Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

The Niwot volleyball team closed out its 2016 conference schedule on Oct. 20 with a straight-set road victory over the Centaurus Warriors, 25-23, 25-14, 25-13. With the win, the Cougars extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches, and secured first place in the Northern League, with a 12-0 record. At sixth in the CHSAA RPI rankings, the Cougars are now in prime position to host a regional tournament during the upcoming post-season.

The Cougars kicked off the week with a home match on Oct. 18 against the Greeley Central Wildcats, who came into the match riding a three-game winning streak, their longest of the season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, however, Niwot was looking to extend a streak of its own.

Led by senior Sarah Falk’s 14 kills and three aces, the Cougars beat the Wildcats 25-18, 25-23, 26-28, 25-16. Sarah’s sophomore sister Emma was also sharp on the attack with 11 kills and four aces, while adding four blocks on the night. Junior Mackenzie Fidelak had 11 kills, two blocks and 12 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Audrey Richard had two kills, seven digs and an ace.

Against Centaurus two days later, Niwot’s big four again dominated. Fidelak had 12 kills and eight digs, while the Falk sisters combined for 12 kills, 11 digs and five aces. Sophomore Zoe Gonzales had five blocks for the second consecutive match. Senior Brynn Chavez led the team with 11 digs, and chipped in on offense with two kills and an ace.

Niwot played its final regular season home match on Oct. 24 against the Holy Family Tigers (17-4). The Cougars will close out the regular season schedule in Parker at the Ponderosa Mustang Classic, on Oct. 28-29.

(10/18) — Niwot 3, Greeley Central 1

Greeley Central (5-12, 4-9) 18, 23, 28, 16

Niwot (14-3, 13-0) 25, 25, 26, 25

Kills — Sarah Falk 14, Mackenzie Fidelak 11, Emma Falk 11, Emma Shiers 5, Zoe Gonzales 3, Audrey Richard 2

Blocks — Zoe Gonzales 5, Emma Falk 4, Mackenzie Fidelak 2

Digs — Rachel Priola 15, Mackenize Fidelak 12, Brynn Chavez 10, Audrey Richard 7, Ashley Bradbury 5, Courtney Smoljan 4, Emma Falk 2

Aces —Emma Falk 4, Sarah Falk 3, Mackenzie Fidelak 1, Audrey Richard 1

(10/20) — Niwot 3, Centaurus 0

Niwot (15-3, 14-0) 25, 25, 25

Photo by Ed Navarro Niwot's Zoe Gonzales (9) goes up for the kill while Brynn Chavez (6) looks on in a game against Greeley Central. Niwot wore pink jerseys in support of breast cancer research.

Centaurus (7-16, 3-11) 23, 14, 13

Kills — Mackenize Fidelak 12, Emma Falk 6, Sarah Falk 6, Emma Shiers 2, Brynn Chavez 2, Zoe Gonzales 1

Blocks — Zoe Gonzales 5, Mackenzie Fidelak 1

Digs — Brynn Chavez 11, Mackenize Fidelak 8, Sarah Falk 8, Ashley Bradbury 7, Emma Falk 3, Audrey Richard 2, Emma Shiers 1

Aces — Sarah Falk 4, Ashley Bradbury 2, Brynn Chavez 2, Emma Falk 1, Mackenzie Fidelak 1, Audrey Richard 1