DENVER | Cherokee Trail coach Terry Miller hopes his volleyball team made just the first of many trips to the Class 5A state volleyball tournament.

Experience on the big stage at the Denver Coliseum made a difference in a tightly-contested pool play match Saturday between Miller’s Cougars and Chaparral, as the defending state champion Wolverines rose to the occasion in the big points to post a 19-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 victory.

Miller’s team finished 0-2 in Pool III play in its 5A state debut — Cherokee Trail also lost a tight four-setter to Legend the previous day — and ended the year with a 19-8 overall record.

Chaparral overcame an injury to star outside hitter Abby Shelton to win Pool III and advance to the semifinals, where it will face the winner of Pool II — Grandview, Eaglecrest or Heritage — for the right to play in the 7 p.m. state championship match. Doherty and Cherokee Trail will square off in the other 5A semifinal.

Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555

Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor and photographer with Sentinel Colorado. A Denver East High School and University of Colorado alum. He came to the Sentinel in 2001 and since then has received a number...