For their first match at State the Cougars took on Fossil Ridge, the #1 ranked team in 5A. Although their presence formidable, the Cougars managed to beat #1 Chatfield in a single set tiebreaker at last year’s state, so they came into the match optimistic with their chances. However, the 26-3 Sabercats earned their number 1 rank against the Cougars over the course of the close three set sweep, the scores 25-22, 26-24, 25-21. Mara Abernethy, 11, scored the bulk of the team’s points, with 14 kills. In each incredibly tight set, the Cougars faced a tall Fossil Ridge front row, with four six footers creating a block that the Cougars struggled to get around. This was reflected in their offensive errors, totaling 22 by the end of the match. Unable to pull off a win, the Cougars were out of the running for the semifinals, but still had one last match to play against Highlands Ranch.
Against Highlands Ranch the Cougars had a strong start, led by great defense by Bethany Heitland,11, with strong support from Julia Austin, 12, and Jaelyn Hershberger, 11, both totaling over ten digs over the course of the match. Coronado kicked off the match with two solid wins, 26-24 and 25-21. However, in the fourth match the tone switched following communication errors by the Cougars, and in the third and fourth sets Coronado fell 21-25, then 25-11. The match continued to a fifth set, both teams hoping to take a win home from state, but after four long sets the Cougars  fell 13-15, ending their season 18-9 and with ten mentions in the top fifty of 5A statistic rankings, and three mentions in state-wide statistic rankings.

Mara Abernethy:

State wide- #9 Hitting Percentage, #40 kills

5A- #6 Hitting Percentage, #12 Kills, #19 Blocks

Ashlynn Garcia:

5A- #24 Digs

Bethany Heitland:

State wide- #47 Digs

5A- #13 Digs, #34 Aces

Jaelyn Hershberger: 5A- #30 Kills

Delaney St. Pierre:

State wide- #25 Assists

5A- #6 Assists, #26 Aces 5A, #47 Blocks

The Cougars have big hopes for next year, with nine seniors on the team. With Stormie Wells going into her second year as head coach, the Cougars will be a force to reckoned with.