7-0 and Rolling: Golden High School Demons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Golden is off to a 7-0 start, and there is plenty to like about this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Demons have a mix of experience, young talent, size, and versatility. More importantly, those pieces are already showing up in different areas of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a senior pin carrying a big offensive load to a freshman making an early impact, Golden has plenty of names worth watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='734452' first='Evelyn' last='Cheatham']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734452"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72412c8f83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'0", senior [player_tooltip player_id='734452' first='Evelyn' last='Cheatham'] has been a major offensive piece for Golden. She has already recorded 81 kills while averaging 3.9 kills per set and hitting .392.&nbsp;However, the numbers only tell part of the story. Every time Cheatham plays, she seems to show another part of her game. She can attack from anywhere in the front row, which gives Golden plenty of options when the offense is in system.&nbsp;Additionally, Cheatham does a nice job keeping opposing defenses on their toes. If a team takes away one option, she can find another. That versatility has made her a difficult matchup and an important part of Golden's strong start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1011457' first='Riley' last='Cheatham']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1011457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72412c8ff8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'1", freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1011457' first='Riley' last='Cheatham'] is already bringing plenty of size and potential to Golden's lineup. She has recorded 48 kills this season while averaging 2.3 kills per set and hitting .349. More importantly, Cheatham is showing flashes of what makes her such an exciting young player. She has a quick arm and does a nice job making herself available in transition. On top of that, she can also use her length to create opportunities at the net. Meanwhile, she is continuing to learn her angles and figure out how to get the most out of her reach. As those details continue to come together, Cheatham has plenty of room to keep developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1002555' first='Vivian' last='Pearson']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002555"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72412c904b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1002555' first='Vivian' last='Pearson'] stands 6'0" and is helping Golden run one of the fastest and most efficient offenses we've seen from the team. She has already recorded 159 assists and added 18 blocks this season. One thing that stands out is how well Pearson spreads the offense. She keeps multiple hitters involved, which prevents the attack from becoming predictable. As a result, Golden can create opportunities from several different spots on the court. Additionally, Pearson is confident on the defensive side. Her 6'0" frame gives her a strong presence at the net, and her blocking adds another dimension to her game. That combination of setting, size, and versatility makes Pearson an important piece of Golden's 7-0 start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='532664' first='Maddelyn' last='Goodman']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["532664"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72412c9097"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior, [player_tooltip player_id='532664' first='Maddelyn' last='Goodman'] has been a steady presence in Golden's back row. She has already collected 74 digs this season.&nbsp;Goodman brings a solid platform and strong reading skills to the position. More importantly, she reacts quickly and has a great feel for how much power she needs to put behind each pass.&nbsp;That control allows her to make adjustments instead of simply reacting to the ball. As a result, Goodman gives Golden a reliable first-contact option and helps keep the offense in system.&nbsp;Meanwhile, her feel for the back row continues to stand out. She reads the court well, controls the ball, and stays composed when rallies get chaotic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Demons Are Rolling</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 7-0 start takes contributions from the entire roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Golden has seniors bringing experience, underclassmen making an impact, and players stepping up in different areas of the court. Cheatham brings offensive firepower, while [player_tooltip player_id='1011457' first='Riley' last='Cheatham'] is developing into an exciting young option.&nbsp;At the same time, Pearson is helping run an efficient offense, and Goodman is providing stability in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most importantly, those pieces are working together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is still plenty of volleyball left to play, but Golden has already given us plenty of reasons to keep watching. We'll be keeping an eye on the Demons as this season continues!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado high school volleyball coverage, player standouts, rankings, recruiting content, and more, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->