It was difficult to measure which play by Colorado Academy volleyball standout Maggie Sherrill was more telling. The match-opening spike that immediately put Jefferson Academy on its heels? Or the miraculous save that turned a certain Jefferson Academy point into a point for the Mustangs?
One play jump-started Colorado Academy. The other helped put the finishing touches on an impressive week. In between, Sherrill and the Mustangs dominated, recording a 25-11, 25-19, 25-19 sweep Saturday in a Class 3A Metro League showdown.
Colorado Academy, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, showed no signs of a letdown after defeating Class 2A No. 2 Lutheran on Tuesday and outlasting 3A No. 1 Holy Family in a five-game thriller Friday.
“We missed the state tournament the past couple of years, and with this senior group, that is a goal of ours,” said Colorado Academy coach Guy Garcia, whose club improved to 15-0. “Everyone keys on Maggie, but we have three other girls, who can bring it. This was a tough week for the girls and I’m glad we got through it.”
Sherrill, expected to play at Air Force next year but still awaiting her full acceptance to the academy, recorded 19 kills for the Mustangs. None of them were more impressive than the amazing point she recorded in the third game.
With the ball falling in front of the Colorado Academy bench, a diving Mustangs player managed to keep the play alive with a pancake save, although the ball barely lifted off the ground. Sherrill, though, raced over and swatted the ball over the net and led the celebration as it landed behind the stunned Jaguars.
Alex Sadler added nine kills for the Mustangs, and senior setter Faith Meyer posted 37 assists.
“We’ve really focused on defense this year and getting around big hitters,” Sherrill said. “I think we are becoming one of those scrappy teams, and that is big for us.”
