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Steamboat volleyball falls at districts

Luke Graham

— The Steamboat Springs High School volleyball team’s season ended Saturday, when the Sailors lost both of their morning games in the district tournament at Eagle Valley.

Steamboat lost, 3-0, in its opening game to Mullen, before falling to Montezuma-Cortez, 3-1.

“It really comes down to we were outmatched today,” Steamboat coach Wendy Hall said. “They were a couple of teams, for sure Mullen, that were bigger than us size-wise. They played a faster game than we’re used to. They had bigger blockers and bigger hitters.”



After falling in the morning, Steamboat played much better in its second match against Montezuma-Cortez.

After falling behind, 2-0, Steamboat won the third game and led in the fourth game before Montezuma-Cortez closed out the match.



“They fought, and fought hard,” Hall said. “These two teams play a little faster version of volleyball than we do in our league.”

Steamboat, however, was at a distinct disadvantage before the day even started. Mullen and Montezuma-Cortez both play Class 5A regular season schedules before dropping down to play in Class 4A postseason play.

It’s the second straight season Steamboat’s fallen in the district tournament to teams that played 5A regular season schedules.

“It’s unfortunate it’s set up that teams in 5A get to come down and play 4A,” Hall said. “This is the second year in a row this has happened to us. But the bottom line is, we have to get better.”

Although Hall said she and the team were disappointed in how Saturday played out, she said this was a very special season.

Hall said from the first game to the last, she was able to coach one of her favorite teams throughout the year.

“Overall, I’m just proud of who they are,” Hall said. “I’m proud of the type of people they are. That, to me, is the bottom line and is more important than winning volleyball games. Obviously, we want to win, and it’s heart-wrenching to have our season end. But the way they represented themselves and Steamboat Springs High School – they’re just classy kids. They never turned on each other and always were encouraging. They never gave up the fight.”


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