AURORA | Three Aurora senior volleyball players have one more match in store, as they were selected for the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports All-State match.
Cherokee Trail outside hitter Kayla Slofkiss and Eaglecrest middle blocker Ruth Okoye each had their seasons end last weekend at the Class 5A state volleyball tournament, but they will get to suit up one last time for the 5A Red Team in the CCGS All-State match, scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Arvada West High School.
The 6-foot Slofkiss, who helped the Cougars to their first-ever appearance in the 5A tournament and a 19-8 season, has signed with the University of Wyoming, while the 6-1 Okoye is headed to the University of Denver. Okoye was a key part of Eaglecrest’s 21-5 season.
The third Aurora player on the 5A Red Team roster is Rangeview setter/hitter Allie Walker, whose team fell just a few points short of making the state tournament.
Walker will have two familiar faces on the bench, as Rangeview coach Larry Deffenbaugh and assistant Doug Walker will coach the Red Team.
The 5A match is the fifth of the day, following 1A at 9 a.m., 2A at 10:30 a.m., 3A at noon and 4A at 1:30 p.m.
Since 1978, the CCGS all-state games recognize a number of the top senior female athletes from high schools around the state in softball, volleyball and basketball.
Aurora already had two athletes compete in a CCGS all-state game, as Eaglecrest’s Taylor Kigerl-Hill and Grandview’s Shy Calicchia played in the all-state softball game Nov. 4.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
COLORADO COACHES OF GIRLS SPORTS (CCGS) 5A ALL-STATE VOLLEYBALL
RED TEAM
Lauren Marr (Cherry Creek); Kiara McKibben (Doherty); RUTH OKOYE (EAGLECREST); Abby Shelton (Chaparral); Tiegen Skains (Pine Creek); KAYLA SLOFKISS (CHEROKEE TRAIL); Maggie Steward (Lakewood); Maddie Thorpe (Chaparral); ALLIE WALKER (RANGEVIEW)
Coaches: LARRY DEFFENBAUGH (RANGEVIEW), DOUG WALKER (RANGEVIEW)
BLUE TEAM
Jamie Bredahl (Legend); Kristin Conor (Highlands Ranch); Rachel Flores (Chatfield); Lexi Mercier (Arapahoe); Hannah Merkle (Cherry Creek); Cierra Simpson (Doherty); Morgan Stanley (Chaparral); Katie Weber (Greeley West); Marie Zimmerman (Lakewood)
Coach: Katie Winsor, Legend
