Denver Repeats as 2A State Volleyball Champion in Five-Set Thriller
In a grueling five-set Class 2A championship match at Xtream Arena, top-ranked Denver secured a 3-2 victory over Hinton with set scores of 25-22, 26-28, 21-25, 25-18, and 15-11. This win allowed Denver to repeat as state champions, ending the season with a 50-1 record.
Key Moments and Players
Jamie Johnson, coaching her final match with the Cyclones, was sidelined for more than two hours but was the first to celebrate Denver's triumph on match point at the Pile de Triomphe. She reflected on her departure, saying,
“I was going to go with a bang.”
Sophomore Adeana Murch contributed seven of her team-high kills in the decisive final set. All-tournament captain Channing Johnson praised her perseverance:
“She is such a dog. You can give her anything, and she’ll come through.”
Hinton's Stellar Effort
Despite Denver’s victory, Hinton star Bailey Boeve delivered an outstanding performance with 38 kills on 81 swings, committing only 12 errors. Boeve, a Creighton recruit who missed her junior year due to a knee injury, expressed pride in her team’s resilience:
“Our goal the entire year was to make the championship match. We battled, and didn’t let them off easily.”
Summary
Denver’s hard-fought victory in a demanding five-set match highlights their determination and teamwork, securing back-to-back state titles despite fierce competition from Hinton’s standout player.