Centennial – Eaglecrest sure knew how to draw a crowd to its annual invitational tournament Saturday.
Playing to that same crowd, however, was a different matter.
The host Raptors overwhelmed two-time Class 5A defending state champion Grandview in a final many had hoped would pit Grandview against two-time 3A defending state champion Colorado Springs Christian – two teams ranked in the top 15 nationally.
“It was kind of frustrating knowing it was our tournament and everyone wanted different people in the final,” Eaglecrest sophomore Jordan Kissman said.
The Raptors (10-0), ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, began taking that frustration out on Pine Creek in the semifinals of the 16-team tournament, blistering the Eagles with an impressive onslaught of attacking and defending.
That carried into the final as Eaglecrest played with more energy and balance than the Wolves (8-1) and rolled to a 25-21, 25-18 victory.
Junior Courtney Karst had seven kills and two blocks and seemed to key the Raptors emotionally with several devastating shots. Kissman had four kills and eight assists and junior Darcy Schwartzman had three kills and seven assists, including several key plays late in the decisive second game.
“I think Pine Creek just warmed us up for this and helped us out a lot,” Schwartzman said.
The top-ranked Wolves played without 6-foot-5 senior and two-time player of the year Lindsey Licht (foot). Outside hitter Karina Garlington (seven kills) was strong but the Raptors were able to limit the effects of middle blocker Mills (two kills, two blocks) and leaper Sara Nehf (three kills).
Grandview junior setter Lauren VanOrden was solid with 16 assists, two kills and one block.
If the Wolves are looking for a silver lining, it’s that they failed to win this tournament last season and lost twice to their Centennial League rival Raptors during the regular season before repeating as state champions.
Grandview put an end to history in its semifinal victory over Colorado Springs Christian by snapping the Lions’ 66-match winning streak. However, the Lions were missing injured outside hitters Lisa Meeter and Amy Whitlow.
