Three skipped learning curve

The first year on any job usually comes with a steep learning curve. At high schools, new head coaches are often tasked with rebuilding a program or, in a bestcase scenario, implementing an adjustment period in order to install their philosophies and systems.

But there has been no such learning curve for three powerhouse Class 4A volleyball teams, where first-year coaches at each school — Wade Baxter at No. 1 Lewis-palmer, Daisha Agho at No. 5 Niwot and Amber Cook at No. 9 D’evelyn — have their teams on track to make serious noise at the state tournament Nov. 10-11 at the Denver Coliseum.

For starters, Baxter has made his inaugural season look like a walk in the park. Granted, he did inherit a defending state championship team that was ripe with elite talent following longtime coach Susan Odenbaugh’s retirement, but the Rangers (17-0, 5-0 Pikes Peak) haven’t missed a beat under his leadership, with just three dropped sets all season.

“We need to make sure we maintain our consistency throughout the match,” Baxter said. “We’ve had a tendency throughout the season, at times, to come out really strong, win a first set handily and then relax. The second set will then be a lot closer, or in a couple of cases, we’ve lost a set that we felt we really shouldn’t have.”

Beyond the Goliath that is Lewis-palmer, Agho has Niwot (14-2, 11-1 Northern) on track toward another state tournament appearance, and the former Berthoud coach noted her new team is motivated to make up for last season’s first-round exit at the state tournament.

“I was at state last year and watched their loss against Holy Family, and I’ve been able to bring that (scene) back to them again and again, just to keep their sights set on our goal of getting to that championship match,” Agho said.

Niwot boasts one of the best players in the state in senior hitter and Stanford commit Mackenzie Fidelak (148 kills, .424 kill percentage) on a team with a relaxed, family atmosphere.

At D’evelyn, the Jaguars tapped a longtime assistant to lead the program, which has never made it to state. Cook has the Jaguars (13-1, 5-1 Jeffco) on track to do so, largely thanks to an emphasis on upbeat vibes.

“I think having those types of thoughts definitely impact the way you perform, and so we put a lot of emphasis on positive talk and positive vocabulary,” Cook said.

So will Baxter lead the Rangers to a repeat? Will Agho get her team to the championship match, and will Cook get her squad deep into the tournament?

Nothing’s guaranteed in the often unpredictable prep universe. But what is for certain is these firstyear coaches will have their teams ready to play down the stretch, with all three having a shot at winning state.