Small Schools Volleyball preview: CSCS seeks another title

Morgan Broekhuis, a 6-foot-5 senior at Colorado Springs Christian School, is considered by many to be the state’s best volleyball player, as last fall’s Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year award suggests.

She joins seniors Hannah Walker and Brianne Vande Griend as CSCS seeks its sixth straight 3A state championship in seven years. It’s hallowed ground but not the best in state history. Evergreen, Fowler, Merino and Platte Valley have all won nine titles, including eight in a row for Evergreen (1978-85).

All three CSCS seniors have given verbal commitments to Division I schools. Broekhuis decided on Nebraska while Vande Griend will go to Alabama and Walker to Colorado.

“We’re pushing not to lose a match this year,” said CSCS coach Mike Broekhuis, whose team has a difficult early season schedule that includes Doherty and a tournament at Eaglecrest. “With the size we have, we can go up and power over most 3A teams. We’re anxious to see how we do against the 5A teams early in the season.

“Our girls have worked hard and they just love to play volleyball. If I stuck them out in the desert, they’d still play volleyball.”

While the Lions overwhelm most foes, they will again be challenged in Tri-Peaks West by The Classical Academy, a perennial state qualifier that features sensational senior setter Lauren Alejo and athletic sophomore middle blocker Katie Reininger.

St. Mary’s, which is led by Christina Whitelaw and setter Kylie Cornella, looks to be the class of Tri-Peaks East.

CLASS 3A
The Classical Academy — Savvy senior setter Lauren Alejo is a coach on the floor for her mother Lori, who is in her sixth successful year as the Titans’ coach. Sophomore Katie Reininger keys the front-line attack and defense while senior Gina Buzzetta and junior Meagan Brady excel at defense and passing. Freshmen Claire Felix and Jessica Klingensmith are promising middles while sophomore Shannon Durck plays outside.
Colorado Springs Christian School — Ashley Peak and Katie Maguire help key the back-line defense and passing game that sets up 6-5 Morgan Broekhuis and 6-0 Brianne Vande Griend. Versatile Hannah Walker is the glue to this talented team that includes Heather Poll and sophomore Summer Greager.
Ellicott — New coach Dawn Bechthold has three returning starters and high hopes for a team with four returning starters. The Thunderhawks are led by senior libero Journey Kaczor, senior setter Ashley Elwood and senior outside hitters Chelsea Wheeler and Isabel Kirk.
Florence — New coach Julie Milam benefits from five returning starters, so experience and potential make the Huskies a threat. Junior outside hitter Kelsey Reichert complements senior middles Kaitlynn Boldt and Kayti Frost while junior setters Tamara Keeler and Sam Faoro will also feed senior hitters Kayla Fisher and Miranda Giebel.
James Irwin — No returning starters are back for coach Jewell Melillo.
Manitou Springs — Junior outside hitters Calla Urban and Devin Keating, senior middle blocker Meri Ninz and junior libero Kristy Chase are battle-tested for coach Bridgett O’Connor, whose squad is usually among the area’s best. Junior middle Lisa Wood and sophomore setter Connor Wilkinson are key players.
Peyton — Melissa Irwin is the top returning player for new coach Tamara Harnden, who will also rely on Megan Wohlrabe, Michaela Stapp, Samantha Patterson and Julie Hothan.
St. Mary’s — Six returning starters make the Pirates a contender for league and state honors. Accomplished setter Kylie Cornella teams with Alex Blitzer, Hillary Stefanec, Kelsey McCarty, Laurel Gardner and Christina Whitelaw for a fast-paced attack. Athleticism and versatility need to overcome a lack of size for postseason success.
Class 2A
Calhan — Junior outside hitters Jessi Tubbs and Sarah McNulty are the top returning players for sixth-year coach Lori McCoin, who is counting on former junior varsity players and freshmen to produce.
Colorado Springs School — Senior setters Marissa Quintero and Karly Lindroth-Yates return from last year’s team that reached the state championship match. Also back are senior middle Hannah Jacobson and junior middle Nikki Hollenbeck, along with sophomore Kurstyn Morley. Coach Kyong Lee expects the Kodiaks to battle traditional league powers Simla and Kiowa for supremacy.
Cripple Creek-Victor — Four seniors — Hallie Bielz, Sarah Burke, Vanessa Garcia and Maddie Koenig — return.
Evangelical Christian Academy — A large and solid senior class should make the Eagles a contender for second-year coach Diana Mazzetti. Key players, all seniors, are libero Jenny Schalter, setter Julia Morin and hitters Nikita Williams, Merrily Brast, Erin Scherb, Abby Chu and Ashley Branch.
Fountain Valley— A quartet of returning players includes seniors Nelli Anderson and Haley McCann and sophomore setter Alex Chelsey. The Danes need contributions from newcomers Kim Donaldson, Morgan McCurdy and Alex Ochoa.
Hanover — Seniors Kirstie Reimers and Jennifer Lenz lead a good crop of freshmen.
Kiowa — Dominating senior front-liner Taylor Castillo, accomplished senior setter Joy Smith and senior hitter Kayla Gabehart hope to lead the Indians to state success. Junior front-liner Kira Wendrych is another versatile player for second-year coach Matthew Smith.
Miami-Yoder — New coach Jessie McKnight welcomes back four starters, including senior outside hitters Kim Hazelton and Megyn Pfeifer, a pair of competitive leaders. Middles Vanessa Burney, a junior, and sophomore Tara Parks also return to lead the Buffaloes.
Pikes Peak Christian — Three senior returning starters — middle Amanda Carr, setter Ashley Stevens and outside hitter Puneet Chahal — are keys to the Eagles’ success in veteran coach Don Lash’s first year at the school. Senior Brianna Euken and junior Tori Spitzer are other top contributors.
Vanguard School— Coach Michelle Fowler’s squad enters its second season. Senior setter Justine Saiz is a key player along with junior Jacky Brenton and sophomore Sally Heil. Juniors Ally Callahan and Holly Hatton plus seniors Jenni Hines and Amber Alderete also have varsity experience.
Class A
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind — Junior setter Chelsea Elstad has a pair of talented hitters to go to in junior Alison O’Hara and senior Angelique Elrod. Freshman Olivia Sampson hopes to contribute for veteran coach Nancy Pellow.
Edison — Hitter Ariel Feltner is the Eagles’ only senior but coach Angie Golding still views her team as a top contender for league honors. Junior setter Jenna Frank will be counted on heavily, as will versatile junior Cayla Grasmick, a transfer from Miami-Yoder.
Hilltop Baptist — Six starters return for eighth-year coach Terah Rawlings, who expects to contend for Black Forest League honors. Senior setter Bobbie Barta will assist senior outside hitters Carissa Devoy and Emily Garvey. Senior defensive specialist Andrea DeJesus is a key contributor as are junior Trista Donaho and sophomore Zipporah Harris.