Being Glenwood Springs’ opposite hitter, Alex Rabb has to fulfill a number of duties for the Glenwood Springs volleyball team.

And while Rabb’s role might not be as flashy as some of her teammates, it’s just as effective.

“I’m not our team’s primary hitter. What I do is I have to hit the ball after a poor set, or I can be used as a surprise,” said Rabb.

Using the element of surprise as a weapon, Rabb played a key role in Glenwood’s march through last week’s team victory in the District B tournament.

“Being an opposite player, I have to defend the other team’s strong hitter, and one of my roles is to block the ball back,” said Rabb. “And I think I did an OK job of that last week.”

The senior’s steady play helped vault the Demons to Friday’s Class 4A state volleyball tournament in Denver. And it also earned Rabb the choice as the GSHS athlete of the week.

When regional opponents Pueblo Centennial, Fort Morgan and Windsor tried to force spikes past Rabb, the Demon senior blocked returns for points back in their faces.

“It was awesome,” Rabb said of the Demons’ regional performance last week. What made it special for her was the tournament was played at the high school’s Chavez-Spencer Gymnasium.

“The team enjoyed playing regionals at home,” said Rabb. “It make us confident and it inspired us. We talked about it and the team said. ‘Let’s make our last game at home great and let’s win it.'”

Rabb and her Demon teammates hope their success continues at state this weekend.

“It should be interesting,” said Rabb. “I’m not too worried about the teams in our pool.

The Demons defeated Cheyenne Mountain at regionals and beat Montezuma-Cortez in a summer tournament.

Glenwood, according to Rabb has never played Lewis-Palmer, the fourth team in the Demons’ pool.

“Everyone’s really excited about state,” she said. “The big thing is keeping up our confidence and focus.”