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Battle Mountain takes Vail Mountain in three

Huskies move to 2-0

Battle Mountain's Delaney Gersbach gets into the swing of things during the Huskies' three-set win at Vail Mountain.
Mort Mulliken | Special to the Daily

EAST VAIL — Jeanne Macsata to the rescue, as always.

With the public-address system out before the Battle Mountain-Vail Mountain volleyball game, leave it to Macsata to save the day. The longtime VMS teacher belted out the introductions of all the players — sans microphone — and then sang the anthem.

Macsata for the win, as always.



As for the volleyball match, the Huskies took care of the Gore Rangers in three, 25-15, 25-11, 25-15.

Battle Mountain is off to a 2-0 start on the season and in the nonexistent Eagle County League.

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“It’s always fun playing our neighbors, our friends, our family members because the game is always going to be competitive, but in the end, we get to hug and get to remind ourselves that it’s just a game,” Huskies coach Jason Fitzgerald said. “It’s always fun to play at home.”

Beneath the surface

Truth be told, Tuesday’s match looked a lot like a 4A school, with one match already under its belt, against a 2A school playing its first of the season.

The Huskies were playing faster than the Gore Rangers and it showed. Carly Post and Delaney Gerbasch served the Huskies out to a 21-2 first-set lead.

While the Vail Mountain School lost to Battle Mountain on Tuesday, there were several bright spots, including the play of freshman Skye Karsh.
Mort Mulliken | Special to the Daily

Of concern for Battle Mountain was that, while it did win the game and the match, the Huskies didn’t close the door forcefully. VMS won 15 of the set’s final 19 points.

“We’re showing the tenacity to get it done, but there were a few times when we let off, hoping they just would let us have it,” Fitzgerald said. “We know that’s not going to be the case going forward into league.”

On the positive side of the ledger, the Huskies got both Sofi Petrovski and Tatum Huffman going and added Gerbasch, McKenzie Clyncke and Phoebe Walters to the attack. That bodes well as far as balance.

As good as the start has been against its local 2A rivals, the Huskies know they have to start stepping it up with the league opener on Friday against Palisade.

“We know we can play fast,” Huffman said. “We know we have bigger games coming up with Palisade on Friday. We just have to know to play at our speed.”

Gore Rangers good

When last we saw VMS play volleyball, the Gore Rangers were at the 2A state tournament. While some may think that the graduation of Sarah Evans, Chloe Pesso, Nellie Smith, and Maggie Sturm means rebuilding, the Gore Rangers sneak up on some teams.

First off, VMS still has Lexi Linafelter, Oly Holguin and some others who tasted success. The Gore Rangers are also good-sized, especially for a 2A squad.

VMS got the block up against Battle Mountain a few times. That’s something upon which to build.

“We’re taller than usual,” VMS coach Whitney Armistead said. “We can use that to funnel other team’s offense into our strength. I think as we play more, we’re going to be strong there.”

Tuesday also marked the debut of freshman Skye Karsh, who did not look like a freshman in her varsity debut. Keep an eye on No. 35.

VMS (0-1) heads to North Park on Thursday for its league opener.


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