The motherlode of volleyball matches this season is not exactly what the doctor ordered for Pine Creek coach Ashlynn Smith.

Smith, eight months pregnant, is fired up for today’s game at fellow Pikes Peak No. 1 Doherty that will decide the 5A Metro League championship and the host of the district tournament.

“It’s just exciting,” Smith said. “(Spartans coach) Julie (Ortiz) and I have battled. You know, she had a baby at the beginning of the season and I have mine at the end. So that’s kind of fun, going through that milestone together. We’re very similar teams and it’s just gonna be a battle. I’m excited.”

“At least my timing was better,” Ortiz said. “Well, I don’t know. Right now I have a whole lack of sleep and she’s probably getting some sleep.”

Smith missed practice Monday after a visit to the doctor came with orders to put her feet up. But she won’t be resting today in what will be a game of “redemption,” as Pine Creek outside hitter Nikki Glass called it.

Last season, the Eagles (15-3, 4-0) beat Doherty (14-4, 4-0) during the regular season to capture the league title. But the last time the two teams met, the Spartans beat top-seeded Pine Creek in the opening round at state.

And if there wasn’t enough already on the line, several of the girls on both sides play on the same club team, putting major bragging rights into the mix.

“They’re really big rivals,” said libero Lauren Tekavec, who leads Doherty with 271 digs. “So no matter what we’re out to kill.”

Kill is right. The game will feature four of the area’s top hitters in Glass (266 kills) and Lindsay Weaver (152) from Pine Creek and Taylor Simpson (229) and Kelsey English (165) from Doherty. That puts a premium on defense.

“That’s what’s gonna win us the game — good, scrappy defense,” Simpson said.

Weaver said the Eagles (15-3, 4-0) have been working hard on their blocking as well.

“This is the game to win,” Weaver said. “It’s a big game for the city and it’s a big rivalry and it just helps us going into districts and state and everything.”

Although the teams won’t likely meet in districts or regionals, players and coaches from both squads are counting on meeting again at state.

“If we both play the way we know how to play — Dohety and us — through districts and regionals we should absolutely be able to make it to state,” Smith said.

Smith hopes her pregnancy makes it to state as well. She is due Nov. 14 — the day after the state tournament ends.

Oh, baby.

Coach Ashlynn Smith, who is eight months pregnant, rested at practice on Wednesday in preparation for Pine Creek’s match at Doherty on Friday night that will decide the 5A Metro League championship. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE