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RIFLE - On their last night to play volleyball in their home gym, Rifle spikers Abbey Schmidt and Kori Kosht gave it everything they had.
Unfortunately for the two Bear seniors, their efforts came against the best team in the Class 4A Western Slope League - Battle Mountain. The Huskies played like the 15-2 team they are, beating Rifle 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-14) on Tuesday night.
Rifle was optimistic coming into the night, hoping to pull off an upset during its home finale for its first league win of the season.
"We felt like this was it, this would be the perfect time to come through and play our hardest and get the job done," Kosht said.
The Bears may not have gotten the win, but they did fight hard. Despite being noticeably shorter than the Battle Mountain players, Schmidt and Kosht attacked the net, dropping in a few kills and rejecting a few from the Huskies.
"Rifle is doing a good job building this program," said Battle Mountain head coach Brian Doyon. "I think (Rifle head coach) Geneva (Farr) is doing a good job."
With Schmidt's jump serve and Kosht's consistent serves, the two helped fuel a great run in game two. After being down 24-10, Rifle rallied back to score 10 straight points before losing the game.
"I think we started playing some defense, digging a little bit and blocking," Kosht said. "We tried to get it going, but we just need to push it a little more."
Sandy Samson and Abby Rath also found open floor space on the Battle Mountain side of the court, helping score some points.
"They had moments when we fought back, and you have to look at that as the defending league champions and they are a very classy team," Farr said. "I respect them highly.
The Battle Mountain win secured its third straight WSL title for the Huskies (12-1 WSL), who will now host the District 5 tournament next weekend. The Huskies were led by Hannah Ellison with 10 kills and seven more from Devon Abbott. The Huskies also served up 12 aces as a team in the match.
"I am happy with the work the girls are putting into the program," Doyon said. "It's a successful program. ... You can't not be happy with a winning season.
Battle Mountain will next host Glenwood Springs (5-7 WSL, 9-8 overall) on Thursday.
Rifle (0-13 WSL, 4-15 overall) will play its final match of the season on Thursday at Eagle Valley. Even if Rifle can't pull off an upset against the Devils, Farr said she is proud of her girls and a league win will come sooner or later.
"My heart just breaks for them to see if we can beat the cycle, just wanting to get that one win," Farr said fighting tears after the match. "I believe Rifle's cycle will be around next year or the next year. It will come eventually. Every girl that has stepped on this court the last four years has bettered the program and that is the way I look at it."
Unfortunately for the two Bear seniors, their efforts came against the best team in the Class 4A Western Slope League - Battle Mountain. The Huskies played like the 15-2 team they are, beating Rifle 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-14) on Tuesday night.
Rifle was optimistic coming into the night, hoping to pull off an upset during its home finale for its first league win of the season.
"We felt like this was it, this would be the perfect time to come through and play our hardest and get the job done," Kosht said.
The Bears may not have gotten the win, but they did fight hard. Despite being noticeably shorter than the Battle Mountain players, Schmidt and Kosht attacked the net, dropping in a few kills and rejecting a few from the Huskies.
"Rifle is doing a good job building this program," said Battle Mountain head coach Brian Doyon. "I think (Rifle head coach) Geneva (Farr) is doing a good job."
With Schmidt's jump serve and Kosht's consistent serves, the two helped fuel a great run in game two. After being down 24-10, Rifle rallied back to score 10 straight points before losing the game.
"I think we started playing some defense, digging a little bit and blocking," Kosht said. "We tried to get it going, but we just need to push it a little more."
Sandy Samson and Abby Rath also found open floor space on the Battle Mountain side of the court, helping score some points.
"They had moments when we fought back, and you have to look at that as the defending league champions and they are a very classy team," Farr said. "I respect them highly.
The Battle Mountain win secured its third straight WSL title for the Huskies (12-1 WSL), who will now host the District 5 tournament next weekend. The Huskies were led by Hannah Ellison with 10 kills and seven more from Devon Abbott. The Huskies also served up 12 aces as a team in the match.
"I am happy with the work the girls are putting into the program," Doyon said. "It's a successful program. ... You can't not be happy with a winning season.
Battle Mountain will next host Glenwood Springs (5-7 WSL, 9-8 overall) on Thursday.
Rifle (0-13 WSL, 4-15 overall) will play its final match of the season on Thursday at Eagle Valley. Even if Rifle can't pull off an upset against the Devils, Farr said she is proud of her girls and a league win will come sooner or later.
"My heart just breaks for them to see if we can beat the cycle, just wanting to get that one win," Farr said fighting tears after the match. "I believe Rifle's cycle will be around next year or the next year. It will come eventually. Every girl that has stepped on this court the last four years has bettered the program and that is the way I look at it."
