Fort Lewis and Northern Arizona University play five training sets

She could only describe it as surreal.

After four years at Division I Northern Arizona University, Durango native Millie O’Ketter began her fifth and final year of collegiate volleyball with a return to Durango High School. Northern Arizona University played a scrimmage against Fort Lewis on Saturday afternoon at Durango High School so O’Ketter could dance one more time on the court where she spent so much time as a child.

“The only word that came to mind during the last few hours was that it was such a surreal feeling,” O’Ketter said. “I never imagined I would be playing at DHS again. Playing with all of my best friends who are currently on the team was such an enriching experience. We learned a lot on the court and I wouldn’t have wanted to have this experience with anyone else but my teammates.”

O’Ketter had a lot of support at the game, including friends, family, former coaches and people she knows at FLC. She said being with her family and playing in front of them where she grew up was the most rewarding experience she’s had in her five years at NAU.

The practice match lasted five sets and NAU won four of the five. O’Ketter said FLC is a very respectable team and NAU cannot take them lightly.

NAU won the first set 25-19. In the second set, NAU and FLC were tied 4-4. NAU showed off its athleticism and the Skyhawks frequently hit the ball out of bounds. NAU extended its lead to 12-7 with its power and athleticism around the net.

O’Ketter often showed her leadership skills from the libero position, communicating with her teammates as points dropped. FLC cut NAU’s lead to 22-20, but O’Ketter made a beautiful one-handed dive save to keep the point alive, putting NAU ahead 24-20. NAU won the set 25-21.

“It was very encouraging to see all of our players compete like that and finally see progress in all the work we did in the spring,” said FLC head coach Giedre Tarnauskaite. “Then we had the opportunity to try out different lineups since we played five sets. So we had different pairings to see the less experienced players get some playing time and how they responded. Everyone responded really well and it was exciting to see that in action.”

NAU took control early in the third set and took a 5-0 lead. FLC countered and narrowed the gap to 7-5. But NAU pulled away again and didn’t let up, winning the third set 25-14.

There was a great atmosphere at Durango High School, with both teams and coaches smiling and laughing throughout the practice game. The stands were busy cheering on FLC and NAU.

“Fort Lewis brought a lot of energy and we definitely held our own,” O’Ketter said. “As the game went on, it got more and more competitive and we learned each other’s habits, it got super competitive. Our players on the sidelines and the people on the court were getting more and more engaged, which was super fun. I felt extremely supported by my teammates. I had more energy than I’ve ever had in a game.”

In the fourth set, FLC took an early 12-5 lead and NAU caught up and took the lead 15-14. But the Skyhawks recovered and won an incredible comeback that put FLC ahead 20-18. FLC eventually won the set 25-23.

Tarnuaskaite said the difference in the fourth set was ball control. FLC stopped playing defensively and went on offense. Tarnuaskaite praised sophomore Jordan DeJesus for her play in the fourth set.

FLC’s first game will be against Texas Permian Basin in the Angelo State Tournament on September 6th. The first home game will not be until September 27th.

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