Normally held in the fall and often less than a week after the CHSAA State Championships, the Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports All-State Volleyball Games unfortunately – “due to COVID-19 and other factors” according to a statement posted to CCGS’ website – weren’t held at all during the entire 2020-21 academic/athletic year.
But that didn’t mean standouts weren’t saluted.
With her immediate future plans including relocating to Arizona to attend Glendale Community College for education geared towards exercise science and, with a little luck, continuation – anywhere – of her volleyball career, graduated Ignacio senior setter Marisa Carmenoros received CCGS All-State distinction. One of 20 chosen from the widespread Class 2A realm, she was joined by, amongst others, CHSAA Player-of-the-Year Jenna White and First Team All-2A pick Bre Gilliland – both of State Champion crew Wiggins – as well as fellow 2A/1A San Juan Basin League seniors Akira Edwards and Sydney Smith of Dolores.
SJBL Player-of-the-Year went to DHS junior outside hitter Erin Brown and, representing the league’s 1A side, Norwood senior Jenna Baugh (a CCGS All-State 1A pick). Dolores’ Gina Hollen was named the loop’s overall Coach-of-the-Year, as the Lady Bears finished 10-6 overall, 10-2 against all SJBL opposition, and a first-place 7-1 against the 2A SJBL.
Including First Team All-League (and Second Team All-2A) junior Alexis Pontine, sophomore Second Team selection Grace Gonzales, and Carmenoros – named Honorable Mention All-SJBL – Ignacio went 6-7 overall, 6-5 SJBL, and 3-5 in 2A SJBL action, winning 24 total sets and dropping 22 during the shortened, rescheduled Spring 2021 campaign.
FIRST TEAM ALL-SJBL VOLLEYBALL
Dolores – Brown, Edwards, Smith; Telluride – Emery Berry, Ally Tealdi; IGNACIO – PONTINE; Ridgway – none; Mancos – none; Dove Creek – Kobie Beanland, Grace Hatfield, Kalie Gatlin; Nucla – Ashley Steele, Morgan Weimer; Norwood – Baugh; Ouray – none.
SECOND TEAM
Dolores – Kamri Willbanks, Chandler Smith; Telluride – Emma Righetti; IGNACIO – GONZALES; Ridgway – Shelby Sisler; Mancos – Tia Imel; Dove Creek – Kylie Gatlin, Trista Barnett; Nucla – Lisa Sutherland, Natalie Flint; Norwood – Paige Franklin; Ouray – Aynsleigh Wood.
HONORABLE MENTION
Dolores – none; Telluride – Kyra Levan; IGNACIO – CARMENOROS; Ridgway – Emily Medina; Mancos – Teya Yeomans; Dove Creek – none; Nucla – none; Norwood – Annaleigh Dabal; Ouray – Haley Kunz.
EXTRA CREDIT
San Juan Basin League volleyball players earning additional postseason awards included Edwards (Colo. High School Coaches Association All-State, CHSAA Hon. Mention All-2A), Brown (CHSAA Second Team All-2A), Berry (CHSAA Second Team All-2A), Tealdi (CHSAA Hon. Mention All-2A), Baugh (CHSAA Hon. Mention All-1A), Beanland (CHSAA Hon. Mention All-1A) and Hatfield (CHSAA Hon. Mention All-1A).