Hey folks. I went up to Montrose this afternoon to catch the meeting between two of Section 1’s reigning champions: Hen Hud and Fox Lane. Of course, Hen Hud won Class B and went on to win its third straight state title, while Fox Lane won Class A and reached regionals. Still, we all know where the area’s volleyball bread is buttered, and that’s up at Hen Hud.

The Sailors won today behind strong games from three of their stars: Jackie Tamburri, Saretta Nethersole and Taylor Wickel. But it wasn’t easy, at least not at first.

Fox Lane began the match as the more emotional team, and it showed. Hen Hud lost the first game 25-23 — the first game it had lost against a Section 1 opponent in a regular-season match since 2007. Wow. Fox Lane coach Joel Stanford told me that while he never can appreciate losing a match, it was a confidence builder for his girls to know they could compete against one of the best teams in the state.

Of course, the Sailors are retooling at the moment after graduating three starters, including Ragin Jackson and Kami Nethersole, who were both first-team all-state. (Nethersole was our player of the year, too.) They also are about to return Nicole Carbone, a senior captain, who has been out since the end of last season with the second torn ACL of her career.

Coach Diane Swertfager told me her team still has work to do, defining and re-defining roles. That was apparent today — so was the fact that Hen Hud is very, very good already.