MaxPreps Colorado Volleyball Players of the Year
Ponderosa saw the good and the bad this season. After almost running the table during the regular season, the Mustangs lost to rival Chaparral and then dropped another five-set match to the Wolverines two weeks later in regionals.
Even at state, Ponderosa hardly looked like that 18-0 team of weeks earlier. Playing for the first time for a state title, Ponderosa lost to Pine Creek and Doherty in close pool play matches, then had to win one-set tiebreaker matches with Arapahoe and Pine Creek.
After that, the Mustangs bested Grandview in the semifinals and edged Highlands Ranch, in five sets, for the Class 5A title.
“I think if you’d ask any of the girls on the team what the highlight of the season was, they’d say just, ‘Saturday’,” Ponderosa coach Rob Graham said.
The two one-set matches lit the fire under the Mustangs.
“Right after we beat Pine Creek, I told the girls, ‘Grandview is in trouble.’” Graham said. “Emotions in that match were huge.”
So, the winner gets the spoils. Libero Kendall Howard was the best player in 5A, so the 5-foot-5 senior is the classification’s MaxPreps Player of the Year.
In the semifinals, Graham threw caution to the winds by using “commit blocking” against Grandview. The Mustangs knew the Wolves were toughest when using the quick attack. So, Graham and assistant Kevin Snyder decided to have Ponderosa’s middles read their counterparts instead of the set and commit to blocking Grandview’s fearsome Erica Denney and Jill Anderson, no matter what.
That suited Mustangs junior Carly Boatwright just fine.
“All season, we felt that the weakest part of our game was blocking,” Graham said. “(Boatwright) took it personally. She feels that she’s one of the best middles.”
Boatwright and Mariah Goody were overwhelming in the middle. That left single blockers at the pins, where Ponderosa was vulnerable. But Howard’s digging made the plan work, about 34 times. Once the statistics are submitted, Howard will be Colorado’s career dig leader.
“These two weeks have been something,” Howard said after the recent All-State Games at Arvada West. “It’s just fun to see all these great players.”
Howard felt that the sweep of Grandview was more exciting than a five-set championship victory against Highlands Ranch. That ended in a skin-tight 16-14 win for the Mustangs, but the players were almost completely drained after dominating the Falcons in two sets, but losing close sets in the other two.
In the other classifications, outside hitter Kendall Gaffney of two-time champion Cheyenne Mountain is 4A Player of the Year. Gaffney was at her best in the tournament for the undefeated Indians.
The biggest story, and most predictable, was in Class 3A where Colorado Springs Christian added its sixth consecutive championship to school history. The undefeated Lions get top honors, with Morgan Broekhuis as is the clear-cut 3A Player of the Year.
That’s not all for streaks at CSCS, either. The coach almost a decade ago was Bruce Schardt, who had a standout setter in his daughter Jackie, who played for Ohio State. Then came coach Verlyn Rosenthal, who had a Player of the Year setter in daughter Lauren, who played for Florida State. And now the Broekhuises complete the set, with Morgan headed to Nebraska. Her father, Mike, is the Lions coach.
Morgan recently was selected as one of 24 players nationally to the fourth annual American Volleyball Coaches Association/Under Armour Girls High School All-America Team. She’ll play in a match and skills competition in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 20.
In 2A, Resurrection Christian put on a show until running into Fowler in the finals. So, Bethany Moss, just a sophomore, is Player of the Year. That’s quite an accomplishment for someone who played injured, is just a sophomore and also is in the same classification as Anna Dewald of Resurrection Christian. Bethany also follows in the tradition of her graduated sister Morgan, who was the consensus top player.
In Class A, junior outside hitter Anthonya Schaffert garners Player of the Year for the state champion Otis. While not the biggest player around, Schaffert was a favorite of small-school coaches.
Class 5A
First team
Nicole Dalton, Chaparral, 6-2, So.; Erica Denney, Grandview, 6-5, Sr.; Kendall Howard, Ponderosa, 5-5, Sr.; Ali Longo, Chatfield, 5-8, Sr.; Shelby Schacher, Arapahoe, 5-10, Sr.; Taylor Simpson, Doherty, 6-3, Jr.; Erica Winkler, Highlands Ranch, Sr.
Player of the year – Kendall Howard, Ponderosa
Honorable mention
Jill Anderson, Grandview, Sr.; Jessica Aschenbrenner, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Jordan Banich, Ralston Valley, Jr.; Alysa Birdsall, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Carly Boatwright, Ponderosa, Jr.; Caitie Breaux, Ponderosa, Jr.; Morgan Bohl, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Megan Buckingham, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Nicole Edelman, Fairview, So.; Anna Faul, Chaparral, Jr.; Hanna Gibeau, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Rachel Gillcrist, Lakewood, Sr.; Nikki Glass, Pine Creek, Jr.; Mariah Goody, Ponderosa, Sr.; Grace Gordon, Grandview, So.; Haleigh Higgins, Grand Junction Central, Sr.; Krista Hilverding, Pomona, Sr.; Hannah Hoffman, Ponderosa, Jr.; Kaleigh Humphrey, Monarch, Sr.; Allie Hoskins, Pine Creek, Sr.; Katie Jackson, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Sarah Jaeckel, Heritage, Sr.; Taylor Jordan, Lakewood, Sr.; Bailey Karst, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Jill Kennedy, Monarch, Sr.; Victoria Kirkemo, Cherry Creek, So.; Rachel Kosbab, Pine Creek, Sr.; Kristina Lavrisha, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Skylar Lewandowski, Rampart, Sr.; Hannah Margheim, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Tanya Marvi, Arapahoe, Sr.; Mikinzie Moydell, Chaparral, Sr.; Amy Parlier, Fairview, Sr.; Bree Phillips, Rangeview, Jr.; Mary Pollmiller, Chatfield, Jr.; Laura Steiner, Fort Collins, So.; Chelsea Szretter, Doherty, Sr.; Lindsay Weaver, Pine Creek, Jr.
Class 4A
First team
Emily Alexis, Prairie View, 6-1, Sr.; Sami Fuentes, Roosevelt, 5-4 Sr.; Kendall Gaffney, Cheyenne Mountain, 5-10, Sr.; Rachel Keyes, Mullen, 5-5, Sr.; Tasha Ray, Cheyenne Mountain, 6-0, Sr.; Kristen Sciacca, Lewis-Palmer, 6-1, Sr.; Megan Tapia, Pueblo South, 6-0, Sr.
Player of the year – Kendall Gaffney, Cheyenne Mountain
Honorable mention
Hannah Arguto, Pueblo West, Sr.; Ciera Borho, Prairie View, Fr.; Jenna Cowie, Longmont, Sr.; Kelsie Dardis, Montrose, Sr.; Caitlin Dyche, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Kelsey Freeman, Mullen, Sr.; Allie Friewald, Mullen, Sr.; Courtney Geesing, Montrose, Sr.; Tambre Haddock, Longmont, Jr.; Kayla Johnson, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Kelley Johnson, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Brittany Johnson, Pueblo West, Jr.; Trista Karas, Fort Morgan, Sr.; Colleen King, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; Alex Lassa, Eagle Valley, So.; Christi Limpert, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Nikki Lindow, Centaurus, Sr.; Laura Loosbrock, Alamosa, Sr.; Sage Martinson, Roosevelt, Sr.; Taylor McNamara, Greeley Central, Sr.; Brooke Perkins, Mullen, Jr.; Kaylee Pierce, Valor Christian, So.; Rachel Romansky, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Kirsten Schumacher, Sterling, Sr.; Lauren Shreeve, Eagle Valley, Jr.; Jordan Sisson, Broomfield, Sr.; Heather Stewart, Greeley West, Sr.; Naomi Tubbs, Elizabeth, Sr.; Megan Velasquez, Roosevelt, Sr.; Allie Weingardt, Sterling, Sr.; Shelby Wright, Eagle Valley, Jr.
Class 3A
First team
Morgan Broekhuis, Colorado Springs Christian, 6-5, Sr.; Samantha Chacon, Valley, 5-5, Jr.; Elsa Krieg, Middle Park, 6-2, Jr.; Ashley Peak, Colorado Springs Christian, 5-3, Jr.; Gabriela Rifilato, Bayfield, 5-8, Sr.; Katherine Rifilato, Bayfield, 5-9, So.; Brianne VandeGriend, Colorado Springs Christian, 6-0, Sr.
Player of the year – Morgan Broekhuis, Colorado Springs Christian
Honorable mention
Lauren Alejo, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Casey Ball, Eaton, Jr.; Sierra Bennett, Valley, Sr.; Mady Bigelow, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Caitlin Brady, Grand Valley, Sr.; Kendra Cunningham, Eaton, So.; Dani DeNooy, Denver Christian, Jr.; Clair Felix, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Savannah Garcia, Valley, Sr.; Cheyenne Hickox, Middle Park, Jr.; Reanna Hodgin, Valley, Jr.; Tori Horstmann, Platte Canyon, Sr.; Gracie Howe, Eaton, Sr.; Aniecia Lujan, Bennett, Sr.; Lindy Matthews, University, Jr.; Shelly Malouff, Monte Vista, Sr.; Stephani Matsushima, Valley, Jr.; Alicia Nichols, Brush, Sr.; Cece Pieper, Hotchkiss, Sr.; Kaitie Reininger, The Classical Academy, So.; Christa Sanders, Faith Christian, Sr.; Maggie Sherrill, Colorado Academy, So.; Taylor Sturms, Denver Lutheran, So.; Nyana Tsacher, Platte Valley, Jr.; Kelly Tycksen, Faith Christian, Sr.; Hannah Walker, Faith Christian, Sr.; Emily Weingartner, Faith Christian, Sr.; Christina Whitelaw, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Shelby Williamson, Bayfield, Sr.; Sydney Wilson, Eaton, Sr.
Class 2A
First team
Megan Beiriger, Sangre de Cristo, 5-7, Sr.; Anna Dewald, Resurrection Christian, 6-1, Sr.; Shelbi Imhof, Merino, 5-5, Jr.; Julia Karlin, Resurrection Christian, 5-6, Sr.; Laura Measles, Akron, 5-7, Sr.; Cami Moore, Simla, 5-8, Sr.; Bethany Moss, Fowler, 5-9, So.
Player of the year – Bethany Moss, Fowler
Honorable mention
Kirstin Anderson, Burlington, Sr.; Brooke Bowles, Vail Christian, Sr.; Taylor Castillo, Kiowa, Sr.; Brook Cecil, West Grand, Sr.; Sydney Clarkson, Akron, Jr.; Randi Cordova, Hoehne, Sr.; Jordan East, Hoehne, Jr.; Cynthia Edgerton, Vail Mountain, Sr.; April Gonzales, Fowler, Jr.; Alyssa Hernandez, Hoehne, Sr.; Aimee Johnson, Mancos, So.; Talor Lobato, Center, Sr.; Tatum Martinez, Mancos, Sr.; Brooke McKinley, Sangre de Cristo, Sr.; Katie Monahan, John Mall, Sr.; Jesse Paquin, Mancos, Sr.; Danielle Penny, Burlington, So.; Joy Smith, Kiowa, Sr.; Marlee Schaffer, Hoehne, So.; Ori Swiatowski, Burlington, So.; Lindsey Thompson, Heritage Christian, Sr.; Jessica Toney, Simla, Sr.; Allyson Vasquez, Akron, Fr.; Chelsea Water, Fowler, Jr.; Tess Wallace, Dolores, Sr.; Chelsey Wager, Fowler, Jr.; Karlee Wager, Fowler, Jr.; Kaily Yarbrough, Sangre de Cristo, Sr.
Class A
First team
Beth Cooper, Hi-Plains, 5-7, Sr.; Kati Kuntz, Otis, 5-6, So.; Briana Medford, Kit Carson, 6-1, Sr.; Jena Monheiser, Fleming, 5-3, Jr.; Jaden Noe, Springfield, 5-9, Sr.; Anthonya Schaffert, Otis, 5-7, Sr.; Morgan Wilkening, Fleming, 5-10, So.
Player of the year – Anthonya Schaffert, Otis
Honorable mention
Shayna Bachman, Liberty, Sr.; Cedar Bellows, Liberty, Jr.; Tori Brown, Cheyenne Wells, Jr.; Chelsea Butler, Kim, Sr.; Sydney Clarkson, Akron, Jr.; Callie Colden, Liberty, Sr.; Beth Cooper, Hi-Plains, Sr.; Meagan Esquivel, South Baca County, Sr.; Kaitlyn Hanson, North Park, Sr.; Jensen Hashbarger, Mountain Valley, Sr.; Marissa Headley, Weldon Valley, Sr.; T.C. Herman, Hi-Plains, So.; Brooke Hyle, Cheyenne Wells, Jr.; Aimee Johnson, Mancos, So.; Jr.; Kat Kitzman, Elbert, Sr.; Kayla Konig, Pawnee, Sr.; Kelsey Koester, Caliche, Sr.; Sydney Loyed, Crested Butte, Sr.; Whitney McCaffrey, Hi-Plains, Sr.; Melissa Minasi, Hi-Plains, Sr.; La Rona Mondt, Briggsdale, Sr.; Jessica Noble, Otis, So.; Jaci Palser, Otis, So.; Tanner Parmely, Wiley, Sr.; Kayla Pribble, Dove Creek, Sr.; Jessi Quint, Akron, Jr.; Jamie Stewart, Elbert, Sr.; Alex Stringari, Community Chrisian, Jr.; Jenna Vandenbark, Fleming, Jr.
About the MaxPreps Players of the Year: MaxPreps invited every volleyball coach in the state to nominate players, and selections were based on those nominations. A player must have been nominated by at least two coaches to be selected.
