DENVER – With state qualifying seasons coming to their final chapter, Mancos and Dove Creek’s memorable volleyball season closed out with the Bluejays and Bulldogs earning multiple selections on to the state’s highest honor roll to cap off the individual accolades for a quintet of athletes.
Mancos seniors Teya Yeomans and Haylie Higgins joined Dove Creek seniors Kalie and Kylie Gatlin, as well as junior Ralynn Hickman on the all-state teams in their respective classifications.
Yeomans landed a first-team selection in the 2A, joining her all-state honorable mention nod she earned a year earlier. The future Montana State Bobcat pummeled opposition in her strongest season with over 400 kills, a hitting percentage north of .300, to join her team-high 258 digs. Yeomans added San Juan Basin League Player of the Year to her resume, and an appearance in the CCGS All-State games to cap her career.
Front line teammate Haylie Higgins also enjoyed a breakout season, posting over 160 kills and a team-high 72 blocks, earning her recognition on the all-state honorable mention squad. The duo of Bluejay seniors paced Mancos to a 23-4 season, a league title, and the program’s first state tournament appearance in over a decade.
Dove Creek enjoyed another fantastic season, advancing to the program’s first state semifinal in a decade, posting a 26-4 season.
Seniors Kalie and Kylie Gatlin earned recognition on the 1A all-state second team as catalysts for the Bulldogs. Kalie, earning her second all-state honor, providing over 750 assists in her senior campaign, while finishing among the team’s leaders in digs and aces.
Many of her assists met the waiting strikes of her sister’s attacks, with Kylie posting over 350 kills on her way to picking up her first all-state selection. The Bulldog seniors enjoyed their final match in Fort Collins as part of elite company in the CCGS all-state games.
Junior Ralynn Hickman, who led the Bulldogs in kills, aces, blocks, and digs, collected her first all-state selection, earning an honorable mention nod after Dove Creek qualified for their third straight state tournament appearance, advancing to the final four in the 1A tournament.
All-state team selections determined by CHSAA’s nominations from leagues across the five volleyball classifications and coaches voting process.
