Rampart

Inside the rowdy Rampart gym on the stormy night of 10/27, Coronado  took on their highest ranked opponent this season, the 5A #4 Rampart Rams. If the Cougars win, they take home the title of league co-champions; if Rampart wins, they become the sole champions Colorado Springs Metro League and Coronado drops to third place in the league behind Pine Creek. The direness of the situation was tangible from the moment the players took the floor, and you could feel the nerves even as a spectator.

As the points began to climb in the first set, the Cougars accumulated a 14-7 lead bolstered  by great passes by senior Julia Austin and two kills early in the match by Mara Abernethy, 11. The Rams got on a roll, and were soon up 25-24. The set on the line for Coronado, the Cougars tied it up, and managed to hold on in a neck and neck dead heat, 25-25, 26-26, 27-27. Rampart ended up winning the heart-racing set 29-27.

In the second set, the Cougars narrowly lost 25-20, but came back in the third set and overtook the Rams 26-24. The Cougars could not manage to win another set however, and finished the set with a 3-1 loss.

Palmer Ridge Tournament

Over the weekend pre-Halloween weekend, the Cougars played in the Palmer Ridge Tournament.  The easily advanced to the semifinals after beating Broomfield and Discovery Canyon in pool play. In the semifinals, Coronado encountered stiff competition against the 4A #10 Silver Creek. After losing the first set 20-25, Coronado came back to win the second 25-20. In an incredibly tight third set the Cougars lost 27-29, but took the fourth set 25-15 decidedly to take the match to five. In the end the Cougars prevailed, taking on the 3A #2 Bayfield. After two exceptionally close and exciting sets, however, the scores 25-23, 31-29, the cougars faltered after hours of play, dropping the third set  25-12.

With the Cougars’ great 2nd place finish over the weekend, they finished the regular season ranked #13 in 5A, one spot out of hosting a regional. They will head to to #12 Ralston Valley in Arvada for what is likely to be a very close regional.

“We are very excited for regionals, and are ready to do some damage,” said Mallory Brown, “We really would like to show our strength as a team and hopefully make it to state.”

The Cougars will also take on 13-10, #25 Legacy. Hopeful to go to state, Coronado is focusing on staying in the game mentally and keeping their in tact in serve receive.

Good luck Cougars!