Chatfield coach Stephanie Schick returns every player from last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LITTLETON — Chatfield volleyball coach Stephanie Schick will have the luxury of seeing several familiar faces on court this season.
“We’ve got all 11 back and we added three. We are carrying 14,” Schick said of her varsity squad. “It’s the biggest varsity team I’ve ever suited up. We’re excited, to say the least.”
The Chargers had an impressive 24-3 record last season with no seniors on their squad. However, a loss to Fairview in pool play at the state tournament and tiebreaker set loss to Coronado sent top-seed Chatfield home earlier than expected.
Even more frustrating, Cherokee Trail eventually lifted the state trophy. A team the Chargers defeated twice during the regular season.
“Last year it really hurt losing at state,” Chatfield senior Sierra Bartley said. “We know coming back we have a lot of returners and we’ll have more experience playing down at the Denver Coliseum. It really motivates us. We were so close sophomore year (2014) and I could taste it last year being ranked No. 1, but we just lost it at state. This year we are really ready to come back and get it.”
Sierra Bartley led the Chargers with 247 kills last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Chargers can reflect back on the past two successful seasons. In 2014, Chatfield had an underdog run all the way to the 5A state championship match as the No. 12 seed in the 12-team state tournament.
“I hope it benefits a lot,” Schick said of the experience this year’s squad has with back-to-back state appearances under its belt. “We have five or six girls who played in the state championship match two years ago. That has to matter. They have to be able to share the experience in a meaningful and impactful way.”
Bartley, 5A second team all-conference selection as a junior, leads the way for the talented Chargers. The four-year varsity player led the team with 247 kills last season from her outside hitter position.
Seniors Haley Fuller (181 kills), JayCee Jones (360 digs), Addy Plant (474 assists) and Nicole Langford (364 assists), along with juniors Breanna Jones (163 kills and 334 digs) and Julia Eiken (97 blocks), not to mention sophomore Shea Fuller gives Schick plenty of options when it comes to how she wants to attack teams.
“I know it’s the deepest team I’ve ever coached,” Schick said. “With 14 players it does add playing time options. I’ve got a long list of which way do I want to go.”
The Chargers have set themselves up nicely to make a run at a 5A state title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Schick admits she isn’t sure how things will look until the Chargers take the court in their season opener at home Tuesday, Aug. 30, against Valor Christian. However, there is a clearcut goal for Chatfield.
“Can we be unbeatable? Can we put the team together and build it with chemistry, trust and believe in each other so that we become unbeatable? That’s our goal,” Schick said.
While the talent is there, Haley Fuller knows it takes more than just skills to claim the ultimate prize at the end of the season.
“I think we have to remember to stay together as a team,” Fuller said. “We can’t be 14 different girls. We have to be one. We have to remember we are here for each other. You have to play for the person next to you.”
History might not be on Chatfield’s side when it comes to brining a volleyball state championship. The last Jeffco school to win a volleyball state title was Wheat Ridge in 1990.
“I want to be that team to bring the gold to Jeffco. We all want to win state,” Fuller said. “We want to get this program a gold trophy. These seniors have done a lot. We just want it.”
Chatfield opens it season Tuesday, Aug. 30, at home against Valor Christian. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)