ERIE >> The Niwot Cougars are awfully difficult to handle once they find their groove out on the volleyball court.

Following a somewhat slow start to their standards, the visiting Cougars took command late in a four-set victory (25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 25-14) over a likewise talented Erie squad on Thursday night.

“We were just having so much fun,” said Niwot’s Olivia Hamlin, who has emerged as a key sophomore contributor. “We were coming together, and we started to build off of everything. Every point was celebrated, no matter if it was a giant kill or if it was just an error on their side.”

Niwot head coach Tony Engel was especially proud of how his Cougars (7-2, 3-0 Granite Peaks League) bounced back from a sloppy four-set win over Fairview on Tuesday. The Cougars’ serving, in particular, took great leaps in the span of about 48 hours.

“We served terribly on Tuesday, and we served really well tonight,” Engel said. “That’s the thing I’m most pleased with. We went out and won that one, compared to playing like we were afraid to lose. That was really the difference.”

Engel added that Niwot’s “excellent” digs on the outside led to success against Erie (3-2, 0-1 GPL).

Libero Elise Arends and fellow seniors Bella Berger and Eloise Vanselus proved willing to hit the ground throughout.

Considering what transpired last year, both Erie and Niwot approached Thursday’s early-season league match with heightened intensity. Almost one year to the day, Niwot beat Erie in four sets, but little did either team know that the early-season result would later grant Niwot the advantage in a tiebreaker for the Granite Peaks League title.

“They always have a solid team, and they come out and compete, so we have to play,” Engel said of Erie.

Niwot and Erie exchanged blows early in the first set before the Cougars ultimately pulled away late, 25-20. Engel’s squad flashed its depth throughout, particularly at the net, and took advantage of multiple Tigers mistakes.

The second set marched to a similar tune, but this time in Erie’s favor. The frontcourt duo of Riley Loschen and Brooklyn Nichols took charge late as the Tigers tied the match with a 25-21 second-set victory.

“We knew it was gonna be a good game, and we knew we were gonna have to fight,” Nichols said. “I think it was just up to us to choose if we wanted to actually put in the effort to fight. I think we could have stayed more positive throughout it, but overall, I think we did pretty well.”

Behind Loschen and Nichols, senior outside hitter Megan Funk and junior libero Olivia Harries were also at their best in the second set.

Niwot regained command with a 25-19 third-set victory and was even more dominant in the fourth set, jumping out to an 8-0 lead before winning it by 11.

“Our energy was really good, and together, we played as a team,” Hamlin said. “We weren’t playing as individuals, but we were playing for each other, not just with each other.”

Niwot returns to action Tuesday with a home match against GPL foe Skyline. Erie will resume nonleague play at Overland on Saturday.

View a list of Prep sports and high school teams we cover.