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BHS volleyball wins three at Grand Valley tourney

Aspen Times Staff Report

The Basalt High School girls volleyball team opened the season with a fine showing at the Grand Valley Tournament last Saturday.

Basalt, a team that struggled last year and finished 4-15 overall, won three games in the pool-play tourney, and lost just two, to finish in the top three of the eight-team tourney.

“We had a great day, much better than last year,” said Billy Miller, the BHS coach. “All the games were very close and the girls were pretty tight.”



Last year’s “rebuilding season” has yielded four returning starters to this year’s squad, including Amanda Schmitt, the senior captain and setter, and the team’s two middle players, seniors Robin Child and Lauren Redfern.

“Everyone knows Lauren from basketball, and hopefully everyone will know her better from volleyball,” said Miller, “because Lauren and Robin can really dominate up front at the net.




“So I’ve got returning talent and we had a real strong summer program,” the coach continued, “and I think we’re much more prepared this year as a team.

“My two outside hitters are younger, Sara Watkins is a sophomore and Bailey Holmes is a freshman, but they’re both very solid all-around players. They serve tough, they pass tough and they hit tough.”

Basalt’s next match is Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. in Paonia. On Friday, Sept. 12, Basalt travels to face rival Aspen at the AHS gym at 4 p.m.

“Working well together as a team, that’s the goal,” Miller said. “We’ve got some experience with our seniors and some young talent, too. And we’re really just trying to get familiar, mentally prepared for the rally scoring brand of the game and all the tactics that go with it.”