As heads into the program’s second-ever Class 4A state volleyball tournament appearance beginning Friday at the Denver Coliseum, third-year coach Erik Rhee is certain of one thing.
His Spartans are ready to battle.
After all, the team’s six losses this year all came to elite competition: The Spartans (18-6, 5-1 Denver Prep) dropped a match to 3A powerhouse , matches to 4A state qualifiers and and to quality 5A programs Fairview, and .
And with a few quality wins sprinkled in here and there — including over 5A state tournament qualifier Arapahoe — coupled with the sisterly terminating abilities of senior Jaden Sandoval and sophomore Siale Sandoval, Thomas Jefferson has every reason to be confident for Friday’s 8 a.m. tournament opener against Montrose.
“If the Sandovals are in rhythm and feeling good, we can match up with almost anyone,” Rhee said. “Lewis-Palmer is the one that’s a bit (of a Goliath), as they’re ranked fourth in the country. But I like the way our pool plays out. We have a good shot to advance if we play well. And once we get to the semifinals, we’d likely play Lewis-Palmer. But you know what? Stranger things have happened at state.”
Indeed, the undefeated Rangers (25-0, Pikes Peak League champions) are the clear-cut heavyweight in the 4A field, but the Spartans realize that in order to get out of pool play — and thus have a chance to slay the favorite — they need to continue to lean on the Sandoval sisters, but most importantly they must continue to play for each other.
“It’s all about getting the girls to put the team ahead of themselves, and to set each person’s own goals aside,” Rhee said. “As with any team, we struggled with that at the beginning of the year. But now, they’ve really bought into the selfless attitude we’ve been trying to instill in them.”
And in the way the team feeds off the Sandovals, the Sandovals feed off each other. Jaden (241 kills, University of Denver commit) is an intimidating force on the floor at 6-foot-7, while Siale (225 kills, 177 digs, 50 aces) competes with a passion that raises the play of the Spartans around her.
“Siale brings an abundance of energy and excitement to the court, and it’s really fun to see her play,” Jaden Sandoval said. “She’s definitely an amazing player and an amazing outside hitter, and I aspire to be as explosive as she is.”
Meanwhile Jaden, who was named a team captain along with senior middle blocker Annie McAninch, has become the team’s de facto role model after rebounding from major shoulder surgery her sophomore year to eventually sign with the Pioneers.
“It’s not every day you see someone get a full-ride scholarship to play Division I volleyball around here, and so it taught me that, first of all, your grades are incredibly important,” Siale Sandoval said. “I know for me that was a struggle last year. And also, she’s taught me the fact that someone’s always watching you, good or bad, and someone’s always taking note of what you’re doing.”
And with Denver East having been upset in their 5A regional, all of Denver Public Schools will be taking note of the Spartans’ play this weekend, as Thomas Jefferson is the lone district team still vying for a volleyball title.
“We want to represent DPS, and focus is the biggest thing for us in order to do that well,” Jaden Sandoval said. “We have everything it takes mentally and physically, but when we don’t focus, that’s when we all fall apart together. We just need to zone in, and we can do it.”
