Mountain Vista and Arvada West took advantage of the chance to play ball as both teams kicked off their baseball seasons on Saturday.
Month: May 2021
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No. 3 Ralston Valley girls volleyball cruises to 5A Region 3 title
ARVADA — It was a confident, but not over-confident undefeated Ralston Valley volleyball team that took to its home court for the final time this season on Friday night.
The No. 3-seeded Mustangs (16-0 record) faced two more hurdles before they could punch their ticket to the Class 5A state tournament scheduled for May 12 and 13 in Colorado Springs. Ralston Valley needed victories over No. 22 Brighton and No. 14 Liberty to continue its season for another week and a half.
Ralston Valley junior Jordan Wisner (7) and senior Jamie Dorczuk (16) combine on a block of Liberty junior Kori Garnhart (11) on Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) “We didn’t want to overestimate any of the teams or underestimate any of the teams,” Ralston Valley senior Brianna Fay said of facing Brighton and Liberty. “Coming in with an undefeated season we were feeling great, but we didn’t want to underestimate anyone. We want to come out and play our game.”
The Mustangs might not have been perfect, but they were pretty close. Ralston Valley dominated Brighton with a 3-0 victory with set scores of 25-19, 25-23 and 25-10 to open up the 5A Region 3 tournament. Liberty cruised past the Bulldogs in straight sets to create a winner-take-all situation in the final match of the night.
Ralston Valley took care of business with another straight-set victory. The Mustangs defeated the Lancers 25-19, 25-13 and 25-10 to officially qualify for the state tournament.
“Being the top team everyone wants to play their best game against you,” Ralston Valley coach Ashley Ahlman said. “I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet. That is super encouraging. I thought we played well tonight. I thought we had moments of greatness. I’m excited to have another week and a half with this team and see how much further we can push. See how much better we can be.”
Fay was outstanding with a trio of service runs against Liberty. She was also impressive with a handful of kills from the backline on spikes in both matches.
“She (Fay) is 100 percent the most athletic kid in any gym we walk into,” Ahlman said. “She can do it all. I love that kid. She is special.”
Ralston Valley junior Emerson Reinke (9) gets ready to set up either Jamie Dorczuk (16) or Taylor Scherff (4) during the Class 5A Region 3 tournament Friday night at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Ralston Valley senior Jamie Dorczuk had a strong match against Liberty, especially in the second set. Dorczuk had a trio of kills to give the Mustangs firm control of the match.
“It was a roller coast of emotions. It’s bittersweet,” Dorczuk said after playing her final home match. “I love this team. It was exciting, but sad at the same time. I’m just excited about us getting this far.”
Ralston Valley senior Emerson Tacha’s service winner was the final point of the night. The Mustangs celebrated on its home court for the final home match of the season before being presented the Region 3 plaque.
“We’ve had eyes on the prize since the start,” Ahlman said. “The first practice of the season my setter (Emerson Reinke) walked in and said, ‘We are winning this.’ I think every single day they have walked into the gym with that mentality.”
Ralston Valley senior Taylor Scherff, left, attempts to put a spike down over Liberty sophomores Brooklyn Rinard (10) and Kyra Bishop (1) during the second set in the regional final Friday night at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) It will be a bit of a wait for the Mustangs. The state tournament was originally scheduled for May 10 and 11 the NORCO Volleyball Facility in Loveland, but moved a little over a week ago to May 12 and 13 at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.
“We kind of have this gap, but what I love most about this team is they love being together,” Ahlman said. “We are going to make the most of it. These last few weeks are going to be so much fun. I love every day I get with these kids.”
Ralston Valley has paired it talent and depth to gain plenty of confidence. The Mustangs have dropped only five sets in their 16 matches this season.
“I feel super confident with our team,” Fay said. “We have every single thing you need … defense, offense and the perfect setter who can put the ball wherever we need it at any time. I think we can take state this year.”
No. 1 Mountain Vista, No. 2 Rampart and No. 9 Chatfield joined Ralston Valley on winning regional tournaments Thursday and Friday. The remaining four regionals will be played Saturday, May 1.
Ralston Valley senior Brianna Fay, left, had a huge regional tournament Friday night. Fay had a number of service winners and kills as the Mustangs rolled past Brighton and Liberty to capture the Class 5A Region 3 title and a berth in the 8-team 5A state tournament May 12 and 13 in Colorado Springs. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) -
Photos: Boulder football tops Fort Collins in 5A first round
Fourth-seeded Boulder moved into the Class 5A football semifinals after beating No. 5 Fort Collins 21-14 on Friday.
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Photos: Ralston Valley girls volleyball advances to state tournament
ARVADA — Ralston Valley is on to the girls volleyball state tournament after beating Liberty and Brighton to win regionals.
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Liberty vs. Brighton
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Ralston Valley vs. Brighton
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Ralston Valley vs. Liberty
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2A boys soccer: Late goal gives Crested Butte second title in three seasons
COLORADO SPRINGS — As a middle schooler, Jacob Bernholtz watched as Crested Butte won a state soccer championship. He sat in the stands, vowing to himself that one day he would get to do for his school what he was seeing unfold right in front of him.
Two years later, he came through on his promise. His goal was the difference as Crested Butte claimed its second Class 2A boys soccer crown in the last three seasons.
Coming off a 6-0 win in the semifinals, the Titans had to battle with Thomas MacLaren, a Colorado Springs area school, to complete the journey they set out on two months ago. A shift in the season and the uncertainty of what COVID would do to the boys soccer season made things a bit more difficult. But the 2-1 win over the Highlanders was the payoff that the boys were hoping for since the moment the season began in March.
“I’m just bless to be able to play on this field with this group of guys,” Bernholtz said. “Look at these fans, they drove five hours to be here. Our coaching staff is unbelievable. Look at (head coach Than Acuff), he’s been here for so many years and I love this guy.”
More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com) The early minutes of the game saw two seemingly evenly matched teams trying to capitalized on every opportunity they could get. An early shot from the Titans (10-1-2 overall) was snagged by Highlanders keeper Jeth Fogg, keeping the game scoreless. Each team had a header chance in the first half, but neither capitalized.
The scoreless tie was broken on a brilliant header from Blue Gardner that shot by the outstretched arms of Fogg.
“It was great momentum,” Gardner said. “It got us that lead in the first half and helped push us forward.”
The Highlanders (9-4) got the momentum back in the second half, scoring on a header of their own. Junior Michael Brophy slammed it into the net to score his 20th of the year, but more importantly equalizing the score and keeping their hopes for a first state championship alive.
“MacLaren came out win a A-plus game in the start of the second half,” Acuff said. “They had us on the ropes and when they scored I realized we were back to a real game again.”
Right away the Titans had two chances to regain the lead, but just couldn’t get the ball on the net. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that a centering pass set Bernholtz up for the winning goal. Just a sophomore, he can still recall the day he saw the Titans win a state title and that feeling means as much to him now as it did then.
“I just remember watching my captain Gabi Marmolejo bang one into the top corner,” he said. “I remember watching that and thinking that I want to get one for my school too.”
And he did just that. And for a five-hour drive, he gets to enjoy that feeling with his teammates and celebrate a championship with the Crested Butte community.
(Brad Cochi) -
4A boys soccer: Windsor caps undefeated season with first state title
COLORADO SPRINGS — For over 60 minutes, there was a lot physicality, just very little scoring. That all changed when a flurry in front of the net found the sure foot of Matt Hansen.
John Burnett, Windsor’s leading scorer, was good for more than a goal per game all season long, but to win the Class 4A boys soccer title, he opted for an assist. His header sent the ball into the direction of the net where Hansen converted the lone goal of the game, getting a 1-0 win over Denver North. For the first time in school history Windsor is a boys soccer state champion.
“It is the history of Windsor High School,”Windsor coach Philip Weiser said. “They have drawn the map to greatness. They have drawn the map for everyone who comes after them to get to the top. That’s the definition of greatness.”
The Wizards (14-0 overall) knew that physicality was going to be a part of their battle at Weidner Field, the home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com) It was a challenge they were happy to embrace. Each team was dealt mulitple yellow cards and there were will likely be a few score body parts in the coming days. But being handed the state championship trophy in front of a rowdy Windsor crowd made every bump and fall worth it.
“It’s always worth it,” Burnett said. “You always have to fight for that. No one’s going to give it to you.”
It was in the second half of the battle that the Wizards were able to break the scoreless tie. A corner kick went right into Burnett’s direction and he fired a header toward the direction of the net. The second touch came from Hansen who put it into the net, unleashing a wave of emotion through the Wizards roster.
“Happiness, excitement,” Hansen said. “I can’t really explain it, it’s a state final. The first one in school history and it’s good to get our name in the history books.”
While they played at a fast pace, the Vikings (12-2) could never get settled on the offensive side and generate many great scoring opportunities. Lukas Williams had been solid in net all year, allowing just seven goals heading into the championship game.
“We don’t really talk too much about the other team, we just talk about us,” Hansen said. “Going into halftime, we just knew we had to tuck in and stay more connected in the middle.”
This was the first state championship game in school history for the boys soccer team. The Wizards are normally a high-scoring team, averaging 3.7 goals per game heading into Saturday. But in order to make history for the school, all they needed was one.
“Every time we walk through the gym, there’s an empty spot for a state championship flag,” Burnett said. “We keep saying that is where the flag is going to go. And that’s where it’s going. It’s amazing.
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5A boys soccer: Mazur’s deep strike gives Fairview first state title
COLORADO SPRINGS — For the last 60 years, the walls of Fairview have been missing a boys soccer state championship banner. Only once had the Knights gotten the opportunity to get one, but that was 36 years ago and they were on the losing end of a title game against Northglenn.
Standing in their way this time was a No. 16 seed that had beaten No. 1, No. 8 and No. 4 and looked to cap off one of the most magical runs in Colorado boys soccer history. But it wasn’t meant to be. Sebastien Mazur scored early in the second half and the Knights held on to beat the Bruins 2-0 to claim the Class 5A boys soccer state championship.
“We know the quality of Cherry Creek,” coach Eric Schuler said. “They did all the work to get to the championship and it wasn’t by accident. They’re unbelievably well-coached, they’re unbelievably talented and they went through murderer’s row to get here.”
They showed why in the early minutes of the match. They built chances to score and Blake Wellington saved a shot that came from a rebound on a Knox Quarles save. The Bruins (9-5 overall) weren’t going to be an easy team to beat.
But the Knights (13-0-1) were determined to try.
In the 13th minute, Jake Milanski ripped a free kick toward the top of the Cherry Creek goal and just over the reach of Quarles, but it also carried just over the crossbar.
The first 10 minutes of the second half provided the most drama as Cyrus Gulati was taken down in the box, giving the Bruins a penalty kick. Loui took the opportunity but his shot carried high.
More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com) “(I let out) a very big (sigh of relief),” Fairview sophomore keeper Shane Williams said. “I’ve faced a lot of PK’s and it’s not often that they miss so it always feels good when they do.”
The ensuing Fairview possession was when Mazur found his alley ripped a shot toward the Creek net.It was just his second goal of the season, but it will be one he’ll remember for the rest of his life.
“”We’re going to have a banner on the wall now,” Mazur said,. “Our names are in Fairview history which is awesome. I feel so proud of my school.”
Down a goal, the Bruins pressed late in the second half getting two late corner kick opportunities, but neither resulted in a true scoring chance.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Wellington took a free kick from about 35 yards out that was punched away by Williams who seemed more than up to the task of keeping the Bruins out of his net for the course of 80 minutes.
“It’s fun because when I started playing here, it was scary,” Williams said. “They’re all big and I had never played against anyone that old. Now that I’ve been here for 10 months, it’s fun.”
Tristan Hird then added a goal in the 79th minute to push the lead to 2-0 and close the door on Creek’s Cinderella run.
This was the second appearance in a state soccer championship game for Fairview. The Knights lost 2-1 to Northglenn back in 1984.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)