Senior night for Morgan Woodruff, Kacey Fagler, Kyla Duncan, Chanee Lintel and Jenna Colestock had a more immediate importance for Berthoud’s volleyball team.

A win and Daisha Agho’s team held out hope – slim as they were – of staying in the 4A playoff race. A loss and those hopes were dashed. Despite a second-game victory and a furious fourth-game charge, the Lady Spartans dropped a 25-17, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23 match to visiting Silver Creek. The loss, the eighth in nine matches, dropped Berthoud to 6-12 overall, 3-11 in the 16-team Northern Conference standings.

It left the Lady Spartans 13th entering tonight’s Broomfield match, leaving the match meaningless as far as postseason hopes go.

“We really needed this game tonight to even have a chance of making it. That definitely kicked us out,” Agho said.

Despite the defeat, the match showed, in flashes, what Berthoud had and what it has coming back next year. Seniors Duncan and Fagler had 18 digs each and Woodruff led the team with nine kills. Meanwhile, freshman Sara Nienaber (eight kills), sophomore Daryl Baker (six) and junior Michelle Arnold (13) made their mark on what lies ahead in 2010.

“I’m really excited about the younger kids coming up, but I‘m sad to see seniors go,” Agho said. “I’ve had them all the four years I’ve been here.”

The win improved Silver Creek’s record to 5-10 overall, 4-9 in the conference. The Lady Raptors are battling Niwot for the final playoff spot in the conference. Only 11 teams will advance to next week’s district tournaments.

Boys soccer felled by Weld Central
Weld Central scored two goals in each half en route to a season sweep of Berthoud on Tuesday night at Max Marr Field with a 4-1 victory.

Berthoud’s lone goal was scored by Tom Divine, his first of the season, in the second half off a Michael Berra assist. Alex Hughes made seven saves.
 
The Spartans (6-7 overall, 4-3 3A Region 6) have lost three straight but have still qualified for the 3A state playoffs for the second consecutive season, no matter what happens in tonight’s home finale with Estes Park.

The win improved Weld Central to 10-2-1 overall, 7-0 in conference play.