With 39 girls out for volleyball this season, and six of his top eight players returning from last year, veteran Grand Valley volleyball coach Dave Walck is optimistic that the 2019 Cardinals can end a two-year playoff drought and make a strong push to get into the regional round of the state 3A playoffs come November.

“Our goal is always to be competitive in this league (3A WSL), and we have our sights set on making the regional tournament at the end of the season,” said Walck, who is in his 27th season overall as a head volleyball coach.

“Delta looks to be the team to beat in our conference this year and Coal Ridge is not far behind. Roaring Fork is making strides and good things are happening up at Basalt.”

Year in and year out, the 3A WSL is plenty tough enough for Walck’s liking, but with a veteran group of seasoned, returning talent at his disposal, the coach set his team up for a non-league schedule that, on paper, looks like murderer’s row.

“We open the Glenwood Tournament with Denver Christian who is ranked number one in the 2A preseason rankings,” Walck said. “The second week of the season we travel to Denver and will take on Lutheran and Faith Christian who are ranked number one and number four in 3A. Steamboat and Meeker are also on the schedule, so we will play some teams that will hopefully make us better.”

With a veteran coach at the helm in Walck, and plenty of returning experience, the Cardinals may be able to challenge the front-runners in the 3A WSL. If they can make it through the challenging preseason schedule in one piece, look for Grand Valley to be a tough out on the volleyball court this season.

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