Colorado: Broekhuis, Colorado Springs Christian volleyball eye sixth state title
Lions' 6-foot-5 outside hitter, who has already committed to Nebraska, is considered top player in state.
Photo by Ray Chen
Morgan Broekhuis, Colorado Springs Christian
Morgan Broekhuis hasn’t been around forever at Colorado Springs Christian. It only seems that way.
The Lions won two straight state 3A volleyball championships before Broekhuis even suited up on the varsity, but they’ve also won three in a row since she joined the team and developed into the best player in the state of Colorado.
"We are really working hard to claim our sixth straight state championship," the 6-foot-5 senior said. "I’m hoping to do so with a perfect undefeated season, but most of all, I just want to enjoy my last high school season and have fun. It has been an amazing journey."
The Lions are currently ranked among the top 25 teams in the country by MaxPreps and Broekhuis is an All-American candidate thanks to her average of 5.47 kills and 5.59 assists per game.
"Morgan is a 6-5 lefty that has the ability to beat you with her power as well as an offspeed shot down the line. She has the ability to change the angle of her shot at the last moment, which makes reading her defensively a very difficult task," said her coach and father, Michael Broekhuis. "Morgan also has very good hands, which has made her a high-level setter. Defensively, she has improved over the last year and moves very well for a tall girl. She has no problem going to the floor to dig a ball. She is a complete player that can play all positions in the rotation."
Not always the focal point of the Colorado Springs Christian attack, Broekhuis first gained attention as a freshman at the state finals.
"We had a number of very good seniors that year that were the focus of the team," her father said. "Morgan was placed on the RS of the front row to get an occasional ball during the season. During the state tournament, many defenses were focusing on the seniors and Morgan was able to get quite a few balls. She became a major weapon during the tournament and handled the pressure like a veteran. She was selected to the state all-tournament team, and at that time, we knew that we had a very special athlete."
Honors have been many for Broekhuis, who has been playing volleyball since she was in fifth grade. She was the Tri-Peaks League MVP last year, as well as the National Christian High School Athletic Association’s National Player of the Year. She also won the Gatorade Player of the Year honor as a junior and was the Sportswomen of Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year.
"My parents have had a big influence in my development," Broekhuis said. "My dad has coached me for many years in both volleyball and basketball. He has taught me never to be satisfied and he has always pushed me to achieve my best."
Both of Broekhuis’ parents played sports in college, and her older brother Taylor is playing basketball at Air Force. Her younger brother Kyle is also a multi-sport athlete for the Lions. Morgan will join Taylor at the collegiate level next year when she takes her talents to Nebraska.
"I’m excited to play the level of volleyball I will get to play at Nebraska," she said. "I am thankful for the blessings I’ve had to get me to where I am."
Until then, Morgan is looking forward to a sixth state championship with her Lion teammates. With Alabama commit Brianne VandeGriend at outside hitter and Colorado commit Hannah Walker at setter, the Lions have the talent necessary to repeat.
"We have strong defense in the back and the power in the front to put balls away and score points," Broekhuis said. "We are working for another state championship, and I think that if we play our volleyball, we’ll have a good shot."