Barbara Lawlor, Gilpin County. In the traditional Gilpin Eagle tournament that begins the volleyball season, the Gilpin girls gave their fans a glimpse of what they have to offer so far this season. They took on the Lake County Panthers on Friday for the first match of the day and beat them in two. All matches are three games during the tournament.

The Eagles earned the first point and led all the way to the 25-13 finish for the first game. They lost a few of their hard hitters to graduation last year, but the returning team leaders moved into the slots and pushed the Eagles to a hard-fought but spectacular victory in the second game. The score was 26-24 and the game included one of the longest volleys the girls have played in a game. They ultimately won the point and celebrated the win of the volley as if it were the game.

Stephanie  Siegrist played aggressively at the net with 26 attacks and 7 kills. Cicely Lepro found her niche in her serve, scoring 11 points and one ace. The girls showed their first game nerves, but they also exhibited teamwork and understanding of what they intended to do.

Statistics:

Alexis Kennedy: 10 digs, 4 serves returned

Alex Martin: 1 kill, 7 attacks, 2 serves, 5 digs,

Bailey Hansen: 2 kills, 8 attacks, 2 serves

Cicely Lepro: 1 attack, 1 ace, 16 serves, 11 points, 11 digs, 1 assist, 7 serves received

Stephanie Siegrist: 7 kills, 26 attacks, 5 serves, 2 points, 3 digs, 1 serve received

Sierra Planck: 4 attacks

Jada Gohdes: 2 kills, 12 attacks, 4 serves received

Sierra Deleon: 6 attacks, 1 kill, 11 serves, 8 points, 7 digs, 1 assist

Later in the day, the Eagles played the Denver Waldorf Spartans and won the first game but lost the next two and the match: 25-17,  21-25,  10-15. Alysse Chareunsouk had a great game with 11 attacks and 2 kills. Siegrist had 15 attacks, 5 kills, an ace, and 5 points. Sierra Deleon made 5 points, 2 aces, one kill, and 13 assists, making a strong offensive showing.

The Eagles are ready for the season. The next game is on Tuesday, Sept. 9th at North Park and then Gilpin travels to mountain rival Nederland to take on the Panthers beginning with the junior varsity game at 6:30 p.m.

Statistics:

Alexis Kennedy: 17 serves, 4 points, 4 digs, 2 serves returned

Alec Martin: 1 kill, 5 points., 4 digs, 9 serves returned, 8 attacks

Aspen Nadeau: 2 serves,

Bailey Hansen: 2 kills

Cicely Lepro: 12 serves, 7 points, 4 digs

Alysse Chareunsouk: 7 serves, 2 points, 2 kills, 8 digs, 13 serve returns, 11 attacks

Stephanie Siegrist: 5 kills, 1 ace, 5 points,  5 serve returns, 15 attacks

Sierra Planck: 2 kills, 5 attacks

Jada Gohdes: 2 kills, 10 attacks, 3 digs

Sierra Deleon: 1 kill, 2 attacks, 2 aces,  10 serves, 5 points, 4 digs, 13 assists,