DENVER – In a season that will go down as one of the best in program history, it seems only fitting that that M-CHS would earn lofty recognition in the CHSAA postseason awards.
Senior Myka Glover, one of the talents that spearheaded a memorable campaign, earned the distinction befitting of such a season. Glover landed on the 3A all-state first team to highlight a group of five local volleyball standouts making their all-state squads.
Glover joined Dolores junior Erin Brown and senior Akira Edwards, who were 2A all-state selections, while Dove Creek celebrated a pair of seniors – Kobie Beanland and Grace Hatfield – as 1A all-state picks to round out the local talents named to the all-state teams.
As M-CHS began to turn heads in the 3A Intermountain League, Glover emerged as one of the premier middle hitters in the state. She led a prolific Panthers attack in hitting percentage and finished among the state leaders in kills. Along with a talented group of upperclassmen, Glover paced the way for an unbeaten regular season, an IML title, and a trip to the state tournament.
Under head coach Joye McHenry, the Panthers advanced all the way to the state semifinals, including a come-from-behind win over Prospect Ridge in the quarterfinals to propel M-CHS to one of its best state finishes ever. The Panthers dream run came to an end in the state semis against Sterling, but their 14-1 season and the core of seniors that brought them there won’t soon be forgotten.
Dolores junior Erin Brown enjoyed similar success on the Bears’ front line, posing one of the most ominous threats in the entire 2A/1A San Juan Basin League. Guiding a 10-6 Bears squad, a second-place finisher in the SJBL title chase, Brown served as the focal point of the Dolores offense, leading the team in most statistical categories in the attack. Her efforts landed her on the 2A second team all-state.
Teammate Akira Edwards served as an anchor for the Dolores back line from her libero position, keeping rallies alive for the Bear defense. Edwards led the team in digs, bringing an electric energy to the squad that made another 2A regional tournament appearance. Edwards landed an honorable mention for her efforts on the court for head coach Gina Hollen.
Dove Creek received a pair of 1A honorable mentions - seniors Kobie Beanland and Grace Hatfield – as the Bulldogs capped an unbeaten league run in the SJBL, to go along with a trip to the regional title match. Beanland and Hatfield guided the Bulldogs to a 12-3 record using their versatility and athleticism, finishing among their team and league leaders in a variety of categories, including digs and kills.
The Colorado High School Activities Association named the all-state squads across all five classifications based on nominations from the leagues, and voting from coaches.
