Prep notebook: Battle Mountain and Eagle Valley split volleyball and softball rivalry matches
Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
It was Eagle Valley vs. Battle Mountain times three on Thursday night.
While the Huskies claimed a 2-0 win on their home field in boys soccer, the rivals split volleyball and softball matches in Gypsum. The Devils powered past the Huskies 15-0 in a three-inning victory on the diamond while the Huskies rallied for an epic five-set victory on the court.
“Tough loss,” Eagle Valley volleyball coach Mike Garvey stated afterward. “Both teams struggled to avoid errors. In the end, we made too many.”
The Devils won the first two sets 25-21, 25-19. After one of Riley Weatherred’s team-high six aces, it was 15-14 in the third. Aspen Misch stuffed a Husky kill attempt at the net to make it 17-15 a few volleys later, but Battle Mountain mustered a 10-2 run to stay alive. The Huskies went on to take a 26-24 win in the fourth and closed things out 19-17 in the fifth.
“We held match point three or four times,” Garvey said. “We keep learning and growing; that’s all we can do.”
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Misch led Eagle Valley with 15 kills. Lizzy Martin had 20 digs and Weatherred added 23 assists to go along with five blocks and 10 kills.
No. 3 Battle Mountain improved to 7-0 on the season in advance of Saturday’s game against Aspen. The Devils (7-9 overall, 4-2 league) host Glenwood Springs next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
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Rex Keep/Courtesy photo
Eagle Valley’s softball team improved to 16-5 after Thursday’s win over Battle Mountain, a game which ended after the hosts’ 10-run third inning enacted the 10-run rule.
The Devils put together their first back-to-back winning seasons in over a decade last fall — clinching a post-season berth for the first time since 2005 — but they’re even stronger and more experienced this year. Athletic Directory Ryan Lynch said much of the credit for the team’s stellar 2024 campaign belongs to the coaching staff.
“They have done an amazing job and our head coach, Jesse (Meryhew), is extremely good at what he does,” Lynch said. “Our team has been together a while and they love playing with each other. We also run a very strong summer team that leads to the success of this team.”
“The girls have worked hard with early morning strength training, off-season open gym workouts and summer ball,” Meryhew added. “Nothing beats hard work.”
The senior-heavy team has been led by Audrey Crowley, Abby Talbot, Allie Braun and Ellia Blakey on offense. Blakey and Talbot have both swatted three home runs this year and all four players have amassed 25 or more hits on averages north of .500. Lynch said most of the seniors are considering collegiate athletics; a St. Olaf College scout paid a visit from Minnesota to watch Blakey last month.
On the mound, Phedre Kempton has been the team’s rock, with 47 strikeouts and a 12-1 record.
“Every young pitcher in this valley — whether playing softball or baseball — should strive to pitch like Phedre,” Meryhew said. “Hit your spots, throw strikes and let your fielders do what they do best: help you get outs.”
Kempton has walked just 21 of the 360 batters she’s faced.
“This is how you give your team a chance to win,” Meryhew said.
“Phedra’s work is why we function,” Lynch added. “Without her on the mound, we’re a .500 team.”
Eagle Valley wraps up the regular season on Saturday against Meeker. The 4A round of 32 begins on Oct. 18, with league champions earning automatic bids. The Devils sit atop the 4A Western Slope with a 4-0 league mark, but the conference doesn’t meet the five-team minimum to qualify for an automatic slot. Still, the Devils’ postseason hopes look good, as they sit in the 26th spot in the latest CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index.
