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Chap returns to state
  
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By Benn Farrell
Chaparral volleyball had plenty of moments to boast about this season.
Unfortunately for them, the state championship tournament wasn’t one of them.
After finishing among the Continental League’s top three teams, handing state champions Ponderosa its only league loss and beating the Mustangs later for the regional title, Chaparral earned its place at the Class 5A state championship tournament Oct. 13-14 at the Denver Coliseum in Denver as the No. 3 seed.
The Wolverines met no greater frustration through pool play, however, after losing a five-game, back-and-forth battle to eventual state runner up and Continental powerhouse Highlands Ranch 3-2, and going up two games handily against defending champions Cherry Creek and eventually losing 3-2.
“We don’t feel like we were on our A-game [the first day],” Wolverines coach T.R. Ellis said. “We played good, but certainly not like we did against Ponderosa those two times. So, we we’re disappointed in our team performance. Not individually, but as a team.”
Chaparral was the only 5A team mathematically eliminated from the tournament going into the second day. The Wolverines faced Grandview for its final pool match and suffered the same fate. Chaparral was up two games against the Wolves before losing again 3-2 and ending the Wolverines’ season with a 22-7 overall record.
Having taken Grandview to five games in a battle, Ellis said Chaparral would have gone play if its performance on the first day was the same as the second.
“We were the only 5A team who knew we were out for sure going in [the second day], so I think they showed a lot of heart and character,” Ellis said. “We just wanted to show that we deserved to be here and show that we were a great team, love the game and love each other. They did that. They just battled right along.
“At this tournament, it’s two days, and you have to put together a two-day performance. This year, any team could have won it. We’ve done some amazing things this year, and we have to remember the battles and remember each other.”
Chaparral will graduate five seniors from its 2009 team, including libero Mikayla Bouley, outside hitter Sarah Mueller, outside hitter Chelsea Fox, defensive specialist Lexi Paul and outside hitter Mikinzie Moydell, most of which have been playing for Ellis for three seasons.
“These are seasoned seniors who have given a lot to Chaparral for sure, and they will be greatly missed,” the coach said. “But we have some great returning players. We have four starters returning, and they are key players.”
Juniors Skylar Johnson, Anna Faul and Karlie Dalton could be expected to assume some of the senior leadership next season.
Unfortunately for them, the state championship tournament wasn’t one of them.
After finishing among the Continental League’s top three teams, handing state champions Ponderosa its only league loss and beating the Mustangs later for the regional title, Chaparral earned its place at the Class 5A state championship tournament Oct. 13-14 at the Denver Coliseum in Denver as the No. 3 seed.
The Wolverines met no greater frustration through pool play, however, after losing a five-game, back-and-forth battle to eventual state runner up and Continental powerhouse Highlands Ranch 3-2, and going up two games handily against defending champions Cherry Creek and eventually losing 3-2.
“We don’t feel like we were on our A-game [the first day],” Wolverines coach T.R. Ellis said. “We played good, but certainly not like we did against Ponderosa those two times. So, we we’re disappointed in our team performance. Not individually, but as a team.”
Chaparral was the only 5A team mathematically eliminated from the tournament going into the second day. The Wolverines faced Grandview for its final pool match and suffered the same fate. Chaparral was up two games against the Wolves before losing again 3-2 and ending the Wolverines’ season with a 22-7 overall record.
Having taken Grandview to five games in a battle, Ellis said Chaparral would have gone play if its performance on the first day was the same as the second.
“We were the only 5A team who knew we were out for sure going in [the second day], so I think they showed a lot of heart and character,” Ellis said. “We just wanted to show that we deserved to be here and show that we were a great team, love the game and love each other. They did that. They just battled right along.
“At this tournament, it’s two days, and you have to put together a two-day performance. This year, any team could have won it. We’ve done some amazing things this year, and we have to remember the battles and remember each other.”
Chaparral will graduate five seniors from its 2009 team, including libero Mikayla Bouley, outside hitter Sarah Mueller, outside hitter Chelsea Fox, defensive specialist Lexi Paul and outside hitter Mikinzie Moydell, most of which have been playing for Ellis for three seasons.
“These are seasoned seniors who have given a lot to Chaparral for sure, and they will be greatly missed,” the coach said. “But we have some great returning players. We have four starters returning, and they are key players.”
Juniors Skylar Johnson, Anna Faul and Karlie Dalton could be expected to assume some of the senior leadership next season.
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