Volleyball

year. Things haven’t improved yet results-wise this season, either, after opening with three-set losses to Mountain Vista and Niwot.

Although results in year three remain of low concern for Tovani. She has instead been more intrigued by her Mountain Lions’ ability to improve together as a team.

“Every time they step on the court, they just get better and they grow stronger as a team,” Tovani said. “They just want to be there for each other. I’m just hoping that that can continue. Regardless of the wins or losses, they deem success (on) if they were a good teammate and if they left it all out on the court, which is really awesome to see.”

So far, Calderon believes his team has excelled in that regard, something

that even the greatest teams don’t always master.

“For the month and a half I’ve known them, they’ve become great teammates already,” Calderon said. “The chemistry between all of us on the court, I would say it’s impressive for us to bond that quickly.”

A couple of seniors have even emerged as leaders for Mountain View in Zavian Aragon and Gavin Hatch, Tovani added.

“(Aragon) is one of those leaders where it may not be statistically, but just from a talking, communicating, encouraging perspective, he’s definitely stepped up as a leader,” Tavion said. “Gavin, he was a basketball player turned volleyball player. This is his first season playing and the guys really look up to him as well.”

Returning players for the Mountain Lions include senior Leroy Jay-alvarado, sophomore Sabestian Carter and juniors

Seth Jacobs and Alex Serrano. Through two games, Jacobs leads the team with 10 kills while Serrano and Jay-alvarado have combined for 21 digs.

But again, their overall focus extends beyond pure numbers.

Caleb Escalle, another freshman in the midst of his first season playing competitively, echoed Calderon’s thoughts and added that his teammates have helped each other overcome the early frustrations of learning a new sport.

“We all have our ups and downs, but we learn how to get through those as a team,” Escalle said.

Mountain View’s next game is on Saturday as part of a tournament at George Washington High School in Denver.