3A volleyball: CSCS plays just like a champion on Day 1

DENVER • Colorado Springs Christian School might as well be playing on its home court. The Lions certainly are familiar with their surroundings.

Buoyed by a front-line attack that features 6-foot-5 Morgan Broekhuis and 6-foot power hitter Brianne Vande Griend, CSCS played like the top seed in Class 3A, sweeping No. 8 Platte Valley and No. 5 Faith Christian.

Check out photos from the opening day of the state tournament.

Any questions about whether the Lions could handle the pressure of being the five-time defending champions were answered quickly Friday during pool play at the Denver Coliseum — a venue that CSCS has grown to cherish.

“The court where we played today was the same court where we won that first state championship five years ago,” coach Mike Broekhuis said. “I told the girls that this court is ours. There’s nothing new about this for us.”

The Lions, using a game plan built on intimidation and power, improved to 27-0 and secured a spot in today’s semifinals.

Vande Griend and Broekhuis were both good for a kill on more than half of their attempts. Broekhuis was 19 of 27, and Vande Griend finished with 12 kills.

“Anytime they’re killing more than 50 percent of their swings, you know they’ve just been dominant,” coach Broekhuis said.

Broekhuis and Vande Griend combined for 14 kills in the first set alone against Faith Christian.

“Our hitting was definitely stronger in our second game,” Vande Griend said. “We need to come out that way tomorrow.”

The Lions’ strategy isn’t a secret — attack at the net and dare others to stop them.

“They all know we’re going to hit it outside and rely on our power up front,” coach Broekhuis said. “But when we’re hitting like that, there just isn’t another team that can keep up with that.”

After losing its first two matches, No. 7 St. Mary’s must win today against No. 6 Middle Park to have a shot at advancing to the semifinals.

 The Pirates (22-5) fell 3-0 to No. 2 Valley and 3-1 to No. 3 Eaton.

“We have a whole new rotation, and our serve and serve receive were really improved in that second game,” St. Mary’s coach Melissa Sweeney said. “I think we’ve built a little confidence for Middle Park.”