COLORADO SPRINGS - What a journey it's been. Playing in the program's first state semifinal in decades, the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers volleyball team saw its fantastic season, and the high school careers of seven talented seniors, come to an end. M-CHS ran into a tough Sterling squad on the Broadmoor World Arena floor, and the third-seeded Tigers swept the Panthers in straight sets to move on to the 3A state title match.
M-CHS, under the guidance of head coach Joye McHenry, earned their place amongst the state's elite this year, thanks to the off-season work ethic and collective energy from an upperclassmen group looking to cap off their careers in fine style. Starting the season outside of any state poll, the Panthers (14-1, 8-0 3A IML) steadily caught the attention of their league opponents, and later the state, as they posted one of three unbeaten seasons in the classification.
Sterling, meanwhile, entered with a mark of 15-2, and an 8-2 record in the 3A Patriot League. Their only two losses came in the regular season against state-consensus No. 1 Eaton. Thanks to a 25-18, 25-15, 25-20 win over the Panthers, Sterling will get one more chance to take down the Reds, this time with the state title trophy hanging in the balance.
M-CHS, which will undoubtedly see a lengthy list of postseason accolades roll in for their efforts this year, send off Myka Glover, Kylie Lake, Grace Olsen, Amber Wood, Leigha Comisky, Devon McHenry and Amber Fuller, a group that sparked three consecutive winning seasons, and a record of 43-16 over that span, to go along with the 3A IML crown this year.
Sterling will move on to face Eaton, winners over University in their semifinal, in the 3A title match Thursday at 8 p.m.
