CHSAANow

Category: Girls Volleyball

  • Lewis-Palmer volleyball hoping talent, depth can lead to defense of title

    State volleyball lewis-palmer coronado
    Lewis-Palmer’s Alexa Smith, left. (Pam Wagner)

    While some teenagers spend their summer relaxing and trying to get away from it all, Alexa Smith was bringing home a gold medal.

    The Lewis-Palmer senior competed for the United States Junior National volleyball team in the NORCECA Women’s U20 Continental Championship in July in Guatemala. The U.S. spent a few days training in Minnesota before heading to Guatemala City, where the team played four matches and claimed the gold.

    “It was a really awesome opportunity. It was just really cool representing the USA,” Smith said. “I learned a ton. Just to play in that environment, it does make you a better player.”

    That could be a scary sentiment for the rest of the Class 4A state ranks headed into the 2014 season. Lewis-Palmer is the defending state champion, and Smith is the reigning 4A player of the year after tallying 461 kills, 236 digs and 50 aces as a junior.

    The Rangers swept Air Academy in three games to wrap up their first state title since 2002.

    “It does really fire us up. Having that state championship kind of puts some pressure on your back,” Smith said. “But I think our team performs really well under pressure.”

    Lewis-Palmer graduated four seniors off a team that won 27 games. Nicole Montgomery returns on the right side, and Elizabeth Reich and Lydia Bartolo were key contributors as freshmen. Mariah Evans will take over at setter.

    “One thing that we haven’t had in a long time is depth,” Rangers coach Susan Odenbaugh said. “We go pretty deep into the roster.”

    It’s one reason why Odenbaugh’s squad opened as the No. 1 team in the preseason.

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Smith has been sensational since coming into Lewis-Palmer as a freshman, when she notched 545 kills. That number has decreased over the past three years, but Odenbaugh said what makes Smith so dangerous is that the other parts of her game keep improving. She noted that Smith had the second-highest passing percentage of anyone in the international tournament.

    Smith has already committed to play at Purdue University next fall.

    “It was just the atmosphere,” she said. “I really enjoyed the coaches and players. It just felt right — I could see myself playing on that court.”

    First there is the matter of this season though. Cheyenne Mountain and Air Academy each won 23 games a year ago and are in the Pikes Peak League with Lewis-Palmer.

    Pueblo West, Ponderosa and Elizabeth are among the other 4A contenders.

    “I think you’re only going to improve by playing really challenging teams,” Odenbaugh said. “When we play in our league, that league championship means a lot to everybody. I think that prepares you for that level of competition you’re going to see at state.”

    [divider]

    Class 4A volleyball

    Defending champion: Lewis-Palmer

    Runner-up: Air Academy

    Returning All-State players: Matti Dabovich, Sr., Pueblo West (2nd team); Mika Dickson, Jr., Cheyenne Mountain (1st); Jessica Jackson, Sr., Thomas Jefferson (1st); Celeste James, Jr., Thomas Jefferson (1st); Ashley Pagan, Jr., Air Academy (2nd); Becca Page, Sr., Ponderosa (1st); Jordan Pingel, Sr., Air Academy (1st); Jenna Price, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (2nd); Allegra Shippy, Sr., Pueblo West (2nd); Alexa Smith, Sr., Lewis-Palmer (1st); Allison Smith, Jr., Ponderosa (2nd).

    Regular Season begins: Aug. 21

    Playoffs begin: Regionals completed by Nov. 1

    Championship: Nov. 7-8 at Denver Coliseum

  • Nikki Kinzer, a familiar face, returns to Rampart volleyball

    (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)
    Rampart volleyball is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A’s preseason poll. (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — When former Rampart standout Nikki Kinzer walked off the court for the final time in the fall of 2008, she had no idea which direction her life was headed. She was about to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder to play volleyball, but that was the extent of her plan. When she started school, she realized she had a passion for English and decided that teaching would be in her future.

    After one season with the Buffs, she transferred to CU’s Colorado Springs campus, continued her volleyball career and worked toward her goal of educating teenagers. After graduation, Kinzer entered in District 11’s student teaching program and joined the Doherty volleyball staff. In the winter of 2013, a conversation with her dad cemented her path and led to her toward her “dream job.”

    Kinzer was attending a Rampart hockey game, cheering on her younger brother Mitch when her dad passed on news he had heard while sitting in the stands. The Rams were without a volleyball coach.

    (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)
    Nikki Kinzer, right, first got a look at her squad at the University of Northern Colorado Classic. (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)

    “My dad found out about it and thought it would be a good in for teaching if anything,” Kinzer said. “When I applied, that’s what I was going for. It would be sweet to go back and teach at my old high school.”

    Kinzer was hired as the coach before the school formally hired her as a teacher. Her focus remained on teaching and working with high school students, but with the coaching job in hand, she would have gladly worked as a middle school teacher in the district until another position opened up at the high school.

    But it turned out, it was an unnecessary concern. Two months later, she was hired as an English teacher at Rampart, allowing her to fully dive into the volleyball season.

    Over the summer, through open camps and the University of Northern Colorado Classic, she was able to get a feel for her team and the potential they have going into this season. The Rams only lost three players to graduation last year. This year they have six returning seniors in August Raskie (setter), Amanda Cushen (outside hitter), Janice Jin (middle), Holly Brennan (outside hitter), Ashlyn Hare (outside hitter) and Christina Mandico (defensive specialist).

    “Getting on the court with them, I could tell they would do whatever it took to win,” Kinzer said. “I knew they would take whatever extra time they needed to, obviously we have some big hitters returning.”

    Kinzer took her team to the UNC Classic where they were pooled with 82 other teams from around the state. Her Rams played 16 games in the “steal the seed” formatted tournament, going 15-1 to win the tournament. It was this first true glimpse of her team that indicated how special this first year can be for her and her squad.

    (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)
    (Courtesy of Kathy Gorab-Ohl)

    “The offensive threat that we posed was pretty impressive,” Kinzer said. “We have so many all-around players there too. Amanda Cushen plays all the way around and does an excellent job on defense. It’s going to make it tough on me to try and figure out positions, but it’s nice to have that many options.”

    The rest of the state thinks so, too: Rampart opened at No. 1 in 5A’s preseason ranking.

    The regular season scheduled to start Aug. 22.

    [divider]

    Class 5A volleyball

    Defending champion: Grandview

    Runner-up: Arapahoe

    Returning All-State Players: Haley McLaren, Sr., Grandview (1st); Jordyn Poulter, Sr., Eaglecrest (1st); Ally Clancy, Sr., Douglas County (2nd), Shannon Lanza, Sr., Fossil Ridge (2nd); Madison Laufenberg, Sr., Castle View (2nd); Bridgette Lococo, Sr., Fossil Ridge (2nd); Kaitlyn Schwatrz, Sr., Fossil Ridge (2nd); Santaisha Sturges, Sr., Regis Jesuit (2nd); Chelsie Thompson, Sr., Rangeview (2nd)

    Regular season begins: Aug. 21

    Playoffs begin: Oct. 25

    State championship: Nov. 7-8 (Denver Coliseum)

  • Resurrection Christian volleyball wants “to win state again”

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    Resurrection Christian claimed last year’s Class 2A championship. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Last year, the Resurrection Christian volleyball team was somewhat of an unknown quantity.

    By season’s end, all of Class 2A knew just how good the Cougars were.

    Resurrection Christian, which is located in Loveland, had a perfect season, posting a 29-0 record en route to capturing the first volleyball state championship in school history.

    Now, the Cougars have reloaded for another run at state supremacy.

    “I have very high expectations (for 2014),” veteran coach Caleb Howard said. “The girls are not mincing words. They want to win state again.”

    Howard and his team has reason to be confident.

    The Cougars return two first-team all-state players, outside hitter Preston Lienemann and setter Madison Webb — both seniors — and second-team all-state selection Abby Skipworth, a junior outside hitter.

    And they opened at No. 1 in CHSAANow.com’s preseason poll.

    (Courtesy of Resurrection Christian)
    (Courtesy of Resurrection Christian)

    “We are not going to sneak up on anybody this year,” Howard said. “We were a bit of underdog last year for sure. At the beginning of the summer I did worry some about fighting off apathy or simply resting on our laurels, but as the summer progressed I don’t have to worry about that anymore because of the competitive nature of these girls.”

    Resurrection Christian defeated Lutheran (25-18, 25-19, 25-13) in the state title match a year ago, but Lutheran will not be a contender for the 2A crown this season as the school has moved up to 3A volleyball.

    “Yuma was a young team last year and we expect them to be very good again this season,” Howard said. “Then, you have some teams that are always good like Fowler and Akron.”

    The last time Resurrection Christian lost a match was in pool play during the 2012 state tournament.

    “I loaded up the schedule this season with a couple of 4A teams and some 3A teams,” Howard said. “Our goal is to try and win every match, but we just want to be playing our best at the end of the season.”

    [divider]

    Class 2A volleyball

    Defending champion: Resurrection Christian

    Runner-up: Lutheran (moved up to 3A)

    Returning All-State players: Jordan Baer, Akron, Sr. (1st); Preston Lienemann, Resurrection Christian, Sr. (1st); Tara Traphagan, Yuma, Jr. (1st); Madison Webb, Resurrection Christian, Sr. (1st); Bryna Burns, Sr., Rye (2nd); Taylor Carsten, Paonia, Jr. (2nd); Braya Hunt, Denver Christian, Jr. (2nd); Aly Ridings, Sr., Meeker (2nd); Leah Roberson, Sr., Swink (2nd); Abby Skipworth, Jr., Resurrection Christian (2nd);

    Regular season begins: Aug. 21

    Playoffs begin: Oct. 18

    Championship: Nov, 7-8, Denver Coliseum

  • With loads of talent back, Fleming again a favorite in 1A volleyball

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Fleming volleyball coach Derek Herbert can’t help but smile when he heads to the gym for preseason practice this year.

    Herbert has one of those teams that, for Class 1A coaches, usually come far and between.

    Fleming captured the 1A state title last fall with a junior-laden team. In fact, of the four seniors on the roster, only one started.

    Among the returning starters who received all-state recognition last fall are 5-foot-11 middle hitter Timmi Keisel, 5-foot-2 libero Megan Chintala and 5-foot-6 setter Rachel Frantz — all first-team selections — along with second-team all-state outside hitter Deborah Kurtzer. Keisel was the 1A player of the year.

    “We’ve got some talent,” an understated Herbert said, “but our biggest key is how we work together. A lot still has to come together.”

    Fleming lost only two games in winning pool play, the semifinals and the championship match to take last year’s state title.

    “It takes a lot of chemistry,” Herbert said of the main ingredient of earning a state championship. He should know. Last year’s title victory was Fleming’s fourth in seven years.

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    Fleming is No. 1 in CHSAANow.com’s preseason poll. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    This season, the Wildcats open as No. 1 in the preseason rankings.

    The road to a second straight state title will not be without its challenges. Of the eight teams qualifying for last year’s state tournament, only Dove Creek, which lost to Fleming in the title match, and Caliche were senior dominated. Caliche has since moved up to 2A.

    Otis, a four-time state champion, graduated just one player. Idalia, which had no seniors on its state qualifying squad, could have perhaps the tallest team in 1A with 5-10 outside hitter Reagan Shaffer and 5-10 right-side hitter Stephanie Helling. The Bulldogs and Wolves should compete for supremacy in the YWKC League.

    Sangre de Cristo, which qualified for last season’s 2A tournament, drops to and could be the team to get past in the Southern Peaks League. It also graduated just one player.

    Look for 6-3 senior outside hitter Tanaia Hansen of Eads to be among the dominant forces on net. Kit Carson, another High Plains League power, is also expected to make a strong run toward a return state tournament appearance.

    Another frequent state qualifier, Flager, will again be a force in the Lower Platte League.

    Then there are teams such as Weldon Valley, which gave Fleming all it could handle in the district playoffs last November. The Warriors, which were a sophomore-dominated team, got better as the season progressed.

    “1A’s going to be really tough,” said Herbert, who’s in his 11th season as the Wildcats’ head coach.

    Fortunately for him, that starts with the defending state champs.

    [divider]

    Class 1A volleyball

    Defending champion: Fleming

    Runner-up: Caliche (moved up to 2A)

    Returning All-State players: Megan Chintala, Fleming, Sr. (1st); Rachel Frantz, Fleming, Sr. (1st); Tanian Hansen, Eads, Sr. (1st); Timmi Keisel, Fleming, Sr. (1st); Kylee Kuntz, Otis, Jr. (1st); Antonya Schaffert, Otis, Jr. (1st); Hanna Herman, Fleming, Sr. (2nd); Aurelia Isenbart, Kit Carson, Sr. (2nd); Brooklyn Krehmeyer, Weldon Valley, Jr. (2nd); Deborah Kurtzer, Fleming, Sr. (2nd); Reagan Shaffer, Idalia, Jr. (2nd).

    Regular season begins: Aug. 21

    Playoffs begin: Oct. 18

    Championship: Nov, 7-8, Denver Coliseum

  • Former Doherty volleyball coach Tara Hittle takes over at Valor Christian

    (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)
    Tara Hittle is the new volleyball coach at Valor Christian. (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)

    It wasn’t an easy change, but it was time.

    Tara Hittle, who led Doherty to a state championship two seasons ago, is the new volleyball coach at Valor Christian.

    “I’m really excited to be at Valor,” Hittle said Thursday. “And I loved Doherty. I loved everything about Doherty. It was just kind of time for me personally to make a change. I kind of wanted to get out of the Springs. I was pursuing other options, and it worked out with Valor and I was super excited to now have this opportunity.

    “It’s always a challenge going into a new school. There’s always really high expectations.”

    Hittle coached the Spartans for three seasons, where she had a mark of 67-15. It was a homecoming of sorts: Hittle herself was a standout at Doherty, and led the school to a championship in 2003.

    She went on to play at the University of Hawaii, and later turned pro in Switzerland. In 2011, Hittle moved back to Colorado and got the Doherty job.

    (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)
    Hittle won a state championship at Doherty in 2012, and was also a standout player for the Spartans. (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)

    “I owe (Doherty athletic director) Chris Noll a huge thank you,” Hittle said. “I mean, he hired me just really on my playing experience and having really no coaching experience. He was an amazing boss, and I learned so much through the whole process of being at Doherty.

    “I kept growing as a coach every year. That experience and learning, it’s something that can take you a lot further than you ever thought.”

    Doherty went undefeated (29-0) in 2012 and captured the Class 5A crown. Last season, Hittle led the Spartans to a 21-6 record. They again reached the state tournament, but fell to eventual runner-up Arapahoe in pool play.

    She resigned in January, and was hired by Valor Christian this summer.

    “Going into this new program,” Hittle said, “I have so much more of a base of knowing who I am as a coach, knowing what kids needs are at the high school age, and knowing all the things that play into running a volleyball program.”

    At Valor, Hittle takes over for Lars Nielsen, the only coach in the school’s history who was 87-52 in six seasons. Valor Christian made the 4A tournament each of the last three years, when the team went 57-24.

    The Eagles lose 6-foot outside hitter Kate Gibson, who graduated and is now playing at Memphis. But back is 6-foot-2 Cassidy Wurth — who averaged 2.4 kills and 1.2 blocks per set last season — as well as Kyleigh McDaniel (2.3 kills and 2.4 digs per set) and Megan Moritz (1.0 kills per set). Libero Savannah Cressman (4.5 digs per set) also returns.

    “Yeah, we’re not too shabby,” Hittle said. “We have some talent. We’ve also got a couple of kids that may have been on JV last year, and they’ve really developed.”

    Valor Christian is ranked No. 9 in the preseason poll. For now, Hittle is focused on growth.

    “I felt this way at Doherty, too: Anything I do, I want to do my very best,” Hittle said. “I want us to represent the school and represent the program in a really positive way.

    “I can guarantee you I’ll be learning every step of the way, and I’ll still be growing, and my staff will be growing and we’ll be working things out on a daily basis.”

    (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)
    (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)

  • Rampart tops preseason 5A volleyball ranking

    State volleyball
    Lewis-Palmer, the defending 4A volleyball champion, heads the preseason ranking in that class. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Rampart, Lewis-Palmer, Manitou Springs, Resurrection Christian and Fleming are the preseason No. 1 volleyball teams in their respective classifications.

    CHSAANow.com’s preseason poll was released on Monday, and three of last year’s champions are atop the rankings. Those are Lewis-Palmer, Resurrection Christian and Fleming.

    Rampart, which received eight of the 11 first-place votes, heads the Class 5A poll. The Rams made the state tournament last season, where they went 1-1 in pool play. They return a number of top players from that team.

    Cherokee Trail is No. 2 to start the year, and is followed by No. 3 Fossil Ridge, No. 4 Grandview — the defending champion — and No. 5 Cherry Creek.

    Pine Creek is sixth, Eaglecrest is seventh, Legend is eighth, Arapahoe is ninth and Mountain Vista rounds out the ranking.

    Lewis-Palmer heads 4A. Ponderosa is No. 2, and Air Academy, last year’s runner-up, is third.

    Manitou Springs is on top of the 3A ranking, just ahead of defending champ Eaton. Manitou was runner-up last season.

    Resurrection Christian leads 2A, while Fleming is on top of 1A.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, polls will be released each Monday.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Rampart (8) 105
    2 Cherokee Trail 87
    3 Fossil Ridge (1) 71
    4 Grandview (2) 65
    5 Cherry Creek 54
    6 Pine Creek 51
    7 Eaglecrest 38
    8 Legend 34
    9 Arapahoe 24
    10 Mountain Vista 19
    Others receiving votes:
    Regis Jesuit 12, Liberty 8, Highlands Ranch 7, ThunderRidge 7, Douglas County 5, Fairview 4, Castle View 3, Fruita Monument 3, Monarch 3, Rock Canyon 3, Coronado 2.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Lewis-Palmer (8) 89
    2 Ponderosa 73
    3 Air Academy 64
    4 Cheyenne Mountain (1) 63
    5 Elizabeth 43
    6 Longmont 37
    7 Montrose 34
    8 Pueblo West 30
    9 Valor Christian 25
    10 Thomas Jefferson 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Windsor 7, Berthoud 4, Holy Family 3, Niwot 3, Roosevelt 3, Woodland Park 3, Durango 2, Mullen 2, Thompson Valley 2, Palmer Ridge 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Manitou Springs (5) 74
    2 Eaton (2) 70
    3 Bayfield 60
    4 Valley 54
    5 Platte Valley 50
    6 University 41
    7 Sterling 35
    8 Lutheran 19
    9 St. Mary’s 12
    10 Colorado Springs Christian 11
    Others receiving votes:
    Gunnison 4, Machebeuf 3, Faith Christian 2, Lamar 2, Coal Ridge 1, Pagosa Springs 1, The Academy 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Resurrection Christian (5) 50
    2 Lyons 42
    3 Akron 30
    4 Fowler 28
    5 Meeker 24
    6 Ridgway 23
    7 Yuma 21
    8 Caliche 17
    9 Paonia 15
    10 Dayspring Christian 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Swink 5, Vail Christian 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Fleming (3) 48
    2 Sangre de Cristo (2) 44
    3 Otis 42
    4 Idalia 35
    5 Eads 28
    6 Flagler 24
    7 Kit Carson 19
    8 Hi-Plains 13
    9 Weldon Valley 10
    10 Edison 6
    Others receiving votes:
    Cheraw 2, Liberty/Stratton 2, Heritage Christian 1, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 1.

  • Longmont’s Sydney Wetterstrom commits to Michigan for volleyball

    Sydney Wetterstrom Longmont volleyball
    Sydney Wetterstrom. (Matt Daniels/MaxPreps)

    Sydney Wetterstrom, one of the state’s top all-around athletes in the class of 2016, has committed to Michigan to play volleyball.

    Wetterstrom, who will be a junior at Longmont this fall, tweeted the news of her commitment on Tuesday afternoon:

    Sydney Wetterstrom Longmont volleyball
    Sydney Wetterstrom. (Matt Daniels/MaxPreps)

    She’s the fourth known local volleyball player from the 2016 class to make her college choice.

    Conifer’s Makenna Browne is headed to Oregon State, Lewis-Palmer’s Mariah Evans pledged to North Carolina and Brighton’s Karysa Swackenberg committed to Rutgers. (Find other class of 2016 commits in our database.)

    Last season, Wetterstrom averaged 2.4 kills and 1.9 digs per set, and also had 39 total aces. At 6-foot-1, Wetterstrom plays on both the outside and in the middle — she had a team-high 1.0 blocks per set.

    Longmont reached the Class 4A state tournament last season, where it went 1-1 in pool play.

    Wetterstrom also plays basketball, where she averaged a team-high 17.4 points per game as a forward, and runs track. She was second in the triple jump at the 4A state track meet last spring, and also qualified for the meet in the high jump.

  • All-state volleyball teams for 2013 season

    Doherty's Haleigh Washington, left, with coach Tara Hittle. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)
    Doherty’s Haleigh Washington, left, with coach Tara Hittle. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)

    The 2013 all-state volleyball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These team were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues and coaches, and then a vote of coaches. Find more information here.

    The players who received the most votes in their classification were selected as the player of the year in their class.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Player of the year: Haleigh Washington, Doherty

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Sydney Ederhoff Grandview Senior L
    Whitney Krantz Arapahoe Senior OH
    Taylor Loyd Eaglecrest Senior L/OH
    Grace Marlowe Arapahoe Senior S
    Haley Mclaren Grandview Junior OH
    Morgan Montgomery Grandview Senior OH
    Jordyn Poulter Eaglecrest Junior S
    Gabby Simpson Doherty Senior S
    Alyssa Svalberg Grandview Senior S/RS
    Haleigh Washington Doherty Senior MB
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Ally Clancy Douglas County Junior S
    Sarah Dannettell Fossil Ridge Senior S/RS
    Amanda Herold Cherry Creek Senior MH
    Mikalah Hughes Mountain Vista Senior MH
    Natalya King Regis Jesuit Senior MH
    Kylie Klein Mountain Vista Senior RS/MH
    Shannon Lanza Fossil Ridge Junior DS/L
    Madison Laufenberg Castle View Junior OH
    Bridgette Lococo Fossil Ridge Junior MH
    Allie Miller Heritage Senior L
    Erika Roach Thunderridge Senior OH
    Kaitlyn Schwartz Fossil Ridge Junior S
    Santaisha Sturges Regis Jesuit Junior OH
    Cassie Sulmeisters Cherry Creek Senior OH
    Chelsie Thompson Rangeview Junior S
    Amanda Waterman Mountain Vista Senior OH

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Player of the year: Alexa Smith, Lewis-Palmer

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Maddie Beal Cheyenne Mountain Senior MB
    Mika Dickson Cheyenne Mountain Sophomore L
    Kate Gibson Valor Christian Senior OH
    Emma Igoe Pueblo Centennial Senior L/DS
    Jessica Jackson Thomas Jefferson Junior OH/MH
    Celeste James Thomas Jefferson Sophomore OH/MH
    Becca Mau Longmont Senior OH
    Shea Neill Montrose Senior L
    Becca Page Ponderosa Junior S
    Jordan Pingel Air Academy Junior OH
    Alexa Smith Lewis-Palmer Junior OH
    Cassidy Wurth Valor Christian Senior MH
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Matti Dabovich Pueblo West Junior OH
    Miranda Geist Windsor Senior OH/M
    Breanne Hankins Roosevelt Senior OH
    Celeste Henderson Thomas Jefferson Senior S/RS
    Elena Michalski Longmont Senior S
    Ashley Pagan Air Academy Sophomore OH
    Jenna Price Cheyenne Mountain Junior OH
    Gabi Razma Durango Senior L
    Allegra Shippy Pueblo West Junior MH
    Allison Smith Ponderosa Sophomore OH

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Player of the year: Kortney Lockey, Eaton

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Cori Aafedt Valley Junior S
    Emily Dellenbach Valley Junior MB
    Ryleigh Haynes Eaton Senior S/RS
    Mikayla Hoffman Platte Valley Senior MB
    Bri Lambert Frontier Academy Senior L
    Kortney Lockey Eaton Junior OH
    Nicole Mack Manitou Springs Sophomore OH
    Katie McKiel Manitou Springs Sophomore OH
    Ellie Monarch Brush Senior MH
    Jazmin Montes Platte Valley Senior L
    Tylynn Nelson Holy Family Senior L
    Britt Pierce Eaton Senior L
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Sarah Blain Lamar Senior L
    Anais Vargas University Senior OH
    Kinzie Chrisman Sterling Junior MH/S/RS
    Opal Drapeau Machebeuf Senior OH
    Rikki Franklin Florence Senior S/RS
    Talise Hansen Middle Park Senior L/DS
    Kirstie Hillyer Bayfield Junior MH
    Blayke Hranika Holy Family Junior MH
    Angala Jensen Manitou Springs Sophomore S
    Caiden Rexius Eaton Sophomore OH
    Karen Sigg Eaton Senior S
    Abby Skrastins C.S. Christian Sophomore OH

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Player of the year: Lindsey Moss, Fowler

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Madi Arnell Lutheran Sophomore S
    Jordan Baer Akron Junior MH
    Marina Hansen Yuma Senior S
    Preston Lienemann Resurrection Christian Junior OH
    Lindsey Moss Fowler Senior S/OH
    Connie Olson Lutheran Senior OH
    Jacki Sallee Fowler Senior MB
    Tara Traphagan Yuma Sophomore OH
    Madison Webb Resurrection Christian Junior S
    Carly Whitham Resurrection Christian Senior L
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Bryna Burns Rye Junior L
    Taylor Carsten Paonia Sophomore S
    Braya Hunt Denver Christian Sophomore OH
    Carson Pipher Paonia Senior OH
    Aly Ridings Meeker Junior MH
    Leah Roberson Swink Junior MH
    Rebecca Sewald Kiowa Senior OH
    Abby Skipworth Resurrection Christian Sophomore OH
    Brett Smith Simla Senior L
    Lindsey Tatum Swink Senior OH

    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Player of the year: Timmi Keisel, Fleming

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Megan Chintala Fleming Junior L
    Rachael Edler Caliche Junior OH
    Rachel Frantz Fleming Junior S
    Tania Hansen Eads Junior OH
    Erynn Keeney Rocky Mountain Lutheran Senior S
    Timmi Keisel Fleming Junior MH
    Shelbie Knuckles Dove Creek Senior OH/MH
    Kylee Kuntz Otis Sophomore S
    Sami Morgan Caliche Senior MH
    Haley Patterson Otis Senior OH
    Antonya Schaffert Otis Sophomore OH
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Heidi Cogburn Walsh Senior OH/S
    Hanna Herman Hi-Plains Junior MH/S
    Morgan Howard Cheyenne Wells Senior OH/MH
    Aurelia Isenbart Kit Carson Junior OH
    Michaela Keeler Hi-Plains Senior MH
    Brooklyn Krehmeyer Weldon Valley Sophomore MH
    Deborah Kurtzer Fleming Junior OH
    Dorian Ray Eads Senior L
    Reagan Shaffer Idalia Sophomore OH
    Jennay Terrell Idalia Senior MH
    Makenzie Woods Belleview Christian Senior OH/S
    Madison Young Dove Creek Senior S/MH

  • Legislative Council notebook: 4A basketball staying at 23 games

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — Ultimately, it never even went to a vote.

    A proposal which sought to reduce the maximum number of allowed games in Class 4A basketball from 23 to 19 was withdrawn before any action even took place during Tuesday’s Legislative Council meeting. The Northern League, which originally submitted the proposal, moved to withdraw the proposal during the meeting and there were no objections.

    “The basketball committee continues to look at maximum number of games, and sent out a survey to member schools,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgman, who oversees basketball. “By a 60-40 margin, the 4A schools indicated that 23 games is their preferred choice. But more than that, the current bylaw allows for the basketball committee to develop a format that would limit 4A schools to 19 games, if that is the will of the membership.”

    Similarly, the Northern League’s proposal which would have reduced volleyball to 19 matches was withdrawn. The sport, too, will stay at a maximum of 23 contests.

    “The volleyball committee has worked really hard and is very proud of the current format, including the length of the regular season,” said Bethany Brookens, a CHSAA assistant commissioner who oversees volleyball.

    Additionally, the slight alteration to the match order at volleyball’s state championships was approved.

    5A football seeding committee removed; 8-man gets rid of cross-divisionals

    At December’s football committee meeting, Class 5A programs went away from using Wild Card points to determine playoff qualifiers. Instead, they installed a seeding  committee made up seven administrators, one from each league.

    However, that seeding committee was removed at the Legislative Council meeting Tuesday. A replacement solution to determine postseason qualification in 5A football could come at the next Legislative Council meeting in April. If it doesn’t, that would mean returning to Wild Card points and the process used in past years.

    The 5A schools will meet prior to the April meeting to determine if another qualification format is better. That could be another seeding committee, or another format altogether.

    While discussing the football committee Tuesday, 8-man football changed the way its playoff qualifiers are determined. Instead of using cross-over games, which matched the top four teams from each division against one another, qualifiers will be determined by a new criteria.

    Included is automatic qualification for league champions, as well as a complex set of ways to fill out the rest of the 16-team field. For a full breakdown, see this amendment (.pdf), which was passed.

    Elsewhere:

    • The format for girls soccer’s Class 2A was approved. It will have a 12-team postseason, moving 3A from a 32-team bracket to 24 teams. 2A will begin play in the spring of 2015, meaning girls soccer will have classes 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A. This change does not affect boys soccer, which has 3A, 4A and 5A.
    • File this away for later: A proposal passed which gives CHSAA discretion to add a classification “based on the growth of the CHSAA membership.” This paves the way for an additional class, such as 6A, to be added down the road. We wrote about the details of adding a sixth classification over the summer.
    • There were two changes to the Classification and League Organizing Committee report: Alameda moved from the 4A Jeffco League to the Colorado 7 League and Valor Christian from the 5A Jeffco to the 4A Jeffco. Both of those moves pertain to non-football sports. In Valor’s case, the move was made because the Eagles are competing in the 4A postseason.
    • An amendment to the constitution passed which will not allow schools that offer specialized sport training to become CHSAA member schools. However, students at those schools will be allowed to participate in athletics at other schools.
    • Teams that play down a classification based upon a lack of success will still be allowed to compete for a state championship. A proposal sought to not allow that, but was shot down. This issue was originally raised in part because Coronado won the 3A football title while playing down last fall.

  • Doherty’s Washington named state’s volleyball player of the year

    Doherty's Haleigh Washington, left, with coach Tara Hittle. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)
    Doherty’s Haleigh Washington, left, with coach Tara Hittle. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)

    Doherty star Haleigh Washington was named the state’s volleyball player of the year by Gatorade on Thursday. It is the second year in a row she has been honored with the award.

    Washington, a Penn State recruit, led Doherty to the state tournament this season. Her 589 kills this season were far and away the most across Colorado. In all, she averaged 6.5 kills, 1.9 digs and 1.1 blocks per set this season, and had a .523 kill percentage.

    “Haleigh’s elite athleticism sets her apart from everyone else,” Doherty head coach Tara Hittle said in a release. “She touches 10-foot-9 on her approach jump and can dunk a basketball. She plays the game from a very high point, which gives her an advantage of hitting over any block, and she’s also able to hit the ball straight down at unreal angles.

    “She had to do literally everything for us this season. We set her almost every ball. She is every coach’s dream player. Haleigh is an unbelievable volleyball player.”

    Hittle, a Doherty graduate, also won the award when she played for the Spartans in 2004. Washington is the state’s fourth two-time winner, following Fowler’s Cari Jensen (1999-2000), Colorado Springs Christian’s Morgan Broekhuis (2009-10), and Chaparral’s Nicole Dalton (2011-12).

    Washington is now a finalist for the national player of the year award, which will be announced later this month.

    Doherty's coach Tara Hittle surprises Haleigh Washington with the news that she won the Gatorade player of the year award on Thursday. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)
    Doherty’s coach Tara Hittle surprises Haleigh Washington with the news that she won the Gatorade player of the year award on Thursday. (Courtesy @DHSAthletics on Twitter)