3A girls volleyball: Sterling’s Lisa Schumacher captures 500th win at state championships
By Brad Cochi/CHSAANow.com
Photo: Brad Cochi/CHSAANow
COLORADO SPRINGS – It’s rare for a coach to last for nearly three decades with the same high school program and if a coach does stick around long enough to hit certain milestones, they’re often hit during some random Tuesday night non-league contest.
But for Sterling native and 29-year head coach Lisa Schumacher, her 500th career victory at the helm of the Tigers girls volleyball team on the biggest stage possible.
At The Broadmoor World Arena on Thursday morning, the No. 6 seed Tigers swept No. 11 Alamosa in the first round of the Class 3A state championships to catapult their coach into history as the sixth coach in Colorado history with over 500 wins.
“Our season’s been not an easy season,” Schumacher said. “We’ve had injuries to upperclassmen and replaced them with freshmen playing, then there’s COVID, I mean, if you can name it, we’ve faced it. To be able to face the adversity we’ve had this season and to still come out and compete, I’m blessed. I’m totally blessed with great administrations, great talent, great parents, great family, great people that have helped me do it along the way, and just loving the sport.”
The Tigers didn’t stop at Thursday’s historic 25-23, 25-17, 25-13 win in the first round. Thursday evening, they upset No. 3 Lutheran with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-21 sweep in the second round that not only advanced them to Friday’s championship quarterfinals but also avenged a 3-1 loss to the Lions during suffered during the regular season.
Joining Sterling without a Day 1 loss and entering the quarterfinals of the Class 3A championship bracket are No. 1 Resurrection, No. 4 University and No. 2 Lamar.
Top-seeded Resurrection Christian won 3-1 over Faith Christian in the second round to advance unscathed. University swept No. 12 Bayfield after the Wolverines upset No. 5 Liberty Common in the first round. Lamar defeated No. 10 Platte Valley in four sets.
In Friday’s championship quarterfinals, Resurrection Christian will play University at 2 p.m. and Sterling will play Lamar at 3:30 p.m.
In the first consolation round, No. 11 Alamosa will play Bayfield at 8 a.m., seventh seed and defending state champion Eaton will play No. 9 Faith Christian at 9:30 a.m., DSST: Montview will play Platte Valley at 11 a.m. and Lutheran will play Liberty Common at 12:30 p.m.
