Aurora’s three Class 5A state tournament qualifiers, including runner-up Grandview, stock the 2012 Aurora Sentinel All-City Volleyball Team, as selected by the Sentinel with balloting of city coaches.
Grandview, which advanced to the 5A state championship match before losing to Doherty, is represented on the first team by junior Morgan Montgomery, the team’s most dangerous weapon who led the team in kills and service aces. She was the team’s lone first team All-Centennial League selection.
Eaglecrest had a disappointing end to its tournament as junior outside hitter Taylor Loyd’s knee injury proved to be its undoing. Still, coach Tanya Bond’s Raptors featured a trio of elite talents in University of Denver-bound middle blocker Ruth Okoye and sophomore setter Jordyn Poulter, a University of Illinois commitment.
Poulter finished 3rd in 5A with an average of 9.8 assists per set, had a whopping 70 service aces and was second on the team in blocks. Loyd — who verbally committed to DU before the season — averaged 4.5 kills per set and was second on the Raptors in digs. Okoye, who was selected to the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports All-State Game, averaged a team-best 1.6 blocks per set and was second at 2.9 kills per set.
Cherokee Trail was 19-8 and made state at the 5A level for the first time and second overall.
Outside hitter Kayla Slofkiss led a senior class determined to leave their mark and the University of Wyoming recruit did her best to make that happen as she led the Cougars in kills, service aces and digs.
Sophomore setter Sidney Wicks benefited from an array of weapons and joined Slofkiss on the All-Centennial League first team as she averaged 8.4 assists per set, which was third in the Centennial League.
Rangeview, which went 19-6 and fell just short of making the state tournament as well, had a dynamic senior duo in outside hitter/setter Allie Walker and libero Amanda Maestas.
Walker, who was picked to the CCGS All-State Game, averaged 4 kills and 4.2 assists per set and was second in digs behind Maestas, who dug 445 balls, had 45 service aces and made just eight errors in 363 service receives.Regis J
Regis Jesuit junior libero Katie Carlson had a big task facing Continental League opponents, received serve 593 times (with only 36 errors) and piled up 391 digs.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at [email protected] or 303-750-7555
2012 AURORA SENTINEL ALL-CITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Setter: Jordyn Poulter, Eaglecrest, soph.; Sidney Wicks, Cherokee Trail, soph.; Middle/outside hitters: Taylor Loyd, Eaglecrest, jr.; Morgan Montgomery, Grandview, jr.; Ruth Okoye, Eaglecrest, sr.; Kayla Slofkiss, Cherokee Trail, sr.; Allie Walker, Rangeview, sr.; Libero/Def. Specialist: Katie Carlson, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Amanda Maestas, Rangeview, sr.;
SECOND TEAM
Setter: Alyssa Svalberg, Grandview, jr.; Kaitlyn Taggart, Regis Jesuit, sr.; Middle/outside hitters: Lauren Dunkle, Cherokee Trail, sr.; Elisa Elvolve, Smoky Hill, sr.; Haley McLaren, Grandview, soph.; Santaisha Sturges, Regis Jesuit, soph.; Shannon Webb, Cherokee Trail, fr.; Libero/Def. Specialist: Alex Chapin, Smoky Hill, sr.; Sydney Ederhoff, Grandview, jr.
HONORABLE MENTION: Heather Bach, Vista PEAK, jr.; Marie Banks, Hinkley, soph.; Hannah Carnes, Rangeview, sr.; Breezy Carroll, Gateway, sr.; Cree Clemmons, Rangeview, sr.; Kylie Copple, Grandview, jr.; Cat Denney, Grandview, sr.; Kim Egli, Hinkley, sr.; Salamasina Fifita, Hinkley, jr.; Kelsie Hurtado, Gateway, fr.; Malia Kennedy, Vista PEAK, soph.; Natalya King, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Jessica McGhee, Rangeview, sr.; Kiana Renner, Vista PEAK, jr.; Kyah Scott, Gateway, jr.; Kelsi Smith, Eaglecrest, sr.; Allurah Taylor, Gateway, jr.
