COLORADO SPRINGS – In last year’s state playoffs, James Irwin boys volleyball coach Mike Prusinowski had a pretty good idea of what his team was made of.
On Wednesday, he got an even better idea of what those players who fell in the state quarterfinals were capable of, only this time they were wearing different jerseys. Much of the James Irwin team from last year went to school in Academy District 20, but there was no boys volleyball team in the district.
That changed this season when Discovery Canyon started a program that served as a full district team. So a lot of those players competed closer to home than make the trip down to James Irwin every day.
And if the 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 win over the Jaguars is any indication, this team is more than ready to face championship-level expectations this spring.
“It’s encouraging,” senior Josh Livergood said. “Seeing where we were last year [playing for James Irwin] and right now, I certainly have the mindset that we need to put int the work. We need to stay focused and play the best we can.”
Prior to the start of the game, Prusinowski addressed his home crowd to reference the obvious elephant in the room. Some of these guys were ours last year, but not anymore. He also couldn’t hold back the pride he felt for the Thunder (8-0 overall) as it continues to solidify itself as one of the top teams in the state.
And a big reason for that is Livergood, who also addressed the crowd to show his appreciation for the James Irwin program and to Prusinowski in helping in his development, along with the other players who suited up for the Jags last season.
“I think they’re the best team in the state right now, including the teams up in Denver,” Prusinowski said. “It makes me happy to see right now because 10 of their guys from JV and varsity played with us last year.”
After the thanks were handed out, each team got to the business of competing. And the Thunder got to the business of keeping its undefeated season alive. Caden Zippwald had a team-high eight kills while Livergood added seven and Discovery Canyon jumped out to a quick lead, much like it has done all year.
The Thunder currently sit at No. 4 in the CHSAANow.com rankings and is one of just two undefeated teams in the top five with Cherokee Trail being the other.
Given that the season is still young and there is still a ways to go, the Thunder is just trying to settle into their style of play and keep racking up wins to get itself in the best possible position come when the postseason rolls around.
“That’s the biggest part,” senior Ryan Hansen said. “With our team being a couple schools combined, it’s really a big thing to find our groove before we get into playoffs.”
The Thunder will close out its week with a league match against Fountain-Fort Carson on Friday before getting some tournament action in on Saturday at home. One of its scheduled opponents on Saturday is James Irwin.
While the feeling of playing against their old coach and team will always bring mixed emotions, it won’t deter the Thunder of its goal of establishing itself as a premier boys volleyball program in Colorado.
“There’s a lot of appreciation for Mike, but when it comes down to it, I’m playing for the team I’m playing for now,” Livergood said. “I’ve played for a few teams in my high school volleyball career. I’ve developed a mindset of thank you for last year, but I’m playing for this team now. I’m going to play for my team and we’re going to play the best we can.”