Sweat, sacrifice and sisterhood added up to a sweep and another Class 2A volleyball state championship for Fowler on Saturday night.
Seizing momentum from the outset, the Grizzlies (30-1) downed Resurrection Christian 25-15, 25-21, 25-19 for their second consecutive title under coach Sandy Moss and 12th overall.
“I can’t believe it,” Moss said. “We played so well. We never went into a fog, although we might be driving home in a fog.”
Fowler built leads of 8-1 and 15-2 en route to its 10-point Game 1 triumph. The Grizzlies dug out many of the Cougars’ hitting attempts and benefited from RC hitting errors. Fowler also immediately adapted to RC’s defense, often dinking over the double block, including the 6-foot-1 Anna Dewald.
The second game was the closest, featuring two ties. RC (27-4) gained a 19-14 lead on three consecutive kills by Dewald and Rebekah Moser’s solid serving.
Fowler roared back, scoring six consecutive points off two RC hitting errors, two Moss kills, and two service aces by Karlee Wager on the way to a four-point Game 2 edge.
In the final game, Karlee Wager’s twin sister, Chelsey, went way out of bounds twice for saves, including reaching over two men at the scorer’s table to guide it over the net one-handed with her back to the court.
“They outdefended us,” RC coach Caleb Howard said. “We would have a great pass, a great set, a strong swing and they would get it back.”
Despite a painful back injury, sophomore Bethany Moss, the coach’s daughter, was exceptional and earned MVP honors. Teammate April Gonzales also delivered high-powered, well-placed hits and was active on the back row.
The core of the squad has been digging out volleyballs since third grade, traveling from their small town 40 miles east of Pueblo, seeking competition from girls who play for larger schools.
“If you didn’t know any better, you would think these girls are related by blood because they love each other so much,” coach Moss said.
2A all-tournament team
Bethany Moss, Fowler, So.
April Gonzales, Fowler, Jr.
Karlee Wager, Fowler, Jr.
Anna Dewald, Resurrection Chr., Sr.
Julia Karlin, Resurrection Chr., Sr.
Megan Beiriger, Sangre de Cristo, Sr.
MVP: Moss
