Demon tenacity excites new coach Lively

GLENWOOD SPRINGS — So far, so good for Sean Lively.

The first-year Glenwood Springs volleyball coach is taking to his scrappy team, which has flashed its blue-collar approach to the game in practice.

“The girls are really focused and dedicating themselves,” Lively said. “They’re working as a team. Their goal is to compete at the highest level.”

The work ethic-blessed Demons do have a number of holes to fill after losing five seniors to graduation from a team that went 9-10 last season. Just two returners logged substantial varsity minutes last year — seniors Toni Gottschalck and Kelly Lawson. Also back are seniors Billie McCauly and Hannah Thimsen.

Glenwood also boasts a group of hungry youngsters who have the ability to contribute early on. Juniors Taryn Pearce, Leah Mansfield and Mckenzi Caple are a few names to keep an eye on.

Lively is banking on depth and balance to carry his new team far.

“We have a pretty solid bench,” he said. “We ended up keeping 13 girls on varsity. We have a well-balanced bench. Even though some of the girls might not get a ton of playing time, it’s still pretty good.”

The Demons open the season Friday and Saturday with the Demon Invitational at Glenwood Springs High School. Teams in town for the tourney will be Grand Junction, Grand Junction Central, Steamboat Springs, West Grand, Denver Christian, Nucla, Aspen and Meeker.

Bears expect ‘exceptional season’

RIFLE — Rifle volleyball coach Geneva Farr, whose Bears have suffered through high-scale struggles in recent years, expects a turnaround in 2008.
A bevy of returning players figure into those expectations.

Back are seniors Sandy Samson and Morgan Patrick, juniors Kalli Leigh and Brianna Bascom and sophomore Adrienne Schmidt.

“This is the largest returning group, if not
the most experienced, that I can say I’ve had here,” the fifth-year coach proclaimed. “They’re well-rounded.”

Also on board for 2008 is Coal Ridge transfer Amber Lyons, who did not play volleyball last year but is expected to contribute mightily.

“I think we’ll have an exceptional season,” Farr prognosticated. “I would be totally surprised if we didn’t. … People will see a difference, a change.”

2008 4A Volleyball Glenwood Springs Head coach: Sean Lively, first year. Key returners: Senior Toni Gottschalck, senior Kelly Lawson. Seniors lost: Carly Stillman, Jessica Betts, Kelsie Hert, Chelsea Vallario, Avery Denney. How the Demons fared in 2007: Posted a 9-10 overall record in the regular season and 5-9 mark in the 4A Western Slope League. First match: Friday and Saturday’s Demon Invitational tournament at Glenwood. In pool play, the Demons play Meeker on Friday (6 p.m.) and then Aspen (10 a.m.) and Grand Junction Central (noon) on Saturday. Championship bracket play is slotted for Saturday afternoon. Rifle Head coach: Geneva Farr, fifth year. Key returners: Senior Sandy Samson, senior Morgan Patrick, junior Kalli Leigh, junior Brianna Bascom, sophomore Adrienne Schmidt. Seniors lost: Abbey Schmidt, Kori Kosht. How the Bears fared in 2007: Went 4-16 overall in the regular season and 0-14 in the 4A Western Slope League. First match: Sept. 5-6 Alamosa Tournament.