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After being eliminated from last weekend’s 2A state volleyball tournament, Vail Christian head coach Britney Branson decided to keep her young squad in Denver through championship Saturday.

“I really wanted this group to see what it took,” she said. “I’m so happy this group got the opportunity to get this experience so that hopefully when we’re back there next year, we’re more ready and prepared and feel more confident on that court.”

The Saints fell to Rye 19-25, 25-16, 25-17, 17-25, 15-9 on day 1 of the tournament and lost to Haxtun 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 on day 2.

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The Saints composure and discipline out of the gate impressed Branson, who wasn’t completely sure how her team — with just four seniors and one junior — would handle the bright lights of the Denver Coliseum. The Saints’ racked up 16 aces, but they’re pointed aggressiveness led to an uncharacteristic amount of service errors, too. Then, at the beginning of the second set, the tenor of the match changed when an official’s interpretation of the libero back row rule caused dissonance between both coaching staff’s customary understanding. Protests from Rye and Vail Christian ultimately offered little clarification and maximal frustration. Rye responded by turning on the jets and the Saints youth began to show.

“After that second set, I think we just looked nervous,” Branson said. “We were making a lot of errors. Our hitters and setters weren’t connecting like they typically do.”

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Mary McClarrinon led the Saints with nine kills, Tenley Brasington tallied 19 assists and Jessie Allen notched seven aces and 34 digs in the loss. Branson said the weekend belonged to Allen, who also started on the 2022 state-tournament team as a sophomore.

“I think Jessie probably had the weekend of her life,” Branson said. “She served incredibly, she was so solid on defense. She takes so much pride making sure she gives our setters good balls.”

Other seniors stepped up, too.

Siena Kassmel came in for two sets in the Haxton match.

“She went on some long runs, played some great defense, took some teams out of system — it was really cool to see her shine in that moment,” Branson said before turning her praise to Michelle Teague, who’s seven kills were second most on the team.

“She went in and played outside and had some huge kills for us,” the coach continued. “For her to have some confidence and put some balls away in high pressure situations on that type of stage was really cool to see.” 

Even though Branson felt her team’s second game was a much more complete performance, Haxton’s size and power were too much.

“Some of them were probably the hardest hitters we had seen all year,” the coach stated. “I was really happy with how our kids played and again, we just kind of fell short. (It) was more of what Vail Christian volleyball looks like.”

In a way, the team’s short-lived state experience mirrored the regular season: a mix of highs and lows; a juxtaposition of young talents’ promise with errors born out of inexperience. During one of the lower points of the campaign, Branson realized a league title or state berth couldn’t be earned in any one single moment.

“We just needed to get better every single day,” she said of her midseason epiphany. “And if we continue to get better every single day, every single week, we will be peaking at the right moments.”

That happened at the Saint’s dominant region performance. While they couldn’t put it all together at state, they’re hoping they can run it back next fall.

“It was just a great opportunity for this group to get experience,” Branson said. “I believe we’ll be there in the future.” 

Branson said the loss of Allen means defense will be a focus for next year’s group. The truth, however, is that all four of the team’s graduating seniors leave big shoes to fill.

“This senior class was incredible,” Branson said. “They live and breathe our culture, they represent our school and volleyball program so strongly, they are just a such a great group and they led our team so perfectly. I’m really going to miss them.”