After winning the Colorado Class 5A state championship in 2021, the Creek Girls’ varsity volleyball team is determined to keep the title. As the season continues, both opportunities and adversaries arise.

“I think for a lot of us, it’s easy to think about the negative. It’s easier to get caught up in what’s not going well,” Head coach Steve Huntingdale said.

Huntingdale knows that for his athletes to succeed, it’s not just about the practice but also their mindsets. After a 25-23 and a 25-19 win against Cherokee Trail, senior middle blocker and opposite hitter Natalie Murphy defines the driving force behind achieving such a victory.

“[Our goal is] just minimizing our unforced errors and working hard throughout the game,” Murphy said.

For most players, the immense focus that must be spent on this season in order to keep the championship title earned last year is daunting, and keeping that focus on the future rather than past mistakes is especially difficult.

“When you get distracted, that makes it harder. It’s already hard” Huntingale said. “So I think for them, just keep thinking that they’re gonna win this ball, this point, that will help us get where we need to go.” 

Although the team has challenges to face, it is the mindset they maintain that will make Creek proud this season.

“[Our goal] is always to win state. Every year looks different and has its own challenges. It’s hard to win, much less state,” Huntingdale said. “But I think we’re getting better each time we come to the gym. I think we’re trending in that direction.”