COLORADO SPRINGS – Knocking out a state champions sometimes requires a team to take its hardest shot early in the process.
Earlier this season, Discovery Canyon took a set from Palmer Ridge and made it clear that the Bears are indeed a beatable team. When the teams met on the floor of the Broadmoor World Arena in the Class 4A state tournament, the Thunder again took a massive swing.
But the No. 1-seeded Bears weren’t having any of it.
The defending state champions cruised through the first set before splitting two tough battles only to close out No. 8 Discovery Canyon 25-10, 18-25, 26-24, 25-13 to remain on the winners side of the bracket.
“It gives us perspective for the position we’re in,” Palmer Ridge coach Erica Bradley said. “We’re at a state tournament and we’re seeing the best of the best. You can’t be complacent, and you can’t settle for what you know.”
With some strong hitters scattered through the rotation, it’s tough to say that the Bears (23-3 overall) were totally complacent. They relied on the same offensive attack that has gotten them this far, the Thunder (18-9) just put together a solid plan to defend it. Erika Sayer and Rachel Clawson put together a blocking effort in the second and third sets that completely took the Bears out of rhythm.
“We had a rough time in some of the game,” senior Madison Wilson said. “One of our matches, definitely wasn’t the best but the way we came back made us a better and stronger team.”
The Bears bounced right back and utterly dominated the third set. Wilson finished the match with a team-high 13 kills. Ayla Cullen and Kyra Kisting were on point with their serves, scoring on six aces apiece. Kisting was also vital in setting up the Palmer Ridge offense by dishing out 34 assists.
Palmer RIdge is back on the court at 2 p.m. on Friday while the Thunder will have to stave off elimination when they take on Erie at 9:30 a.m.
No. 4 Thompson Valley 3, No. 5 Frederick 0
Thompson Valley had little trouble getting by Frederick to remain in the winners bracket heading into Friday. The Eagles took the match 25-15, 25-19, 25-16 to move on. They big kills from Jordan Duzenack and Emily Rollins down the stretch to shut the door on the Warriors.
Playing in their first state tournament since 2012, the Eagles are one win away from advancing to the semifinals. They’ll have a tough roadblock ahead of them as they’ll meet defending champion Palmer Ridge at 2 p.m. on Friday.
No. 6 Niwot 3, No. 3 Windsor 0
In the biggest upset of the night, Niwot got a clean sweep over Windsor for its second win of the day.
The Cougars dominated the match from the start and avenged a 2-0 tournament loss to the Wizards from Sept. 11. Niwot plays Cheyenne Mountain at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Wizards now move to the elimination bracket to take on Mead at 12:30 p.m. Mead won the previous two meetings, getting 3-0 wins in each match.
No. 2 Cheyenne Mountain 3, No. 7 Holy Family 1
After a long wait, Cheyenne Mountain finally got into the action of the state tournament and toppled Holy Family 25-15, 25-21, 25-20. The Red-Tailed Hawks became the final team to advance in the winners bracket and are back on the court at 3:30 p.m. where they’ll take on Niwot.
It wasn’t just a goal of the Hawks to get through the first day unscathed, but crucial from how they’re hoping to navigate through the bracket over the next two days.
“We’re a big momentum team and I think that’s a huge part of it,” senior Sydney Morland said. “We had to get the first one under our belt and get ready for tomorrow. We also get a lot of confidence winning that first game.”
Elimination showdowns
Palisade, Holy Family, Mead, Windsor, Berthoud, Frederick, Erie and Discovery Canyon all suffered losses on Thursday. They’ll all return to the World Arena for the four early matches of the day. Elimination is at stake as the losers of those four matches will see their championship hopes come to an end.
Day 2 of the state volleyball tournaments will begin at 8 a.m. at the World Arena.