Niwot volleyball's new strategy for staying competitive

The Niwot High School girls volleyball team is gearing up for an exciting 2024-2025 season under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Engel. Coming off a strong performance last year, when they placed second in their league and secured a spot in the state playoffs, the Cougars are looking to build on that success with a new approach to the game. This season, the team will emphasize defense and ball control, a shift from the aggressive hitting strategy they have employed in the recent past.

Last season, Niwot volleyball had a memorable run, highlighted by a victory over Longmont High School in regionals, which punched their ticket to the state playoffs for the third consecutive year. However, their time at the state playoffs was short-lived, as they struggled to find their rhythm and were eliminated after two games. Despite the early exit, Coach Engel remains optimistic about the future, recognizing the team's resilience and the valuable experience gained.

As the team prepares for their season opener on Wednesday, Aug 28, against Boulder High School at home, Engel has high expectations for his squad, even with the challenges of moving up to a new league and classification.

Niwot will now compete in the Granite Peaks League, a mix of 4A and 5A schools, including Longmont High School, Silver Creek High School, Fairview High School, Monarch High School, and Broomfield High School. This shift means the Cougars will face tougher competition, but Engel is confident in his team's ability to rise to the occasion.

"Our goals aren't going to change just because we've changed divisions or classifications," Engel said. "Every year, we expect to be competitive, and this year is no exception to that. The makeup of our team is quite different than it has been the last three or four years. In the past, we've had a lot of height, but this year we're focusing on ball control, which has been evident in our practices so far."

This season, the Cougars will rely on their returning starters to lead the charge. Senior setter Anne Haley is back for her fourth year as a starter, providing stability and experience as she runs the team's offense. Jade West, a versatile athlete who has also excelled in track and field as a two-time state champion in shot put, will be a key player to watch.

Junior Bella Berger, who is entering her second year as a starter, has been a role model for her teammates with her strong work ethic and dedication to the sport. Another player to keep an eye on is Elise Arends, who will be stepping into the libero role this season. Engel praised Arends' transformation and believes she will be a crucial asset in implementing the team's new ball control strategy.

With a roster that may lack height compared to previous years, Niwot will focus on smart play, defense, and keeping opponents off balance. "We're working on different things because the game has to look different," Engel explained. "We have to look for different ways to score and keep the other side of the net off kilter. That's what we've really been spending some time on, and frankly, we're going to continue with that."

As they prepare for the challenges ahead, the Cougars are also looking forward to some key matchups, particularly against their longtime rival, Silver Creek. "We always have a great rivalry with Silver Creek," said Engel. "The girls look forward to it quite a bit, and the school in general gets behind it during what we call 'Creek Week,' when all the fall sports teams play against Silver Creek."