The Nederland High School Panthers volleyball team played against the Cripple Creek-Victor Pioneers at their Homecoming game in the high school gym on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Nederland Middle Senior High School (NMSHS).

“The two teams have not played against each other since last season,” said Head Coach Nicole Zotti, who is in her fourth year of coaching the Panthers.

The junior varsity (JV) team typically plays first, best out of three sets, or games. Coach Zotti says about the team, “We have an amazing JV team with lots of new athletes hungry to improve their skills.”

Varsity plays the best out of five games.

Coach Zotti said, “We have a very competitive team this year! We took third in a tournament that we played a few weeks ago, which for this program, is a very big deal! We have a great mix of junior and senior starters, they are dedicated and talented!”

JV played their sets using excellent teamwork and won two sets in a row, eliminating the need for a third.

Between the JV and varsity games, the NMSHS Loquations sang the National Anthem beautifully and in perfect harmony.

When asked what the Panthers have been working on as a team, Coach Zotti said, “One of our main focuses this year is on the mental game of volleyball. It is our philosophy that you need to condition your mind just as much as your body to be a complete athlete. We dedicate the beginning of every practice to improving our mental game.”

The energy in the high school gym was palpable as the rival volleyball teams prepared for the match. The home team had the advantage when it came to crowd participation, with the Ned High School boys loudly cheering, banging on the bleachers, and making inhuman sounds as loudly as possible.

Armed with candy and t-shirts, the Panthers threw goodies to their adoring fans, who then, albeit slightly, turned on each other in a frenzy to grab the sweets.

Near the beginning of the game, Payton Kutscher aced the ball deep into the opponent’s court where Cripple Creek-Victor’s libero player, Savanna Kisseberth, missed it, putting the score at 5-0, Nederland.

As the game progressed, the Panthers scored several points because of Cripple Creek-Victor’s hitting errors.

Nederland’s Jordan Galindo, senior, saved the ball at least three times by diving on the floor, keeping the ball in play. Junior Natalia Garcia-Upczak hit the ball from the middle back position over the net with ease and precision, bringing the score to 20-7, Nederland.

The first game ended with Nederland victorious, 25 to 12.

The second set began with scores close together. Nederland senior Echo Siglin served the ball to the farthest corner of the opposing team’s court without going past the end line and scored since the Pioneers failed to volley it.

With Nederland in the lead by six points, Kutscher sent the ball lightly over the net, scoring for the Panthers, 15-9.

The Pioneers called for a timeout when the score was 18 to 9.

Working in unison, the Panthers coordinated their movements and did excellent work setting up the ball for each other. Like Coach Zotti has taught them, they excel at communicating on the court.

Nederland won the second set 25 to 12.

During the third set, with a score of Ned 8 to 6, Amelie Bodnar served and Cripple Creek-Victor hit it out of bounds. When Kendall Zotti served the ball the serve was hard and low whilst keeping it in the court. Cripple Creek- Victor’s Kisseberth dove to save the ball but failed resulting in a score of 18 to 7.

Near the end of the match, Nederland traded out a player.

For the final point, the Pioneers overserved and Nederland won 25-14.

The Panthers emerged victorious in all their sets and matches, beating out Cripple Creek-Victor.

The Panthers showed great camaraderie during the game, continually supporting each other even if there was a miss. Parents and peers cheered and clapped for the victorious team.

The Nederland Girls’ Volleyball team also plays a good game off the court, raising money and honing their skills. They spent their summer running camps for elementary and middle schoolers. They also attended a camp here at NMSHS and a camp at CSU. They have been volunteering their time to fundraise for the team and have raised almost $6,000 this year!

Go Panthers!