Editor’s Note: The article has been updated to change the name of Glenwood Springs’ mascot to the Demons

The Summit High School girls volleyball team has learned a lot about itself over the month of September.

The Tigers began the month with six losses and just one tally in the win column, but they have charged back over the last two weeks to win three games in a row. After getting beat 3-1 by Glenwood Springs High School on Sept. 7, Summit looked to continue its winning streak in a rematch against the Glenwood Springs Demons in Breckenridge on Thursday, Sept. 28. 

Like most 4A Western Slope league games, the game between the Tigers and the Demons began with both teams quickly exchanging points as the gym was filled with an intensity similar to a playoff volleyball match. 

After both teams scored points to begin the first set, Summit pulled to a small, 5-1 lead with senior Hannah Crowe and senior Shannon Reed helping score points.

The onslaught of early points from the Tigers awakened the Demons’ side of the court. In a span of a few minutes, the game was tied at 6-6. Throughout the rest of the first set, Summit and Glenwood Springs exchanged points and scoring sprees until Crowe and senior Karlyn Frazier helped the team to pull away.

Explosive spikes and blocks from Crowe and Frazier, and a highlight-reel-worthy, behind-the-head spike from senior Sierra Durloo gave the Tigers a 25-19 win in set one. 

With a strong set under its belt, Summit continued to play with passion and intensity in the second set. Recording blocks and spikes in front of the net, Crowe put the Tigers on a 7-0 run, forcing the Demons to call a timeout. 

Responding well out of the timeout, Glenwood Springs made a few well-timed volleys, which allowed the Demons pull within a few points of the Tigers at the midway mark of the set. 

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Feeling threatened by the visiting Demons, the Tigers tightened up their play and quickly shifted the momentum back to their side. 

Diving on the floor to keep the play alive and levitating off the floor to deliver spikes, the entire Summit team came together to push for a set win. Two consecutive aces from Durloo ultimately gave the Tigers a 25-14 win in the second frame.

Wanting to put the Demons away for good, the Tigers once again got out to an early lead. Glenwood Springs did not go down without putting up a fight, though, and quickly clawed its way back, tying the score multiple times before the midway point of the third set.

Following a run from Glenwood Springs, Crowe, Durloo and senior Chloe Nicholds worked together to put Summit on a scoring spree of its own, which gave the team a 16-11 lead.

Feeling a Summit shutout win on the precipice, Glenwood Springs bombarded the team with fiery spikes and serves. With a 5-0 Demons run, the set once again was tied at 16-16.

Points away from enacting revenge on Glenwood Springs, Durloo, Crowe, Frazier and junior Sophie Willms dug deep to give Summit its third league win of the season. Summit defeated Glenwood Springs 25-17 in set three to shutout Glenwood Springs, 3-0.

“It feels so good,” Durloo said of the team’s shutout win. “We have been playing a lot better together recently. We are putting in the work, so it feels rewarding (to win). We obviously have a lot more to do, but I am excited to see how the rest of the season goes.”

With the team’s fourth win in a row, the Tigers advance to 8-6 on the season and 3-3 in league play. 

Summit will now have a week off to prepare for its next game against Eagle Valley High School on Thursday, Oct. 5, in Gypsum. Eagle Valley defeated Summit, 3-0, on Sept. 12.

“I think that we should go in not really thinking about winning or losing — but just thinking about playing and doing our best,” Durloo said.

The Tigers next home game will be on Saturday, Oct. 7, against Palisade High School. The contest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.