Niwot volleyball goes 2-2 in elite tournament

The Niwot High School Cougars split four games at the Cheyenne Mountain tournament in Colorado Springs over the weekend. The tournament invites only go to the top 10 teams in Class 3A, the top 12 teams in 4A and the top six teams in 5A, based on criteria that extend over the last three seasons. After the tournament, Niwot accepted an invitation to return for the next two seasons.

Each match was best-of-five-games, with team standings based on cumulative scores. The Cougars began Friday with a match against Class 4A Doherty High School, which Niwot won 3-1, losing the second set, 25-23, but dominating in the other three sets.

Niwot then took on Class 5A Rampart High School and lost, 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19). Rampart is ranked 21st in Class 5A. On Saturday, the Cougars played 4A Montrose High School in an early morning game, losing 3-1 in a hard-fought match. Niwot took the first set into extended play, but eventually fell, 30-28. In the second set, the Cougars won in extended play, 28-26. The Cougars couldn't maintain the momentum, losing the next two sets, 25-19 and 25-17.

The Cougars finished the weekend on a high note, beating Mead High School 3-0, in another tough match. Niwot won the first match in extended play, 28-26, then followed with two 25-22 victories.

Coach Tony Engel was pleased with the team's overall performance. "We're getting used to having Anne Haley back from an ankle injury," he said. "I think our best volleyball is in front of us."

Haley, who was all-conference as a setter in both of her freshman and sophomore seasons, was not easy to replace during her injury, but Engel describes her as back at 100%. In her absence, sophomore setter Sienna Knight stepped into the setter role and earned praise from her coach. "She's a great little athlete," Engel said. "She ran relays at state track as a freshman."

Niwot will be matched up against No. 11 seed Longmont High School when regionals begin next Saturday. Denver North, seeded 26th, is also in the Region 11 3-team bracket, with the winner moving on to the next round. The Cougars are currently ranked No. 14. "It will be nice to stay close to home," Engel said. "It would be nice to get some fans out on Saturday."