It is routinely said that many lessons can be gleaned from defeat. And even though it has been a while, Cheyenne Mountain junior Janae Vander Ploeg recalls quite clearly the thoughts that swirled the last time the Indians failed to win.
Vander Ploeg was only a freshman when Cheyenne Mountain lost during pool play of the 2008 Class 4A state finals. The Indians were favored, so the defeat was jarring, if not completely disastrous. Quickly learning its lessons, Cheyenne Mountain rallied to advance to the final four and has not lost since, winning two consecutive state titles while amassing a 35-match winning streak entering the 2010 season.
“I remember that (loss) at state, and it was a good wake-up call because it reminded all of us that we had to work harder,” Vander Ploeg said. “We knew we weren’t out of it, and that makes you fight harder and focus more because there is so much at stake. We have an extremely competitive team, and we all want to win. But if we lose sometime this season, we know we can put it behind us and focus on the big picture.”
Cheyenne Mountain coach David Barkley admits he would be stunned if his Indians repeated the 31-0 mark they compiled last year. Winning a third consecutive 4A championship, however, certainly is not out of the question.
Despite losing two first- team all-state selections in Kendall Gaffney and Natasha Ray, the Indians are ready to reload behind a strong junior class led by Vander Ploeg and Hannah Huffman, in addition to the continued development of sophomore setter Monique Domme.
A backup last year, Domme is poised to replace Kayla Johnson and continue Cheyenne Mountain’s recent tradition of featuring strong setters.
“I’ve always been very lucky to have all-state setters,” Barkley said. “Monique really could be the best of the best. She has that kind of talent. The question now is how quickly we can remember the lessons learned while winning championships the past two years.”
With Class 5A powers Ponderosa, Pine Creek, Doherty and Eaglecrest on Cheyenne Mountain’s schedule, the demise of the Indians’ winning streak would hardly be the biggest shock of the volleyball season.
And yet, if Cheyenne Mountain’s most recent setback in the 2008 state tournament is any indication, suffering that sort of defeat just might play a part in the team’s master plan.
“It’s important for us to get ready for state by playing the toughest teams,” Barkley said. “This group has always had great focus, and if we can maintain that no matter how we fare in those matches, we’ll be in great shape. One thing I know is that we’ll be a great side-out team, and if you can be a great side-out team, you will win a lot of matches.”
Maybe even enough to collect a third consecutive state championship.
Top teams and returning all-state players
Class 5A
Top teams
1. Ponderosa
2. Chaparral
3. Doherty
4. Pine Creek
5. Chatfield
6. Highlands Ranch
7. Cherry Creek
8. Grandview
9. Fairview
10. Eaglecrest
Returning all-state players: Carly Boatwright, Ponderosa, Sr.; Morgan Bohl, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Caitie Breaux, Ponderosa, Sr.; Nicole Dalton, Chaparral, Jr.; Nicole Edelman, Fairview, Jr.; Anna Faul, Chaparral, Sr.; Nikki Glass, Pine Creek, Sr.; Morgan Gradishar, Grandview, Sr.; Hannah Hoffman, Ponderosa, Sr.; Mary Pollmiller, Chatfield, Sr.; Taylor Simpson, Doherty, Sr.; Laura Steiner, Fort Collins, Jr.
Class 4A
Top teams
1. Cheyenne Mountain
2. Longmont
3. Mullen
4. Eagle Valley
5. Roosevelt
6. Thompson Valley
7. Broomfield
8. Valor Christian
9. Pueblo West
10. Sterling
Returning all-state players: Tambre Haddock, Longmont, Sr.; Sara Hewson, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Brittany Johnson, Pueblo West, Sr.; Brooke Perkins, Mullen, Sr.; Ashley Phelps, Conifer, Sr.; Kaylee Pierce, Valor Christian, Jr.; Lauren Shreeve, Eagle Valley, Sr.; Shelby Wright, Eagle Valley, Sr.
Class 3A
Top teams
1. Valley
2. Middle Park
3. Colorado Springs Christian
4. Eaton
5. The Classical Academy
6. Bayfield
7. St. Mary’s
8. Holy Family
9. Faith Christian
10. Platte Valley
Returning all-state players: Casey Ball, Eaton, Sr.; Courtney Chacon, Valley, So.; Kendra Cunningham, Eaton, Jr.; Meagan Garcia, Valley, Jr.; Cheyenne Hickox, Middle Park, Sr.; Reanna Hodgin, Valley, Sr.; Elsa Krieg, Middle Park, Sr.; Lindy Matthews, University, Sr.; Katie Reininger, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Stephanie Schlis, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Katherine Rifilato, Bayfield, Jr.
Class 2A
Top teams
1. Fowler
2. Burlington
3. Hoehne
4. Akron
5. Resurrection Christian
Returning all-state players: Kirstin Anderson, Burlington, Sr.; Sydney Clarkson, Akron, Sr.; Jordan East, Hoehne, Sr.; Dani DeNooy, Denver Christian, Sr.; April Gonzales, Fowler, Sr.; Alex Hinkhouse, Burlington, Sr.; Aimee Johnson, Mancos, Jr.; Bethany Klinkerman, Fowler, Sr.; Bethany Moss, Fowler, Jr.; Danielle Penny, Burlington, Sr.; Marley Schafer, Hoehne, Sr.; Maggie Sherrill, Colorado Academy, Jr.; Taylor Sturms, Denver Lutheran, Jr.; Ori Swiatkowski, Burlington, Jr.; Bailey Tillitson, Burlington, Jr.; Allyson Vasquez, Akron, So.; Chelsey Wagner, Fowler, Sr.
Class 1A
Top teams
1. Otis
2. Fleming
3. Merino
4. Simla
5. Weldon Valley
Returning all-state players: Cedar Bellows, Liberty (Joes), Sr.; Tori Brown, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.; Sydney Curley, McClave, Sr.; Cheyanne Herbert, Fleming, Jr.; T.C. Herman, Hi-Plains, Jr.; Brooke Hyle, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.; Shelby Imhof, Merino, Sr.; Kati Kuntz, Otis, Jr.; Jena Monheiser, Fleming, Sr.; Jessica Noble, Otis, Jr.; Jaci Palser, Otis, Jr.; Antonya Schaffert, Otis, Sr.; Alex Stringari, Jefferson Academy, Sr.; Kaylynne Tanner, Hi-Plains, Sr.; Jenna Vandenbark, Fleming, Sr.; Morgan Wilkening, Fleming, Jr.
Pat Rooney, Special to The Denver Post
Setting the scene
Class 5A: Ponderosa suffered few losses from its 2009 state championship squad, leaving a repeat run well within the Mustangs’ sights. That road will not be easy, with strong teams returning at Chaparral, Pine Creek and Doherty, which is led by reigning 5A player of the year Taylor Simpson. Perennial powers Cherry Creek, Fairview and Highlands Ranch likely will play their way into the mix.
Class 4A: As usual, Mullen may take its lumps while getting battle-tested in the rugged 5A Centennial League, but come playoff time the Mustangs and Longmont will have the best shots at dethroning two-time defending state champion Cheyenne Mountain. Eagle Valley, Thompson Valley and Broomfield should make things interesting at state.
Class 3A: Valley is loaded and ready to make amends for its loss against C.S. Christian in last year’s state title match. The Vikings return three players who received all-state honors — Courtney Chacon, Meagan Garcia and Reanna Hodgin. Middle Park, Eaton and the defending state champion Lions will challenge. Bayfield returns most of the lineup from a team that earned the school’s first state tournament berth since 1988.
Class 2A: Fowler graduated one senior from its state championship team and returns four all-state players, including 2A player of the year Bethany Moss. Burlington is equally loaded, while Akron and Hoehne will make strong runs. Dark horse candidates include Resurrection Christian and Sangre de Cristo.
Class 1A: The addition of Merino and Simla, which dropped down from Class 2A, could give the small schools the tightest level of competition. Both schools become instant contenders in 1A, though defending champion Otis and its bevy of talented outside hitters will be difficult to dethrone.
The season: Regular season ends Oct. 23. Playoff — districts end Oct. 30, regionals end Nov. 6, state championships Nov. 12-13 at Denver Coliseum.
