Naomi Pinnecoose was focused. Intensity burned in Abby Chupp’s eyes. And by the end of three games, the Durango High School volleyball team wanted nothing more to do with the Montezuma-Cortez High School volleyball team.
No doubt, the evening of Oct. 21 proved to be a special one for M-CHS as the Panthers, energized by a large home crowd, defeated the Demons 25-22, 26-24, 25-20 at Ron Wright Memorial Gym.
With the win, M-CHS improved to 13-8 overall and 5-5 in the Southwest League. Durango dropped to 13-9 overall and 6-4 in the Southwest League.
Keying the Panthers victory was a type of focus and consistency not seen from M-CHS this season. Asked about her team’s stellar play, Panthers head coach Andi Pickens emphasized that it was born out of a renewed commitment to teamwork.
“We did super well,” said Pickens. “We played like a team and everything was in sync. It was awesome.”
Also contributing to the M-CHS victory was Naomi Pinnecoose, who hammered down numerous kills and made several spectacular digs. After the match, the senior spoke about her team’s win.
“We all played our hearts out and you could really tell,” said Pinnecoose. “We haven’t beaten Durango since (the 2008-09 season), so this was a huge win for us.”
During the first game, the Panthers jumped out to a 15-7 lead thanks to several kills by Chupp and solid serving by Rylee Lindsley.
The ball then became lodged in the rafters however, causing a brief delay and allowing the Demons to regain their composure and cut the Panthers lead to 21-20. M-CHS found its stride however, winning four of the game’s final six points to win the 25-22.
“Winning the first game was super important because how we play in the first game is usually how we play the rest of the match,” said Pinnecoose.
In the second game, M-CHS jumped out to a 13-10 before Durango came back to take a 23-21 lead. Three consecutive kills by Pinnecoose put the Panthers ahead 24-23 however, and M-CHS eventually won the set 26-24 after a hard kill by Kristin Pierce.
With members of the home crowd going wild, the Panthers jumped out to a 19-13 lead in the third game. Although Durango narrowed the gap to 21-20 after an ace by Sarah Lawton, the Panthers closed strong, winning three consecutive points before closing things out on a kill by Danielle McDonald.
As members of the home crowd cheered and players hugged and shed tears, M-CHS head coach Andi Pickens took a moment to acknowledge her team’s seniors.
“(Pinnecoose) is one of those girls who can wake everyone up and she has meant everything,” said Pickens. “(Chupp) has also been a big part of our success. Without her, our whole defense would be messed up.”
The Panthers close out their regular season in Monticello on Oct. 23 before entering a 4A Regional Tournament at a location that has yet to be determined.
Regardless of where M-CHS plays, players expressed confidence that this year’s time will qualify for state.
“We can definitely go to state if we keep our energy up,” said Chupp. “When we play together, we’re hard to beat.”