Cougar volleyball celebrates a winning week on the court

The Niwot High School volleyball team had an impressive week, showcasing its strength with victories against the Fairview Knights and the Centaurus Warriors, even as the Cougars faced a setback against the Broomfield Eagles.

In their home match against the Knights on Monday, Sept. 23, Niwot won decisively in a 3-0 sweep, with scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-13. The Cougars' offensive strategy was relentless, achieving a team-hitting percentage of .234 with a total of 64 attacks and 25 kills. Senior setter Anne Haley was a standout player, finishing with a perfect 100% kill rate, landing four kills on all four attempts.

Seniors Jiselle Sales and Brooke Caquelin also contributed significantly, adding three and four kills, respectively. Niwot's serving proved crucial as well, with eleven aces and a serving percentage of 90.3%. Haley shone behind the line, serving three aces and adding to the team's momentum throughout the match.

Defensively, the Cougars were solid, recording 28 digs, led by junior Elise Arends with six. The girls also excelled at the net, securing two total blocks, which contributed to their dominant performance against Fairview.

However, Niwot faced a tough challenge in their Tuesday, Sept. 24, match at Broomfield High School. Niwot fell in the first set 25-20, but found hope in the second one with a 25-19 win. Despite this, the Cougars lost the next two games, 25-23 and 25-19.

Haley continued to be a key player, contributing four kills, while junior Bella Berger shined with seven kills and a serving ace. Defensively, Niwot managed twenty-seven digs and three blocks. Sales and fellow senior Jade West played vital roles in keeping the team competitive.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Cougars returned home to take on Centaurus High School. They rebounded impressively from Tuesday's loss, winning the match 3-1 in the last three sets. The team's offensive abilities were on full display, with Berger leading the team with nine kills and a stellar .250 hitting percentage. On the defensive side, junior Eloise Vanselus led the charge with eight digs, effectively stifling any attempts by the Warriors to mount a comeback.

With an overall record of 8-3 and a league record of 4-1, the Cougars are well-positioned to continue their journey through the season. Looking ahead, Niwot will play the Silver Creek Raptors away on Oct. 1 and will return home on Oct. 3 to face the Legacy High School Lightning at 6:30 p.m.