Last fall Eaton’s volleyball team entered the Class 3A state tournament with only one loss under its belt, and the Reds promptly dominated their first two opponents in pool play.
But it was a five-set marathon with Holy Family in the state semis that really set the tone for what was to come. Eaton saw the Tigers drop the first two games, only to rally and take the next two before narrowly pulling out the fifth and deciding game.
That evening Eaton took the lesson to heart and swept Manitou Springs to claim the state title, avenging the team’s only defeat of the 2013 season.
Kortney Lockey. (Nina Lewis/Nina’s Art)
“It was pretty emotional. I think we worked extremely hard and peaked at the right time,” Reds coach Gwen Forster said. “Holy Family is a great program, and by no means can you ever count a team out. When we went five with them, the girls realized it was not going to be an easy road to a state championship.”
Reigning 3A player of the year Kortney Lockey recorded 17 kills in the final against Manitou Springs. The University of Northern Colorado-bound senior is eager to get back into the gym and start working toward a third title in four years.
“It’s like being on cloud nine having a state championship. It’s definitely one of the best memories I’ve ever had,” she said. “It makes you want to have a recurrence.”
Though the Reds are ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, Eaton won’t exactly have it easy trying to defend that title this fall. The Reds graduated three all-state performers, including a pair of setters in Ryleigh Haynes and Karen Sigg and libero Britt Pierce.
Lockey and junior Caiden Rexius return, along with Tarynn Sieg and Lindy Dixon in the middle.
“I have a great group of juniors who are extremely hungry and have grown tremendously,” Forster said. “It’s tough for us to lose our two setters — it’s kind of like the quarterback of the football team — but this team is not going to settle for anything less than the best.
“That role is going to be tough for anyone that takes it on, but we’ve got kids who have the capability of doing it.”
Lockey finished with 380 kills, 335 digs and 53 aces as a junior. She put together 24 kills and 17 digs in the marathon with Holy Family.
“She’s a great kid. She’s coming off an injury, but she’s got the mind-set that regardless of what happens she wants to play,” Forster said. “She definitely wants to win another state ball. It gives me chills to see the amount of passion that comes out of that kid.”
Choosing UNC was an easy choice for Lockey, who will get to stay in Greeley.
“I really wanted to play at the Division I level and I wanted to stay close to home,” she said. “Lyndsey (Oates) is a great coach. Their coaching staff is awesome and their program feels like a family almost.”
Manitou Springs will be a tough out once more after graduating only three seniors from a one-loss team. The Mustangs return a trio of all-state talent in juniors Nicole Mack, Katie McKiel and Angala Jensen.
Class 3A volleyball
Defending champion: Eaton
Runner-up: Manitou Springs
Returning All-State players: Cori Aafedt, Sr., Valley (1st team); Kinzie Chrisman, Sr., Sterling (2nd); Emily Dellenbach, Sr., Valley (1st); Kirstie Hillyer, Sr., Bayfield (2nd); Blayke Hranika, Sr., Holy Family (2nd); Angala Jensen, Jr., Manitou Springs (2nd); Kortney Lockey, Sr., Eaton (1st); Nicole Mack, Jr., Manitou Springs (1st); Katie McKiel, Jr., Manitou Springs (1st); Caiden Rexius, Jr., Eaton (2nd); Abby Skrastins, Jr., Colorado Springs Christian (2nd).
Regular Season begins: Aug. 21
Playoffs: Regionals completed by Nov. 1
Championship: Nov. 7-8 at Denver Coliseum