Christa Vogt, a junior on the Colorado Springs Christian School volleyball team, doesn’t have ideal measurables to dominate the net, but she makes up for it elsewhere.
Listed on the team’s roster at 5-foot-9, Vogt has led the Lions to a 7-4 start, including a 6-1 mark in Tri-Peaks league play, with 83 kills and 36 total blocks, both team highs.
She put down eight balls and had six blocks in a sweep of St. Mary’s on Tuesday before closing the week with nine kills and five blocks in a sweep of The Vanguard School on Thursday to earn Peak Performer of the Week.
“It was pretty important for us,” Vogt said of the 2-0 week. “We had a bit of a rough start.”
The team is coming off last year’s state appearance, and despite losing four seniors, the Lions want to get back.
They’re not in the best spot at the moment, but the opportunity to improve exists.
“We’ve got some tough games coming up, and I think we haven’t peaked yet,” coach Lori Currier said. “I think if we continue to work towards that, I think that’s definitely something we can get to.”
To get there, the Lions will likely lean on Vogt, who has aspirations to play at the college level despite some obstacles.
“Ever since I started (playing) the game, I wanted to be a hitter,” Vogt said. “Even though, theoretically, I’m shorter than what most hitters should be, I literally don’t care.
“It’s that feeling you get when you get a block or a kill that keeps the game fun.”
A “pretty good” vertical leap - according to Currier - helps, as does her status as a left-handed hitter.
“It definitely gives her an advantage in the middle, I would say, because most people aren’t looking to read that right at first,” Currier said.
“Then, she’s also able to do some slides and things that would be nice on the right side as well as running some different plays.”
Vogt jokingly calls herself the team’s problem child because her setters have to adjust their passes to her dominant hand. Sometimes they aren’t perfect, but Vogt is able to adjust.
“She’s able to make a play off of pretty much wherever the set is. She’s just playing really smart,” Currier said.
“When it’s a perfect set, she’s able to just put that ball away.”
Vogt focuses on volleyball year-round, spending the offseason playing club ball or working to increase her leaping ability.
Her hope is that with another year of improvement, more college coaches will come calling.
If one thinks Vogt is too short to play in the front row, where top players are around 6 feet tall, Vogt has a counter ready.
“I’m like, ‘I still have legs that jump, right?’ ” she said. “I’m working on getting my vertical up there.”
Other Peak Performers
David Barrow, Harrison football: The senior hauled in two receiving touchdowns in the Panthers' 58-7 win over Woodland Park and added a third score with a 50-yard interception return.
Madelyn Lewis, Cheyenne Mountain field hockey: Lewis, a senior captain, helped the Indians tie with Liberty, scoring both of her team's goals, giving her the team lead with six on the season.
Riki Fujimoto, Fountain Valley soccer: The freshman had quite a week, scoring two goals and assisting six others in a 10-0 win over Dolores Huerta Prep. Later in the week, Fujimoto assisted the only goal in a 1-0 win over St. Mary's.
Chloe Ewing, Vista Ridge softball: The junior went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored in five plate appearances during Wednesday's 20-2 win over Lewis-Palmer. She also pitched 3.1 scoreless innings.
Bradley Ma, Pine Creek tennis: The senior set the tone for Eagles in a 7-0 win over Doherty on Tuesday, winning his No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-0.
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