By Jim Thomas

Two Montezuma-Cortez High School girls have been chosen to participate in the Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports/Spalding All-State Volleyball Games.

Senior setter Annie Mortensen and senior middle back Lindsay Waggoner will represent the school at the elite games.

Mortensen averaged 9.6 assists per game. She was the team’s top server with a 98.2 percentage. She also averaged 3.1 digs per outing through the regular season.

"Annie has a good personality for a setter," MCHS head volleyball coach Lindy Mortensen said. "She held the team together and provided leadership. She’s very athletic. She played very well on defense. Annie has been around volleyball all her life so she had very good fundamental skills."

Waggoner averaged 3.1 kills and 3.0 digs. She had 55 blocks and lead the team with 25 aces through the regular season.

"Lindsay is just a nice kid. She was always serious at practice and was always focused. When the girls could get her the ball out front, she would make a kill. She was a consistent hitter. Lindsay provided the team with leadership as well," coach Mortensen said.

Mortensen and Waggoner helped the Panthers to a tie (with Berthoud) in the Class 4A State Volleyball Tournament Nov. 12-13 at Denver University. The Panthers advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Fort Morgan. Cortez, which won the Southwest League title, District 7 crown, and second in Region D, finished with a sparkling 25-4 overall record.

CCGS began sponsoring an All-State Volleyball Game in 1979 to provide girls a showcase for talent. Each senior athlete is nominated by coaches in her league while coaches representing all the leagues make the final selection of 80. Players are chosen on talent, dedication, team play, and leadership.

The girls, who were also recently named First Team All-Conference for the Southwest League will play on the South All-State Team.

The match will be held at Pamona High School on Nov. 21. The Class 4A contest will begin at 2:30 p.m.

In the meantime, Mortensen and Waggoner will focus their attention on basketball. Mortensen is a guard and Waggoner is a post for coach Phil Baca.