2A volleyball: Denver Christian wins program’s first championship
DENVER — In a matchup of the tournament’s top two seeds, No. 1 Denver Christian defeated No. 2 Limon 3-1 for the Class 2A state volleyball championship.
The two teams met in September and Denver Christian walked away with a win, but Denver Christian knew that a rematch was going to be difficult.
“When we met in earlier in the season I knew we would see them again and that they would be tough team to beat,” said head coach Russ Haman. “You have to give it up to Limon because they are a great team.”
Denver Christian came out fighting and began the first set with a win 25-14. But the Limon Badgers weren’t phased and came back strong to take the second set 25-20. Limon’s Trista Marx and Sidney Hines provided the Badgers with the several kills and blocks that helped them take the second set.
But the momentum turned as Denver Christian’s Emily Sullivan and Marissa Bol provided several aces and blocks that gave the Thunder the lead and win for the third set 25-15.
As the fourth set began, Denver Christian hit its stride and it showed.
“This group of girls plays so well together and we just got in our groove,” said Junior Jacki Bogner. “We just approached every play and every match as if it was the first one and it helped us to be comfortable.”
Standing at 6-foot-3, Denver Christian’s Jacki Bogner provided her team with several key plays that gave the Thunder the momentum needed to win the last match.
With the state title on the line at 24-10, Bogner approached the line and served with a cool, calm, and laid-back attitude.
“I just approached it that it was 0-0,” Bogner said. “I knew my team had my back and to just look at it as the first play of the set, it’s just a great feeling to be able to win this for our school and the all of the seniors on the team.”
The season has been a magical one for Denver Christian who went undefeated all season with an impressive record of 28-0.
Despite losing to Yuma in last year’s tournament, the Thunder approached this game as any other. They won the program’s first title, and Denver Christian is excited and hopeful for the future growth and success of volleyball at the school.
“We’ve worked so hard this season and today it showed,” said Haman. “I’m so proud of these girls and what they have accomplished and it makes me so excited to continue growing the volleyball program and grow with the group of girls we have.”
