The CHSAA girls’ state volleyball tournament is dynastic. Valor Christian, Platte Valley, Thompson Valley, Lewis-Palmer, Fowler and Eaton quickly come to mind.
But no team has bumped, set, and spiked in recent years with more authority than Merino. The No. 1 Rams enter Thursday’s opening day of the Class 1A tournament at the Denver Coliseum seeking its fifth consecutive title and 15th overall.
“Tradition is such a part of this and is such a part of this community,” said coach Christin Sutter, who was a freshman on the Rams’ 1993 title team. “Many of my players had parents who played sports here at Merino. It’s a part of our lives.”
Merino’s volleyball dynasty took root under CHSAA Hall of Famer Judy Beardsley, who coached for 20 years at Merino and two at Peetz. Her Merino teams won 10 state titles, including five in a row from 1987-91.
“Judy established a great community and culture around competing and teamwork,” Sutter said. “The last few years, we have been able to rebuild that and it’s been phenomenal to watch the girls work together, compete and play so hard. I’m so proud of them.”
Merino, a small rural community 114 miles northeast of Denver near the banks of the South Platte River, will send its usual contingent of super fans to the Coliseum where champions will be crowned Saturday night in all five classes. It’s a crazy, vibrant scene, with five matches going on at the same time.
“It’s part of our culture, and our kids love to compete and their parents support them,” Sutter said, noting that last season, Merino’s girls won state titles in volleyball, basketball and track.
“I don’t know how many of our fans will be there but I just know that it’s always a joy to see all of those fans from Colorado’s small towns at the tournament,” she continued. “The stands are just jam-packed with fans from all of the smaller schools. The energy is amazing.”
The Rams (23-1) graduated just one senior from last year’s state title team, Makenna Sutter, the coach’s daughter.
“We have a group of seniors and juniors this season that have all been starters since they were freshmen,” Christen Sutter said. “Many of them have been active players on our state championship teams the last two and three years. So that part is great because we have some experience. Plus, we have some talented young players.”
This year’s team has two seniors: setter Brooklyn Sutter (the coach’s daughter) and middle hitter Veronica Baray. While the Rams are deep and experienced, they are a small team.
“What characterizes this team is our defense and our hustle,” Christen Sutter said. “We are not tall, that’s for sure. Our average starter is about 5-3 or 5-4. But for as small as they are, they play big. They jump well and hit well, but most of all, they hustle.”
The state’s other super teams are also seeking crowns.
Class 5A Valor (22-1), ranked No. 2 behind Chapparell (23-2), is chasing a three-peat and has lost just one once in its last 83 matches.
In 4A, top-ranked Thompson Valley (22-1) is looking to regain the throne after losing to Lewis-Palmer in last year’s epic, five-game title match. TV won at all in 2021 and ’22.
3A Platte Valley (20-3), the 2022 champions, has won 15 state titles and is the No. 2 seed behind Eaton (21-2).
In 2A, Simla (22-1) grabbed the top seed. The Bear Cubs are chasing their third state title but their first since 1996.
2024 State Volleyball Tournament
Where: Denver Coliseum
When: Thursday-Saturday
Match Times:
• First and second rounds: Thursday beginning at 8 a.m
• Third rounds: Friday at Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m.
• Final Four: Semifinals at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday; championships at 6 p.m.
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