PARKER — One might believe that once a volleyball team has qualified for state, everything else is window dressing.
The impassioned thoughts of Ponderosa senior Carly Boatwright might sway your opinion.
Boatwright’s Mustangs and Grandview each had clinched a berth in the state tournament by the time they met in the final match of the Class 5A Region C tournament Saturday, so the teams essentially were playing for a seeding advantage at the state tournament.
After the host Mustangs toppled Grandview 25-21, 25-18, 25-23, Boatwright made it clear that the match was much more than a formality.
“We got a little ticked off because we got it in our heads that Grandview thought they could take us at our house,” Boatwright said. “I’ve been here for four years and this is my house. It’s a personal thing. It was so important to win this last game here.”
Ponderosa (24-2), which also defeated Denver East and Lakewood in the two-day tournament, enters state, to be held Friday and Saturday, on a 13-game winning streak. The Mustangs used superior size in the middle and a vicious attacking game to upend the Wolves (21-5). Caitie Breaux and Megan Heffron contributed 13 kills apiece while Boatright added 12.
Breaux said the win will serve as a morale boost entering state, considering the Mustangs were somewhat bitter entering state last season after a regional loss to Chaparral.
“It was so upsetting, because nobody likes to lose,” Breaux said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re making it to state either way. You still want to win your region.”
Facing Ponderosa gave Grandview an indication of the level at which it will have to play in order to be successful at state.
“I think we were pretty evenly matched with them,” said outside hitter Alex Reid, who led the Wolves with 10 kills. “I just think we need to come out fighting more at the beginning instead of just at the end.”
Grandview has only one senior regular in outside hitter Morgan Gradishar.
“I think those girls are going to be awesome when they get a little older,” Boatwright said.
Lakewood (20-6) and Denver East (12-14) failed to qualify for state. Lakewood went 1-2 and East 0-3.
Class 5A Region C
Ponderosa def. Lakewood 21-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17, 15-13
Ponderosa def. Denver East 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-17
Grandview def. Lakewood 25-16, 25-21, 25-21
Grandview def. Denver East 25-17, 25-11, 25-12
Lakewood def. Denver East 25-16, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21
Ponderosa def. Grandview 25-21, 25-18, 25-23
