Payoff for perfection

Champion Wolves add All-Colorado honors to resume

By Alan Pearce, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Evan Semon / The Rocky

The 2007 Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado volleyball team: clockwise from bottom left - Breann Nesselhuf, Cindy Bathelt, Ariel Turner, Evan Sanders, Courtney Karst, player of the year Lauren Van Orden and McCall Paynter. At center, coach of the year Patty Childress.

Evan Semon / The Rocky

The 2007 Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado volleyball team: clockwise from bottom left - Breann Nesselhuf, Cindy Bathelt, Ariel Turner, Evan Sanders, Courtney Karst, player of the year Lauren Van Orden and McCall Paynter. At center, coach of the year Patty Childress.

Grandview's volleyball season, which included a Class 5A state championship, No. 9 national ranking and 31-0 record, epitomized success by any measure. And it was even better than it seemed.

The Wolves also avenged their loss to Eaglecrest in the title match last year. This season, Grandview, thought to be in a down year after losing five Division I college players, did more with less.

"In some ways (an undefeated record) is not surprising, because they're such a group of fighters, worked so hard and wanted to do well for each other instead of themselves," Wolves coach Patty Childress said after the trophy presentation.

Childress was picked by the Rocky Mountain News as the 2007 All-Colorado coach of the year. She was joined on the All- Colorado team by Wolves setter/hitter Lauren Van Orden, the player of the year, and libero McCall Paynter.

Others selected to the team were Pine Creek setter Cindy Bathelt, Eaglecrest middle blocker Courtney Karst, Swink setter/ hitter Breann Nesselhuf, Centaurus setter/hitter Evan Sanders and Mountain Vista outside hitter Ariel Turner.

The All-Colorado team is picked by the Rocky prep staff, in consultation with high school coaches. It is made up of the top six full-rotation players in the state, regardless of school year or classification, plus a libero. Paynter and Turner are juniors, the rest seniors.

Bathelt, a 5-foot-9 pure setter who will play for the University of Florida, was said by one coach to greatly improve her team because her sets were always in the right spot. Bathelt averaged 9.88 assists and 0.63 aces a game in helping the Eagles return to state this season.

"It's kind of bittersweet," she said. "We had more talent in other years, but we didn't do anything when we got to state. I was sick of losing there."

Like her Grandview counterparts, Karst, a University of Arizona recruit, experienced a 31- 0 record last year with the Raptors. It's remarkable that someone as talented as the 6-1 senior is All-Colorado for the first time, but she played back row only this season, a requirement for All-Colorado consideration.

"I just love being able to be out there with my team all the time, being able to control the game and extend my skills defensively," Karst said.

Nesselhuf comes from a 2A school, but her skills were big enough to earn her a scholarship to Washington State. Swink didn't reach state this season despite Nesselhuf averaging 4.31 kills, 4.0 assists and 0.85 aces a game.

"We had a great overall season," Nesselhuf said. "We were league champs for the first time in 15 years, but we lost out in regionals."

Paynter follows in a long line of top Grandview defensive specialists, and this was her first year as a starter. She averaged 5.29 digs and 0.5 aces.

"Winning state was the highlight," she said. "To me, it feels like I had a big role on the team this year."

Sanders averaged 5.61 kills, 4.58 digs and 1.25 aces. The 6-foot Colorado State recruit never had the opportunity to play in the state tournament but said Centaurus showed improvement in the 4A playoffs.

"Just our level of play at districts seemed to be higher," she said. "We were kind of under the radar, so I really didn't expect all this (All-Colorado recognition)."

Turner led 5A in kills, at 4.63 a game, while also averaging 0.33 aces, 0.75 blocks and 3.58 digs for the Golden Eagles.

"Beating Lakewood (was the highlight), because it meant we were going to state," she said. "(Losing to Pine Creek last year in a controversial ad-hoc playoff) probably fueled our season a little bit."

Van Orden certainly did it all for the Wolves, averaging 4.04 kills, 4.56 assists, 2.23 digs, 1.43 blocks and 0.84 aces. The 6-foot San Diego State signee had a say in every team huddle and blasted 27 kills in the four-game final against Eaglecrest.

"We went through a lot and I'm proud of how we won the close matches. Both times we went to five (games this season) we were down 2-0," Van Orden said. "We knew our jobs and supported each other."

All-Colorado volleyball

Player School Ht. Year

Cindy Bathelt Pine Creek 5-9 Sr.

Courtney Karst Eaglecrest 6-1 Sr.

Breann Nesselhuf Swink 5-8 Sr.

McCall Paynter (L) Grandview 5-5 Jr.

Evan Sanders Centaurus 6-0 Sr.

Ariel Turner Mtn. Vista 6-3 Jr.

Lauren Van Orden Grandview 6-0 Sr.

* Player of the year: Lauren Van Orden, Grandview * Coach of the year: Patty Childress, Grandview

Class 5A All-State

* First team

Player School Ht. Year

Carrie Baird Cherry Creek 6-0 Jr.

Cindy Bathelt Pine Creek 5-9 Sr.

Ariana Filho Lewis-Palmer 6-3 Sr.

Courtney Karst Eaglecrest 6-1 Sr.

McCall Paynter (L) Grandview 5-5 Jr.

Ariel Turner Mountain Vista 6-3 Jr.

Lauren Van Orden Grandview 6-0 Sr.

Player of the year: Lauren Van Orden, Grandview

Coach of the year: Patty Childress, Grandview

Second team

Erica Denney, Grandview, So.; Kendall Howard (L), Ponderosa, So.; Nikki Kinzer, Rampart, Jr.; Jordan Kissman, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Natalie Laband, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Kristina Rogers, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Bri Smith, Highlands Ranch, Sr.

Honorable mention

Amanda Arterburn, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Lauren Bloch, Arapahoe, Jr.; Grace Bol, Ponderosa, Sr.; Alyssa Bonelli, Monarch, Sr.; Molly Crockett, Coronado, Sr.; Ann Dylla, Heritage, Sr.; Kelsie Edwards, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Anne Fredell, Pine Creek, Sr.; Vanessa Gemignani, Doherty, Jr.; Cassy Hanneman, Arapahoe, Sr.; Randee Hayes, Columbine, Jr.; Sonja Johnson, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Kelsi Klikus, Pine Creek, Jr.; Cali Lemay, Legacy, Jr.; Sarah Miller, Mountain Vista, Jr.; Tera Moline, Fort Collins, Sr.; Meagan O'Leary, Columbine, Sr.; A.J. Palmer, Rampart, Sr.; Shelbi Pitcher, Lewis-Palmer, Jr.; Katey Powers, Heritage, Sr.; Karis Ray, ThunderRidge, Sr.; Katie Schimpf, Doherty, Jr.; Darcy Schwartzman, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Jazmin Stoner, Durango, Sr.; Stephanie Todd, Air Academy, Sr.; Tessa Trimble, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Breanna Williams, Columbine, Sr.; Jessica Wilson, Durango, Sr.; Erica Winkler, Highlands Ranch, So.; Lauren Yoder, Rampart, Jr.

Class 4A All-State

First team

Player School Ht. Year

Devon Abbott Battle Mountain 5-11 Sr.

Kelley Arnold Berthoud 6-2 Jr.

Emily Greenhalgh Conifer 6-0 Sr.

Kendra Roark Mountain View 5-11 Jr.

Megan Roark Mountain View 5-6 Sr.

Evan Sanders Centaurus 6-0 Sr.

Katherine Spahr (L) Mountain View 5-8 Sr.

Player of the year: Evan Sanders, Centaurus

Coach of the year: David Barkley, Cheyenne Mountain

Second team

Anna Atencio (L), Regis, So.; Katie Bussey, Alamosa, Sr.; Lauren Cooling, Montrose, Sr.; Holly Hutchinson, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Bri Morley, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Lacey Turner, Mountain View, Sr.; Ashlyn Wronkoski, Greeley West, Sr.

Honorable mention

Emily Alexis, Prairie View, Jr.; Adrianna Arreola, Hinkley, Jr.; Lindsay Baca, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Alysa Birdsall, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Laura Brodie, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Carina Brose, Longmont, Jr.; Andi Derloshon, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Skye Duncan, Berthoud, Sr.; Kendall Gaffney, Cheyenne Mountain, So.; Britt Geist, Mountain View, Jr.; Quinn Harmon, Alamosa, Jr.; Lauren Janich, Longmont, Sr.; Kori Landauer, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Madison Lane, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Kristina Lavrisha, Regis, So.; Brittany Mabb, Pueblo West, Sr.; Lori McGrath, Pueblo West, Sr.; Lauren Morrison, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Kirsten Nickel, Sterling, Jr.; Nichole Reidel, Regis, Jr.; Ali Risk, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Ashley Snow, Broomfield, Sr.; Nikki Stetson, Longmont, Jr.; Bev Storrs, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Megan Tapia, Pueblo South, So.; Laura Thomas, Regis, Sr.; Jill Tooma, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Brianna Verble, Montrose, Sr.; Kassidi Warnock, Liberty, Sr.; Ashley Wilkinson, Liberty, Sr.

Class 3A All-State

First team

Player School Ht. Year

Bethany Beck C.S. Christian 6-0 Sr.

Lydia Blaha The Classical Academy 6-0 Sr.

Morgan Broekhuis C.S. Christian 6-4 So.

Katie McKim (L) Erie 5-5 Sr.

Crissy Skokan Manitou Springs 5-11 Sr.

Kerri Taylor The Classical Academy 6-1 Jr.

Alea Wildman The Academy 5-10 Sr.

Player of the year: Morgan Broekhuis, Colorado Springs Christian

Coach of the year: Geneva Morford, Roosevelt

Second team

Lauren Alejo, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Kristen DiPaola, Trinidad, Sr.; Savannah Garcia (L), Valley, So.; Kristin Herlihy, Holy Family, Sr.; Dayne Toney, Basalt, Sr.; Brianne Vandegriend, Colorado Springs Christian, So.; Megan Velazquez, Roosevelt, So.

Honorable mention

Alex Ball, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Delany Burchfield, Strasburg, Sr.; Simone Chavous, Machebeuf, Sr.; Stephanie Dolan, Holy Family, Jr.; Hannah Gibeau, Faith Christian, So.; Jessica Giltner, Holy Family, Sr.; Shanae Gonzales, Valley, Sr.; Caitlin Hladky, Valley, Sr.; Jesse Hines, Lamar, Sr.; Shelby Holmes, Basalt, Jr.; Stephanie Hudson, Strasburg, Sr.; Sage Martinson, Valley, So.; Adrienne Matthews, University, Sr.; Billie Jo McMurren, Valley, So.; Jalyn McMurry, Buena Vista, Sr.; Alex Morford, Roosevelt, Jr.; Chloe Nelson, Coal Ridge, Jr.; Heather Nemiec, Basalt, Jr.; Lauren O'Donnell, Faith Christian, Sr.; Camille Rand, Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Kindel Rebeck, Platte Canyon, Jr.; Kelly Romero, Coal Ridge, Sr.; Ashley Ryland, Sierra Grande, Jr.; Stephanie Stull, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Sendy Valles, Roosevelt, So.; Jennifer Visser, Bayfield, Sr.; Kelsey Walford, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Amber Weingartner, Faith Christian, Sr.; Emily Weingartner, Faith Christian, So.; Courtney Wright, Valley, Sr.

Class 2A All-State

First team

Player School Ht. Year

Brittany Brown Sangre de Cristo 6-1 Sr.

Megan Hiss Hoehne 6-0 Sr.

Dawn Jenkins (L) Simla 5-4 Sr.

Breann Nesselhuf Swink 5-8 Sr.

Amanda Paradisa Hoehne 5-10 Sr.

RaeLynn Snyder Simla 5-11 Sr.

Morgan Witzel Burlington 5-10 Sr.

Player of the year: Breann Nesselhuf, Swink

Coach of the year: Caleb Howard, Resurrection Christian

Second team

Caroline Alexander, Simla, Jr.; Brittany Bright, Byers, Sr.; Lindsey Grasmick, Fowler, Sr.; Courtney Janz, Mancos, Sr.; Jessica Lundquist, Resurrection Christian, Sr.; Melanie Peterson (L), Byers, Sr.; Alana Ricketts, Calhan, Jr.

Honorable mention

Elly Alexander, Simla, Sr.; Cassidy Austin, Pikes Peak Christian, Jr.; Stacy Beckman, Sedgwick County, Sr.; Kaila Bowlin, Resurrection Christian, Sr.; Taylor Castillo, Kiowa, So.; Hannah Chaussee, Calhan, Sr.; Elle Clarke, Cripple Creek, Sr.; Breanna Cullity, Colorado Springs School, Jr.; Kirstin Cushman, Rangely, Sr.; Anna DeWald, Resurrection Christian, Sr.; Ashley Eikleberry, Byers, Sr.; Molly Etters, Vail Christian, Sr.; Laura Harris, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Chelsea Hughes, Dayspring Christian, Jr.; Kanielle Krop, Paonia, Jr.; Vanessa Leeper, Colorado Springs School, Sr.; Nikki Lippitt, Byers, Sr.; Megan Meier, Longmont Christian, Jr.; Mallory Morgan, Mancos, Sr.; Morgan Moss, Fowler, Jr.; Kate Peine, Longmont Christian, Jr.; Lauren Posey, Dayspring Christian, Jr.; Hillary Siegfried, Holly, Sr.; Mari Stoeber, Sangre de Cristo, Sr.; Tayrien Swanson, Jefferson Academy, Sr.; Christine Tompkins, Simla, Sr.; Hannah Walz, Rangely, Sr.; Erin Watson, Rangely, Sr.; Bri Williamson, Resurrection Christian, Jr.

Class A All-State

First team

Player School Ht. Year

Mindy Cordell Flagler 5-10 Sr.

Amy Einspahr Fleming 6-3 Sr.

Shelby Fritzler Flagler 5-9 Sr.

Rubi Gutierrez Kit Carson 5-4 Sr.

Talli Hansen Eads 6-2 Sr.

Alyssa Muller (L) Fleming 5-5 Jr.

Sarah Owens Merino 5-10 Sr.

Player of the year: Shelby Fritzler, Flagler

Coach of the year: Derek Herbert, Fleming

Second team

Bethany Atkin, Fleming, Jr.; Dana Corman (L), Otis, Jr.; Lynnae Cox, Fleming, Jr.; Carlee Koutnik, La Veta, Sr.; Jerrica Mallard, McClave, Jr.; Shawna Stieb, Caliche, Sr.; Bobbie Strand, Otis, Sr.

Honorable mention:

Kyndall Alvarez, La Veta, Sr.; Emily Bolejack, Elbert, Sr.; Kelly Bowles, Vail Christian, Jr.; Beth Cooper, Hi-Plains, So.; Melyssa Davis, Otis, Sr.; Richelle Fritzler, Merino, Sr.; Myleah Fury, Dove Creek, Sr.; Ashley Gaillot, Denver Waldorf, Sr.; Sasha Harberg, Liberty, Jr.; Kylie Hauer, Merino, Sr.; Jordan Jackson, Liberty, Jr.; Ryleigh Jacobs, Springfield, Jr.; Megan James, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, So.; Michelle King, Fleming, Sr.; Alexa Kippes, Caliche, Jr.; Jensen Leonard, Springfield, Sr.; Amy Marin, Caliche, Sr.; Callie McCaffrey, Hi-Plains, Jr.; Lesley McCall, Liberty, Sr.; Kristin McGinty, Vail Christian, Sr.; Tanya Morgan, Caliche, Sr.; Leah Perkins, Community Christian, Jr.; Ashley Ryland, Sierra Grande, Jr.; Cyndi Schumacher, Peetz, Jr.; Ashley Smith, Otis, Sr.; Kelsey Souza, North Park, Sr.; Kelsey Spady, McClave, Sr.; Stephanie Strong, Dove Creek, Sr.; Ashley Tague, McClave, Sr.; Nikole Willhoite, La Veta, Sr.