No. 4 Chatfield volleyball digs out road win at Arvada West
ARVADA — The path is clear for Chatfield volleyball to win its first league title in seven years.
The Chargers (13-2, 4-0 in league), No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 5A volleyball poll, are three conference wins away from going undefeated in the Class 5A Jeffco League. Chatfield extended its winning streak to nine games Tuesday night at Arvada West High School with a 3-0 victory over the Wildcats (8-8, 2-2).
“I think it’s really cool,” Chatfield sophomore Shea Fuller said of the Chargers closing in on an undefeated league run. “Playing with these girls is really fun because they are all so talented.”
While Chatfield has been in the state picture the past two seasons, losses against Ralston Valley in 2014 and 2015 prevented the Chargers from winning league titles. Chatfield has already taken league victories over Ralston Valley and Lakewood to give the Chargers the inside track to win the conference title.
“Our girls completely understand a league title doesn’t do anything wonderful for us in the postseason, but accumulating wins is a good thing,” Chatfield coach Stephanie Schick said. “Going undefeated in league would feel great. We finally got Ralston Valley, that was a big one. It meant a lot, and getting Lakewood at home was tough too.”
The last time the Chargers won the 5A Jeffco League title was in 2009. Chatfield ran the table going undefeated seven seasons ago. Lakewood then went on a four-year run from 2010-2013 in winning the conference championship before Ralston Valley claimed back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.
“It was a good way to stay humble and consistent,” Chatfield senior JayCee Jones said of defeating Lakewood and Ralston Valley to begin league play. “It showed us we can win the hard games and stay humble when we win those.”
Chatfield remained hot Tuesday night cruising to straight set victories — 25-10, 25-14 and 25-8 over the Wildcats. Schick used her depth to keep A-West from focusing on just a player or two at the net.
Seniors setters Addy Plant and Nicole Langford had plenty of options to go to. Senior Sierra Bartley, junior Breanna Jones and the Fuller sisters — senior Haley Fuller and Shea — had big nights against the Wildcats. Senior Haley Jacobson and junior Julia Eiken did a good job controlling the middle of the net and limiting A-West’s most dangerous hitters in senior Aza Underwood and junior Delilah Vigil.
Haley had the game-winning kill to end the second set and Shea finished out the match with a kill in the third set for Chatfield.
“We always have competitions like that,” Shea said of her and her sister putting down set points. “There is always rivalry at home.”
JayCee and younger sister Breanna makes up the second pair of sisters playing for the Chargers. Schick said having the pair of sisters helps the team chemistry which she believes will be key as the Chargers head into the postseason.
“I’m still going to push them to make it a little strong,” Schick said of the Chargers’ team chemistry. “I think that could be the difference maker for us at the end. I want our girls to finish this season working as hard as they can for each other.”
Chatfield closes out its league schedule on the road next week against Dakota Ridge (Oct. 18) and Pomona (Oct. 20) before the Chargers’ regular-season home finale against Bear Creek (Oct. 24).
A-West has three consecutive league road games against Columbine (Oct. 18), Lakewood (Oct. 20) and Ralston Valley (Oct. 25).
