Niwot volleyball cruises to regional title and advances to state

Niwot volleyball is heading back to state for the first time since its runner-up finish in 2018. On Nov. 6, the No. 6 seed Cougars blew through two opponents at the Region 6 qualifying tournament to earn one of 12 berths at the upcoming Class 4A state championships, slated for Nov. 11-13 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.

"They did phenomenal," fifth-year head coach Daisha Agho said afterwards. "Going to state is huge, and this team deserves it. They've worked really hard, and the improvement they've made since the beginning of the season has just been amazing."

As they have been all season, the Cougars were led on the day by captain Zoe Gibbs, appearing in her final matches on the home court. The University of Northern Colorado-bound senior had a total of 22 kills in the two wins, bringing her team-leading total to 227 on the year, which is fourth in the Longs Peak League. She also had 10 aces on the day, seven of them on 24 serve attempts in Niwot's first game.

"We had our moments where it was a little iffy, but everything really came together, and we played so well as a team," Gibbs said. "It's my last game at home, so it's definitely bittersweet, but I'm so happy with how it ended."

The day definitely ended better for Niwot than it started, as the Cougars had one of the aforementioned "iffy moments" early on against No. 31 Elizabeth. Whether it was excitement for the post-season or just a case of the nerves, Niwot's hitters had trouble keeping the ball in-bounds to start the set, and the Cougars quickly found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-1 deficit.

Fortunately, Niwot soon regained its footing, and momentum in the game switched sides. Behind Gibbs' deceptive serve, the Cougars rattled off nine straight points to take a 10-7 lead, which they never relinquished.

"From the sideline, her serve doesn't look that tough, but if it's coming at you, it's moving all over the place," Agho said. The senior has 48 aces on the year, sixth overall in the league. "You can't follow the ball, and, at the last minute, it moves, and you have to adjust to it. She's also very effective at the jump float with her height, so it's also dropping at the same time."

Niwot went on to win the second two sets easily, 25-16 and 25-11. Gibbs ended the match with 10 kills, as did senior Morgan Daugherty, while sophomore Addison Engle had nine, and juniors Grace Demmel (4), and Paige Demosthenes (6) combined for 10.

Niwot picked up from there in the first set against No. 19 Eagle Valley, and cruised to a 25-16 win, thanks to seven kills from Gibbs. In the second set, however, the Cougars fell victim to more "iffy" moments, in the form of miscommunication and unforced errors.

As they did against Elizabeth, the Cougars fell behind steeply to start the set, but this time the rebound was slower to come. Down 3-9, the Cougars clawed back to within two, but then lost five straight points to fall behind by seven, and it took a time-out by Agho to get them back on track.

"We know that's a weakness of ours, and it's not a surprise," she said about her team's streaky nature. "But they dig out of it every time. I'm not nervous about it. I just have to try to change the momentum somehow, and, usually, it's a lineup change in the back or having to call a timeout."

The time-out seemed to do the trick. Behind more solid serving from Engle, Niwot finally managed to tie the score at 20-20 and then held on for a 25-23 win.

The comeback seemed to take the fight out of the Devils, and Niwot took advantage. Behind even more excellent serving, this time from junior librero Varshini Panuganti, the Cougars took a 7-1 lead of their own, which they eventually grew to 15 points, before finally taking the set 25-10. Gibbs ended with 12 kills, and Daugherty ended with nine, including one for the winning point in the second set.

Elsewhere for Niwot, freshman setter Anne Haley had 62 total assists, bringing her total for the year to 623, second in the Longs Peak League. She also had three timely kills in the Eagle Valley match, as well as three aces. Panuganti also had three aces, and led the team in digs with 31.

Not coincidentally, the triumph at regionals comes after Niwot's most successful regular season since 2018, with 20 wins and just three losses, all sustained at a tournament in early September. Along the way, the Cougars dispatched Longs Peak League rivals Thompson Valley and Frederick to claim the conference title, also a first since 2018. The Cougars advance to the state tournament as Class 4A's No. 6 seed, and will face league foe Berthoud (18-8, 8-5) in the first round.

And it wasn't just the final home game for the Niwot seniors. Last month, Agho accepted an administrator position in the Thompson Valley School District, and will be leaving both her teaching and coaching roles at Niwot, something she called one of the hardest decisions she's ever made. In her first four seasons at the helm, Agho compiled a 66-29 record, won the conference and regional titles twice, and took the Cougars to the Class 4A state finals in 2018.

"These girls are the most kind and respectful I've ever been around," she said. "I couldn't think of a better group to be taking to state for the final time. My staff and assistants and the parents are amazing. I have been very lucky and fortunate to have this opportunity to be around them."

Niwot takes the court for the first round of the Class 4A volleyball championships on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. For more information about attending or watching the tournament, visit CHSAA.now.