Cougar Volleyball Clinches Bid to State

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Over the weekend the Cougars beat #12 Ralston Valley and #25 Legacy to make their fifth trip to state in the last six years.

Grace Abernethy, Staff Writer

Coronado volleyball won a bid to state for the second consecutive year and the fifth year of the past six years  after defeating Legacy and Ralston Valley in Regionals on Saturday. The Cougars beat both Legacy, #25, and Ralston Valley, #12 in four sets, the fourth against Ralston Valley climbing up to a final score of 29-27. Playing against some of their best opponents of the season, the Cougars excelled and showed their capability of doing well at State.

Against  Legacy, juniors Mara Abernethy, Jaelyn Hershberger, and Mallory Brown scored the majority of the team’s points, with a respective 16, 15, and 14 kills each. In an all-around strong performance by Coronado there were four Cougars with more than 10 digs, four with three or more blocks, and two with four aces. What propelled the team to beat Legacy, however, was their teamwork and drive. Coach Stormie Wells said about the match, “What ultimately made the difference, and what doesn’t show in the numbers, is the manner in which we stayed together as a team. The other teams tended to crack and point fingers under the pressure, whereas we supported each other and remained tight as a unit.”

After defeating the nerves that come with Regionals against Legacy, the Cougars prospered under spectacular defense spearheaded by Bethany Heitland, junior, with 40 digs. This was a key factor in the Cougar’s victory, because with such great passing the Cougars could get rolling on the offensive end. Head coach Stormie Wells wisely referenced the quote from Bear Bryant, “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” Leading Coronado’s offensive front was Abernethy with 20 kills and Hershberger with 13 kills; Hershberger also contributed four aces and 13 digs over the course of the match.

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Coming into the State Tournament this weekend, Coronado is ranked #8 in 5A, which means they are placed in a pool with the number one and number twelve seeds, Fossil Ridge and Highlands Ranch. To advance to the semifinals they need to win both games, or, in the case that each team in the pool is 1-1, there will be a single set tie-breaker between each of the teams to determine the team that advances. To advance, the Cougars will face a challenge, but they are familiar with the pressure, and are more ready than ever. In the few days before they depart for Denver they are keeping the same mind set that has worked all season: Getting better 1% every chance they can.

Come watch the Cougars in likely to be their best matches of the season, at approximately 3:30 P.M. on Friday, and around 9:30 A.M. on Saturday at the Denver Coliseum (Matches start at 8 A.M. each day and the Cougars play in the 6th match on Friday and the 2nd match on Saturday morning). To stay updated on scores, buy tickets, check schedules, and watch the games online, head to http://chsaanow.com/2016-11-07/5a-volleyball-state-tournament-bracket-2016/.

Go Cougars and see you in Denver!