Volleyball preview: Fairview pursuing first state championship

(Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

In one whirlwind day last November, Fairview’s volleyball team ran the gamut of emotions.

The Knights endured one of the longest days possible at the Class 5A state tournament at the Denver Coliseum, playing a total of 13 sets through three matches and one tiebreaker.

Along the way Fairview advanced to its first-ever 5A state title game before falling in three sets to Cherokee Trail. Whether disappointment or exhaustion was more prevalent at the end of the night depends on whom you ask.

“We played a lot of vigorous matches,” said setter Audrey Cheng, a first-team all-state selection as a junior. “We had to work really hard for every point against some of the best teams we had played all season. Playing those matches and having to play extra sets because of tiebreakers put a burden on us.”

It was a difficult lesson for Fairview to learn, but one that coach Kelsey Spencer made certain her team understood throughout the offseason. A slow start that saw the team drop four of its first seven matches forced the Knights to make up ground the rest of the way, and likely cost them a chance to host a regional tournament and earn a higher seed at state.

“I think we learned a lot from last season because we did make it a long journey to get to that game,” said Spencer, whose team enters 2016 ranked second in 5A in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll. “We definitely made that journey as hard as it possibly could have been.”

That’s something Fairview is hoping to avoid this season. Cheng returns, along with twin sisters Caroline and Christine Schmiedeler, but the Knights will have to replace three starters.

“I think that all the seniors will come out with fire under out belts,” Christine Schmiedeler said. “I think we’re all very excited because this is our senior year and we do want to leave our mark and be the first Fairview team to win state.”

Also back for Fairview are middle blocker Meredith Pearl, outside hitter Haley Kilday and defensive specialist Taeko Chase.

Cheng established herself as one of the state’s top setters a year ago, averaging 7.8 assists a set, and finished second on the team in digs. Spencer said she did a great job spreading out the offense to create single-block situations.

“I love it,” she said. “I love my job, being able to touch the ball every single play and being able to control the offense and tell my hitters where they’re hitting.”

Caroline Schmiedeler led the Knights in kills last fall with 248 and was third in digs. Christine was second in kills (170) and had a team-high 31 aces.

This will be the sisters’ final opportunity to capture a state title together.

“Honestly it’s been one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. It’s been so much fun, playing on the team with her,” Christine said. “She motivates me so much and I hope I do the same for her. I think both of us kind of complement each other in the best sort of way.”

Spencer called the last few years a building process that included getting to state in 2014. The second-year coach said the players “got kind of addicted to making history” and that she believes this year will be a continuation of that.

“The girls kind of tasted what it’s like to be in that (title) game,” she said. “They know how close we were and how bad they wanted it. I think that’s going to motivate us throughout the season.”

Rock Canyon enters the fall as the top-ranked team in 5A after reaching the state semifinals in 2015. Chatfield is third, followed by Denver East – another semifinalist – and Cherokee Trail. The Cougars graduated four seniors, including player of the year Shannon Webb, but return plenty of talent from a 25-win team.

In 4A, defending champion Cheyenne Mountain is ranked first, followed by 2013 and 2014 champion Lewis-Palmer. Evergreen, Ponderosa and Montrose round out the top five.

Eaton has won three consecutive titles and enters 2016 ranked first again in 3A. The Reds graduated a pair of first-team all-state picks, but middle blocker Tarynn Sieg and setter Chelsey Lockey return.

Valley and University are just behind Eaton in the rankings.

Resurrection Christian, which won 2A titles in 2013-14 and was the runner-up a year ago, moves up to 3A this season. Defending champion Yuma is ranked first in 2A, followed by Paonia and Lyons.

Fleming and Prairie are the top-ranked teams in 1A. Defending champion Otis is seventh, and runner-up Idalia is eighth.