D’Evelyn volleyball gets desired rematch against No. 3 Valor
DENVER — D’Evelyn will get its chance to atone for its lone loss on the volleyball court this season.
A dominating straight set victory — 25-9, 25-13, 25-15 — over Littleton in the semifinals of the Class 4A Jeffco League tournament on the Jaguars’ home court Tuesday night sets up another showdown against conference rival Valor Christian.
“That will be a very big game for us,” D’Evelyn senior Mckenna Carlton said after the 3-0 win over Littleton. “We just need to show up. If we are able to beat Valor and get some revenge on them that would be awesome.”
D’Evelyn (16-1, 7-1 in league) travels to Highlands Ranch to face Valor (15-3, 8-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the league tournament championship match. The Eagles are ranked No. 3 in the latest CHSAANow.com 4A volleyball poll that was released Monday.
Valor defeated defending 4A Jeffco League champion Evergreen 3-0 in the other tournament semifinal Tuesday night.
“We really wanted another shot at Valor. I don’t think we showed up when we played Valor,” D’Evelyn coach Valerie Bennett-Battaglia said. “They are a great team, but I don’t think we showed them what we can do. We are excited to see Valor again.”
Valor swept D’Evelyn 3-0 in their first meeting this season Oct. 10.
Tuesday night’s match was the second meeting between Littleton and D’Evelyn in a week. The Lions took the first set 25-23 against the Jaguars last Tuesday night, but D’Evelyn won the next three sets to take the 3-1 victory.
“Playing a team twice is always tough, but coming in we were so ready to beat them in three and play our best,” D’Evelyn senior Taylor Whatley said. “I’m really happy with how we came out and played today.”
Whatley and sophomore Theyla Mirowski helped the Jaguars dominate the first set against the Lions. D’Evelyn cruised to a 25-9 win in the opening set. Junior Peyton Wright led the way for the Jaguars in a 25-13 second set victory.
Carlton was seemed to be everywhere in the final set racking up five kills and four blocks as the Jaguars closed out the match with a 25-15 win in the final set.
“This is the first year we can go to anybody and you don’t know who we are going to go to,” Bennett-Battaglia said of the Jaguars’ offensive depth at the net. “In the past we’ve had two, maybe three, big hitters for us.”
D’Evelyn has a busy few days before the Jaguars learn their seed for the 36-team regional postseason tournaments. After traveling to Highlands Ranch for the rematch against Valor on Thursday, the Jaguars will play five matches in the Dakota Ridge Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
“Coming out the first practice I don’t think anyone was suspecting we would have this good of a turnout for our season,” Carlton said. “But the way we are clicking right now and playing as a team, it kind of feels unstoppable at this point.”
The brackets for the dozen three-team regional tournaments will be released Oct. 31, and posted on CHSAANow.com.
D’Evelyn is on the borderline of hosting a regional on Nov. 5. The Jaguars were No. 13 in the RPI rankings before defeating Littleton on Tuesday night. The RPI determines the seeding for regionals. The top dozen teams host a regional tournament.
D’Evelyn is eyeing to conclude its strong season by making some history. The Jaguars have never qualified for the state tournament down at the Denver Coliseum.
“That has always been the goal this season,” Carlton said of making the state tournament. “D’Evelyn has never made it to state, so to make it would be a dream.”
