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Cowgirls confirm ability at tourney
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By Carol Broeder/arizona range news
The Willcox High School volleyball team has hit the ground running hard this season.
The Cowgirls began their year Aug. 20 at the pre-season Valley Union Invitational, and then the Thatcher Invitational bright and early Saturday morning.
There they met 2A East Region foe Thatcher, a team that includes standout Rachel Orr.
"We had a pretty good weekend," Head Coach Todd DeBaun said.
"We went all the way to the championships, then lost to Thatcher," he said about his team that went 16-1, playing nine different schools, and St. David twice.
Other than Thatcher, DeBaun said St. David and Fort Thomas were also tough competition.
"All the kids really stepped up," DeBaun said.
His words of praise included Junior Clary Cunningham who "played with a lot of energy. She had a lot of blocks and several kills."
"She played like we thought she could," De Baun added.
Juniors Marjorie Estavillo (setter) was "swinging and attacking all over the court," and Nikki Dunlap (strongside hitter) was "powerful and strong all day," he said.
Senior Macey Green (third year - one year injured, outside position) "had big hits and big blocks," said DeBaun.
He described Senior Shelby Harguess (fourth year, middle position) as "fantastic in hitting," and Juniors Shalyn Spence, who is new to the varsity, and Karlea Fleming as being "excellent with defense" during Saturday's tournament in Thatcher.
Senior Tomi Abbl (fourth year, weakside hitter) "probably had 10 blocks throughout the day," De Baun said.
Twenty-two girls make up the varsity, JV, and freshman teams.
Prior to the season opener, DeBaun professed his belief in his varsity team.
"If everything comes together, I think we will finish in the top three in conference," which is a tough one this year, he said.
Last year, the Cowgirls finished 9-11, with a second round loss to Northwest Christian at state.
De Baun noted that many members of the varsity have been playing club ball, and were ready for the high school season.
On a club team coached by DeBaun, they had to fight through "really tough competition" in a volleyball tournament in New Mexico several weeks ago - playing teams from 5A schools in Texas and New Mexico.
"We've spent a lot of time in the off season killing ourselves on conditioning," which is now paying off, he said.
"The kids have noticed that they can play longer, jump higher, and not feel worn out," DeBaun said.
There are two assistant coaches this year - 2008 WHS graduate Andrea Shields, whom De Baun coached three years ago, and Patty Rowledge, an outside hitter and 2004 Tombstone High School graduate.
The Cowgirls will visit Empire on Thursday before their first home match against Safford on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 4, 5, and 6 p.m.
(Editors note: Managing Editor Ainslee S. Wittig contributed to this article.)
The Cowgirls began their year Aug. 20 at the pre-season Valley Union Invitational, and then the Thatcher Invitational bright and early Saturday morning.
There they met 2A East Region foe Thatcher, a team that includes standout Rachel Orr.
"We had a pretty good weekend," Head Coach Todd DeBaun said.
"We went all the way to the championships, then lost to Thatcher," he said about his team that went 16-1, playing nine different schools, and St. David twice.
Other than Thatcher, DeBaun said St. David and Fort Thomas were also tough competition.
"All the kids really stepped up," DeBaun said.
His words of praise included Junior Clary Cunningham who "played with a lot of energy. She had a lot of blocks and several kills."
"She played like we thought she could," De Baun added.
Juniors Marjorie Estavillo (setter) was "swinging and attacking all over the court," and Nikki Dunlap (strongside hitter) was "powerful and strong all day," he said.
Senior Macey Green (third year - one year injured, outside position) "had big hits and big blocks," said DeBaun.
He described Senior Shelby Harguess (fourth year, middle position) as "fantastic in hitting," and Juniors Shalyn Spence, who is new to the varsity, and Karlea Fleming as being "excellent with defense" during Saturday's tournament in Thatcher.
Senior Tomi Abbl (fourth year, weakside hitter) "probably had 10 blocks throughout the day," De Baun said.
Twenty-two girls make up the varsity, JV, and freshman teams.
Prior to the season opener, DeBaun professed his belief in his varsity team.
"If everything comes together, I think we will finish in the top three in conference," which is a tough one this year, he said.
Last year, the Cowgirls finished 9-11, with a second round loss to Northwest Christian at state.
De Baun noted that many members of the varsity have been playing club ball, and were ready for the high school season.
On a club team coached by DeBaun, they had to fight through "really tough competition" in a volleyball tournament in New Mexico several weeks ago - playing teams from 5A schools in Texas and New Mexico.
"We've spent a lot of time in the off season killing ourselves on conditioning," which is now paying off, he said.
"The kids have noticed that they can play longer, jump higher, and not feel worn out," DeBaun said.
There are two assistant coaches this year - 2008 WHS graduate Andrea Shields, whom De Baun coached three years ago, and Patty Rowledge, an outside hitter and 2004 Tombstone High School graduate.
The Cowgirls will visit Empire on Thursday before their first home match against Safford on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 4, 5, and 6 p.m.
(Editors note: Managing Editor Ainslee S. Wittig contributed to this article.)
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