarah Falk 10, Audrey Richard 2, Emma Shiers 2, Brynn Chavez 1, Emma Falk 1, Zoe Gonzales 1

Blocks —Mackenzie Fidelak 3, Zoe Gonzales 4, Emma Falk 1, Emma Shiers 1

Digs — Ashley Bradbury 25, Brynn Chavez 10, Mackenize Fidelak 10, Sarah Falk 9, Rachel Priola 7, Zoe Gonzales 3, Audrey Richard 3, Emma Shiers 2, Courtney Smoljian 1

Aces — Rachel Priola 3, Brynn Chavez 2, Emma Falk 2, Mackenzie Fidelak 2, Sarah Falk 1, Ashley Bradbury 1

(10/13) — Niwot 3, Mountain View 0

Niwot (13-3, 12-0) 25, 25, 26

Mountain View (11-6, 8-6) 18, 16, 24

Kills — Mackenize Fidelak 14, Sarah Falk 10, Emma Falk 6, Emma Shiers 4, Zoe Gonzales 3

Blocks —Mackenzie Fidelak 3, Zoe Gonzales 3

Digs — Ashley Bradbury 17, Rachel Priola 8, Brynn Chavez 6, Mackenize Fidelak 6, Sarah Falk 5, Emma Shiers 4, Emma Falk 3, Courtney Smoljian 2, Zoe Gonzales 1,

Aces — Audrey Richard 3, Ashley Bradbury 2, Brynn Chavez 1, Rachel Priola 1