DURANGO CLASSIC: Herlosky, Cougars find plenty of positives in tourney

On the contrary, the Coronado senior setter embraces it.

“It’s nice to get attention,” Herlosky said. “But it’s better when its positive attention.”

For Southern Nevada high school girls volleyball, the mid-season stage doesn’t get much brighter than the Durango Fall Classic. The two-day tournament, which featured 48 teams — including some from as far away as Kentucky — saw Herlosky and the Cougars advance to Saturday’s Contender Division Championship match against Buchanan (Calif.).

“It’s exhilarating,” Herlosky said. “I really think it builds your team and makes you better when you play against tougher teams.”

Although the Bears swept Coronado 25-17, 25-18, the Cougars, who placed 42nd overall, said they have plenty to be pleased with.

“The competition was good for us,” said Coronado coach Matt Johnson. “We got to play a lot of different teams and got to see how volleyball is played in other places.”

Buchanan featured a dominant front line that controlled much of the first set, as the Bears opened with an 11-3 run. In the decisive second set, Coronado implemented a balanced offensive effort, but the Buchanan gradually pulled away with a pair of lengthy runs.

Coronado went 0-3 in Friday’s pool play and play-in match, competing against such powers as Notre Dame (Ky.) and Beckman (Calif.).

Earlier Saturday, the Cougars outlasted a pair of Nevada teams. After taking care of Galena, Coronado defeated Southeast League foe Foothill in three sets (21-25, 25-18, 25-19) to make it into the contender final. The Falcons finished 1-6 and in 44th place.

“We want to make sure that when we play against the local teams, we play our best,” Johnson said. “Those games are important and they mean a little bit more than those other matches.”

Johnson said the youth movement Coronado has faced this season has placed a leadership responsibility on some of the more seasoned players, noting Herlosky’s veteran presence as a key factor.

“She has been selfless at taking on a new responsibility,” Johnson said. “It might not be the responsibility she wants, but she’s embraced it and has been getting better at it. You wish you had 12 to 15 of her.”

Herlosky is quick to deflect any praise, though, and understands the position she holds with the Cougars.  

“I think everyone pushes me to be a better leader,” she said. “We’re all leaders on the court and I’m happy to work with the girls I do.”

Junior outside hitter Taylor Jackson said Herlosky has been vital in sharing her experiences on the court with other teammates.  

“I think it’s good because she’s the senior and she’s been through all the obstacles of being on varsity,” Jackson said. “She’s had that good attitude and brings all the freshmen together.”

Johnson said that, along with the defensive play, Coronado has to become more poised as it prepares to begin league play on Wednesday.

“I think overall, being steadier and not having such drastic highs and lows — scoring five points and then giving up eight — needs to be worked on,” he said. “We have to be able to bounce back faster.”

Of the local teams in the tournament, Bishop Gorman (2-5) posted the best finish at 31st place. Green Valley finished 3-4 and in 38th place, and Shadow Ridge (2-5) claimed 40th. Bonanza (2-5, 47th) and Durango (0-7, 48th) rounded out the area squads.

Torrey Pines (Calif.) beat defending tournament champion Assumption (Ky.) in the title match, 25-22, 14-25, 25-16.

With a little more than a month remaining in the regular season schedule, Johnson said he expects big results from the Cougars.

“People have made a big deal about us losing Green Valley and Silverado to the other league,” Johnson said. “Our league is pretty competitive, and I think we definitely have the pieces to make a playoff berth. Our goal is to make it all the way. But we just take it one match at a time.”