Senior Allison Smith returns to lead Ponderosa in its quest for a Class 4A state title. The Mustangs finished second in 2014 to MaxPreps national champion Lewis-Palmer.
File photos by Matt Daniels
If ever a team could feel like a champion without truly being one, it's the
Ponderosa (Parker) volleyball team from last season.
Sure, the Mustangs lost the Class 4A state championship match fair and square to
Lewis-Palmer (Monument) in a four-game decision. But it was difficult to chastise Ponderosa for the loss, considering it was soon revealed Lewis-Palmer (29-0) had been named MaxPreps' national champions after losing only five of 88 sets throughout the season.
Ponderosa kept pace with the Rangers and put itself in position for a monumental upset after winning the second game 25-15. Lewis-Palmer won the pivotal third game 25-22 and went on to close it out 25-12 in the fourth.
"All of that takes some of the sting out of it," 16-year Ponderosa coach Rob Graham said. "But in the end it's still a second-place finish."
That's why the Mustangs' goals are hardly modest this season. With nine seniors on the 11-player roster, including standout outside hitter and
Allison Smith and middle blocker
Camille Smith (no relation, although they'll both play at Colorado Mesa), it's championship or bust for Ponderosa.
"It is for sure," Allison Smith said. "We really do have the drive after being so close the past few years. And all of us have played together for so long that there's definitely that defined goal."
Prior to last year's runner-up finish, the Mustangs finished third in 2013. Their lone state title came in 2009 when still in 5A. Ponderosa continues to compete in the rugged 5A Continental League but enrollment dropped the Mustangs into the 4A circuit four seasons ago.
The Mustangs (24-5 last season) haven't inherited the role of favorite this fall, because that distinction still belongs to two-time champ Lewis-Palmer. That's despite the graduation of all-everything player Alexa Smith. The 2014 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year is now at Purdue.
Camille Smith, Ponderosa.
Graham believes Lewis-Palmer might even be more potent this season "just because Alexa pretty much did everything for them and now they'll be more balanced."
Allison Smith said the Rangers "absolutely" remain the favorite, and that her squad has plenty of built-in motivation after the near miss last season.
"It took us awhile to get over it, more so because we played with a great group of seniors," she said. "We lost them knowing we weren't going to win with them. But we're back and we're ready."
That makes it no mystery why the Mustangs' outlook is loftier than most as the regular season draws near.
"I think most coaches would say they want to go out there and see what happens," Graham said. "We're definitely like that, but I don't think our girls are going to be satisfied with just getting there this time."
Lewis-Palmer and Ponderosa, not surprisingly, begin the season ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the CHSAANow.com 4A poll.
Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs), which dominated the circuit prior to Lewis-Palmer's emergence, sits at No. 3.
In Class 5A, defending champ
Grandview (Aurora) is No. 2 while
Cherokee Trail (Aurora) was bestowed preseason No. 1. The Cougars (17-10 last season) bring back all-state outside hitter Shannon Webb. No. 5
Chatfield (Littleton) also received two first-place votes.
In 3A, defending-champion
Eaton received eight of the 10 first-place votes, with
Colorado Springs Christian and
Manitou Springs each nabbing one. Eaton brings back four all-staters including first-teamers Caiden Rexius and Tarynn Sieg.
In 2A,
Resurrection Christian (Loveland) swept the first-place votes, although No. 2
Yuma is the squad that returns three all-state selections.
Idalia, runner-up to
Fleming last season, was the unanimous No. 1 choice in
Class 1A. The Wolves return standout outside hitter Reagan Shaffer.
2014 champions
Class 5A: Grandview (defeated Chatfield)
Class 4A: Lewis-Palmer (defeated Ponderosa)
Class 3A: Eaton (defeated Valley)
Class 2A: Resurrection Christian (defeated Yuma)
Class 1A: Fleming (defeated Idalia)
Returning CHSAANow.com/MaxPreps All-State Selections
Class 5A
Second team: Audrey Cheng, Jr., S,
Fairview (Boulder); Shannon Webb, Sr., OH, Cherokee Trail.
Class 4A
First team: Mariah Evans, Sr., S, Lewis-Palmer; Allison Smith, Sr., OH, Ponderosa.
Second team: Lydia Bartalo, Jr., MB, Lewis-Palmer;
Elise Hill, Sr., OH,
Montrose; Maddie Labor, Sr., L,
Steamboat Springs; Kylee Shook, Sr., MH,
Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs); Camille Smith, Sr., MB, Ponderosa.
Class 3A
First team: Katie McKiel, Sr., OH, Manitou Springs; Caiden Rexius, Sr., OH, Eaton; Tarynn Sieg, Jr., MH, Eaton.
Second team: Cassie Davis, Jr., S, Colorado Springs Christian; Kaitlyn Detlefsen, Sr., OH,
Coal Ridge (New Castle);
Madison Fisher, Sr., S,
University (Greeley); Angala Jensen, Sr., S, Manitou Springs; Chelsea Lockey, So., S, Eaton,
Jamie Nielson, Sr., MH, Colorado Springs Christian; Bailey Schumacher, Sr., L, Eaton.
Class 2A
First team: Mallory Noble, Sr., S, Yuma; Tara Traphagan, Sr., OH, Yuma.
Second team: Taylor Carsten, Sr., S,
Paonia;
Jaedyn Lambrecht, Sr., S,
Caliche (Iliff); Peighton Roth, Sr., DS, Yuma; Kaitlyn Rutherford, Sr., OH,
Ridgway; Sarah Schaller, Sr., OH,
Sargent (Monte Vista); Laney Swan, Jr., S,
Colorado Springs School.
Class 1A
First team: Kylee Kuntz, Sr., OH,
Otis;
Antonya Schaffert, Sr., OH, Otis; Reagan Shaffer, Sr., OH, Idalia.
Second team: Jade Hasz, Sr., L/OH,
Flagler;
Micayla Isenbart, So., MB,
Kit Carson;
Emily Kaiser, Jr., MH,
Prairie (New Raymer);
Lissette Lefforge, Sr., MH, Otis; Alyssa Lovato, Sr., S,
Cheraw;
Elisha Rodwell, Sr., OH, Flagler;
