MCHS

MCHS, Dolores advancing at state volleyball tourney

Nov 10, 2001

Journal Staff Report

Both Montezuma-Cortez High School and Dolores High were undefeated in play at the state volleyball tournament in Denver as of press time Friday.

MCHS, the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A tourney, battled back to defeated No. 8-seeded Glenwood Springs 15-17, 15-4, 15-3, Friday morning in the first game of pool play.

The Panthers later defeated No.5-seeded Brighton 15-7, 15-7, and were to play No. 4-seeded Mullen late Friday afternoon.

In Class 2A, Dolores, the No. 8 seed and a definite dark horse, upset top-ranked Heritage Christian 15-9, 15-12, in pool play Friday morning. They were to pay Byers, the No. 4 seed, Friday afternoon.

Their last game in pool play is this morning against Swink.

The Panthers were 26-1 heading into the tournament and were ranked No. 2 for most of the season.

They earned a third straight trip to state by winning the Region D Tournament last weekend in Pueblo.

The team has two fine outside hitters in junior Stefanie Allison and senior Casey Bauer.

Also battling for the state title in Class 4A are Lewis-Palmer, which was ranked No. 1 most of the season; Fort Morgan, Pueblo West, and Alamosa.

The Bears earned a trip to state by defeating two of three opponents last weekend in regional play.

Vying with them for the Class 2A trophy are Swink, No. 2-seeded Telluride, Wiley, Strasburg, and Akron.

This is the second trip to state for the Bears in three years. They qualified two years ago but lost in early play.

Neither of the defending state champions will be back to defend their title in Class 4A or 2A. Berthoud (4A) and Caliche (2A) did not qualify for the tournament this year.