Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Serve. Kill. Block. Dig. Set. These are words every volleyball player knows and strives to excel at. 

The Nederland Middle Senior High School volleyball teams are wrapping up their 2019/2020 season. 

Nederland’s last home game was last week, and their opponents were the Gilpin Eagles. The Eagles won each set 13-25, 9-25, 11-25. 

Although it was a loss for the Lady Panthers they played with great attitude and joy for the game. It was a special night for Coach Suzie Muldoon and her team. The Nederland volleyball team has four seniors that were recognized along with their families. The seniors are Ash Beattie, Xoli Hatwan, Lily Lindstrom and Alex Sorokach. Coach told each young woman what their positive contributions were to the team and how much she enjoyed working with them. They were presented with flowers and a gift. 

This was Head Coach Suzie Muldoon’s first year at NMSHS. She has been playing volleyball for many years. She played at the collegiate level at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY. She was also an assistant coach there. Since coming to Colorado, Coach Suzie has coached skill camps at CU. She came to Ned hoping to help the school teams in any way she could. It turned out that the high school team needed a coach and she accepted the challenge. 

She has genuinely enjoyed coaching these girls and is looking forward to next season. Referring to this year’s team she said, “Their strength is their attitude and spirit. They show up every day with a smile and ready and willing to learn the game.” All this despite a record of 4-21.

Coach says, “The connection and ability to stay positive and have fun even with the losses is commendable. They never became that team that is visibly frustrated with one another.” 

Coach Suzie Muldoon praises all the players for their hard work and growth this season. She says, “These girls really gained a true understanding of the game and the importance of anticipation, having an idea what will happen next and beating the ball.”

Nederland also has an Interscholastic or middle level girls volleyball team. This team is made up of seventh and eighth graders. They play other schools in the Boulder Valley School District. 

This team had their only home game last week. They played Manhattan Middle School and lost to them in an exciting game. They play five sets and the scores were, 14-20, 20-14, 20-10, 16-20 and 15-20. Both teams played very well. 

Overall, Nederland’s IS volleyball team record is 4 wins and 3 losses with one more game at Angevine Middle School this week.  From last year the team has really improved. These girls appear to love the game and show great team spirit.

Eighth grader Kyleigh McLaughlin says, “It was great! We definitely picked up our game this year from last year. This group works really well together, and we’re excited for our next season.”

The IS volleyball team is coached by Stephanie McCollum. The parental support for this team is loud and proud. 

Volleyball in Nederland is fun to watch. These girls display great sportswomanship. (That really should be a word.) They show respect for each other and their opponents. They are gracious in winning and losing.  If you did not see a game this season, make a point of coming out and supporting these teams and the school next season. 

(Originally published in the October 31, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)