Niwot opens long-delayed season with back-to-back wins

Fourth-year Niwot volleyball coach Daisha Agho isn't easily impressed, but the Cougars' dominating performance against rival Silver Creek in the 2020-21 home opener had her at a literal loss for words. With solid contributions from both returning veterans and some new faces, Niwot easily handled the Raptors in three straight sets, and managed to exceed Agho's already high expectations.

"I came into the final huddle and I had no idea what to say to them," she said after Niwot's 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 win over the Raptors on March 18. "That was the most amazing thing I've just seen-the leadership that I've seen from Varshini [Panuganti], taking over the libero piece...and then for Angie [Xu] to step in and do what she's been doing. I really can't say enough good things about all of them."

It was evident early on that Niwot was ready for a rematch with its closest foe, a team that beat them twice during the disappointing 2019 season. Led by veteran Zoe Gibbs and the aforementioned Xu, the Cougars jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first set, as Silver Creek struggled to match their energy. Though the Raptors would catch up, the 10-1 scoring run from the Cougars eventually sealed the 25-15 loss.

The second and third matches were more even-handed, but the Cougars controlled play both in phases of the game. Niwot's attack was particularly effective as the game went on, with Gibbs and seniors Natasha Terekhova and MacKenzie Demmel making a number of timely kills. The veteran trio combined for 22 of Niwot's 34 kills, and Demmel led the team in blocks with four.

"Gibby played really well tonight on the outside," Agho said of the third-year varsity hitter. "We've asked her to step into that leadership role to where she's normally a middle, and she's playing all the way around, and doesn't get a break."

However, a trio of newcomers, led by sophomore Xu, also share much of the credit for the high powered offense, according to Ahgo.

"Angie's really stepped up and played that role beautifully," she said of the first-year varsity setter, who posted 26 assists on the night. "She's mixing the ball. She's setting, and I have no idea who she's setting the ball to, which is what we want, so the other side can't read us."

The Cougars also saw scoring from sophomore Grace Demmel and left-handed hitter Morgan Daughtery, a transfer from Silver Creek. Agho is excited about the junior's addition to the front line, and predicted she will bring "a whole new dimension on the right side of the court." Daughtery ended the match against her former team with six kills and a block.

On the defensive side, Panuganti, playing a more familiar position this season, had 11 digs on the night, while Gibbs and Terekhova had 12 and 10, respectively.

With the win, Niwot moved to 2-0 on the young season, which has been compressed to 14 games instead of the typical 23. The Cougars weren't as quite as sharp in the opening night win over Roosevelt, according to Agho, but it was a "wonderful feeling" to see them on the court again, after the unexpected 500-day layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also marked the debut of Agho's two new assistants: Tony Engle, a former collegiate volleyball player, and Aimee Keronen, whose coaching repertoire now includes three sports and four separate teams.

Just as importantly, the two-game winning streak confirmed Agho's notions about her team and their potential for the 2021 season. With new talent on offense and more experience on defense, the Cougars should be back on a postseason path after a disappointing 8-15 finish in 2019.

"I feel like there's so much talent on this squad, and piecing all those pieces together to make it all work as one is going to be so much fun to watch and coach." Agho said. "And the camaraderie between them is there. They are so kind and so willing to help each other. That means that we also get that healthy competition. They're not afraid to go after each other and make each other better. But they also know when to just be a friend. The team aspect, the leadership side, and that cohesion piece is already there."