Vail Christian girls volleyball wins regional, advances to 2A state tournament
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The Vail Christian girls volleyball team has seen its share of ups and downs this year, but one thing is now certain: they’re getting hot when it counts.
The No. 14-seeded Saints defeated No. 26 Calhan 3-1 and swept host No. 11 Heritage Christian to win the 2A Region 11 title on Monday and advance to the state tournament for the second time in three years.
“It was so awesome; they did so great,” head coach Britney Branson said. “We’re just so excited to be going to state … I just feel like we’re peaking at the right time.”
Branson’s second season at the helm has seen positives 鈥� an epic rally against Meeker to extend the Western Slope winning streak to 22 games 鈥� and negatives, like the ending of said streak after giving up a 2-1 lead against De Beque a week later. But as the team prepped for regionals last week, the coach could tell a corner had been turned. Focus, composure and maturity from the sophomore-heavy team was evident. Mistakes from earlier in the year were getting cleaned up, decision-making improved and situational awareness rose with each drill.
“It’s not just our starters. It’s our entire team,” Branson said. “I’m so impressed with the girls who are our backups. They push everyone at practice and make the level so competitive. They’re the reason I felt so prepared and confident in how we would do.”
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Their growth didn’t manifest itself immediately on the court Monday, however, as the Saints committed 10 hitting errors in a 25-19 first-set loss to Calhan. Convinced it was first-game jitters, Branson held onto the original game plan. It paid off.
Behind Mary McClarrinon’s 21 kills and Betty Bartok’s 12 aces, the Saints closed out the match 25-10, 25-9, 25-16.
“It was awesome to see them turn it on and not let the first game affect them or get in their head,” Branson said before praising Bartok specifically for her willing versatility when the Saints shifted to a 5-1, slotting teammate Tenley Brasington into the role of setter.
“She’s such a leader and so composed,” Branson said. “I think she really trusts our system and understands we are trying to put the best six out there for what we believe works best in the moment and she’s on board with whatever that means.”
The Saints were strong in all three offensive positions and every defensive facet. They kept the momentum going into the second game, silencing the crowd with a 25-12 first-set victory. McClarrinon, who would finish with a team-high 15 kills, overwhelmed the Eagles’ defense out of the gate.
“Mary just went off,” Branson said. “Out of system, in system, (she) was swinging aggressively.” Once again, Vail Christian’s skill at the service line paid huge dividends. Bartok led the way again, accumulating five of the team’s 12 aces. Jessie Allen had 20 digs on defense, with Brasington and Sam Bates adding 11 and nine apiece. Top down, everyone on the roster played a significant role as Vail Christian put any Heritage Christian rally to rest, clinching its first state berth in the Branson era with a 25-20, 25-18 close.
“It was just so much fun; super high energy, our bench was incredible,” Branson stated. “They understood the assignment and just celebrated everyone so well.”
The Saints (17-6) 鈥� who are on a seven-game winning streak 鈥� will play Rye (21-4) on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Denver Coliseum. They’ll be playing on the exact same court Branson was on in 2006 when she led Battle Mountain to the state championship.
“That just gives me chills,” said the coach, who has only been to the event a couple of times as a fan since winning the title as an athlete. “I just know that feeling and it could seriously bring tears to my eyes. It’s such a special opportunity and I’m just so excited to watch them experience it and see it through their eyes knowing how that felt when I played my senior year.”
