DENVER – Winning is the expectation for Valor Christian, but the team’s fourth consecutive Class 5A state championship victory Saturday was special even by the Eagles’ lofty standards.
The 20-25, 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 24-22 marathon win over Chaparral at Denver Coliseum was unique for the perseverance shown by the squad by bouncing back from a five-set loss to Rock Canyon in their final game Friday, setting up a three-match gauntlet for Valor that included a 3-1 win over Pine Creek at 8 a.m. this morning, followed by sweep of Fossil Ridge later in the day.
But more than 12 hours after the Eagles’ first game action that day, the most special thing about the victory was who it was for. For the first time since Valor’s 5A dominance began in 2022, Jayne McHugh wasn’t on the sideline as she undergoes treatment for cancer.
“It’s special because of what these girls have been through losing their coach and me being here for seven weeks,” interim head coach Trisha Kroll said. “Stepping in brand new, them trusting me and us working together to carry out Jayne’s mission is special.”
The team wore the number seven on their shoes — McHugh’s number for Team USA — and posed with a No. 7 Team USA jersey after the game when they took team photos. A tearful prayer after the game was an emotional moment before more traditional celebrations were underway for the last match of the evening.
Chaparral controlled the first set by holding serve and keeping the Eagles’ attack off balance. By the second set, Valor had picked up momentum on a resounding block from Jenna Bell, then a kill from Bergen Waitman to close out the frame. Camble Booth and Tegan Buehler rained down kills to keep the Eagles rolling through the third set and eventually made it 24-16. The Wolverines closed to 24-19 before an attack error handed the set win to Valor.
“We had a ton of freedom to swing,” Booth said. “It’s out of love and trust for each other, and we know we won’t let each other hang out there alone.”
Chaparral took its largest lead since the opening stanza when it went up 17-13 in the fourth set. Defensive highlights from Ava Johnson, a hammer of a kill from Niko Shoemaker and a double touch by Valor settled the fourth set.
The marathon fifth set included nine match points before Kora Fisher’s block was tapped over the net, pinballed around the Chaparral defense and finally touched the court. The freshman also had the previous two kills to set up the Valor victory. The Eagles are the first Class 5A team to win four consecutive state championships, and one of just eight programs across all classifications to win four or more in-a-row.
Kroll said the perseverance and faith of the team drove them to victory.
“We talk so much about them using their gifts and talents to honor the Lord,” Kroll said. “God gets the glory and we get the joy. Tonight we got to share that with Jayne.”
