Graduated senior picked for CHSCA Games
Once bitten, twice shy.
Once an All-Stater, twice … well, REALLY an All-Stater.
That’ll be Marissa Olguin’s reality in less than two weeks; the newly graduated Ignacio outside hitter, already a Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports All-State Games basketball pick, will be heading to Pueblo in early June to play in the 2025 Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games’ volleyball competition.
“You know, she grew so much this last year; she was so mentally tough and was really selfless for the team. Stepped into her role, in which she just played so hard,” IHS head coach Jennifer Seibel said Monday night, May 26. “And I think that showed with her maturing a lot; she just became a great team player – especially her senior year – and had great leadership skills. I think it’s really great for her to be selected.”
Set to suit up for Games head coach Cindy Seiler and assistant Tylynn Seiler, both of 4A Fort Lupton, Olguin will be joined inside CSU-Pueblo’s Massari Arena by, amongst others, Simla setter Meadow Nusbaum. Named First Team All-2A at season’s end, Nusbaum and the Lady Cubs ended IHS’ 2024 season in the 2A-Region I championship out in Elbert County.
Also on the Blue crew will be FLHS libero Ameriyah Jacobo (Honorable Mention All-4A), Highlands Ranch Rock Canyon outside hitter Alivia Eikenberg (Second Team All-5A), Brighton setter Brooke Logue (Honorable Mention All-5A), Hoehne middle Kaylah ‘K.C.’ Crosson and outside hitter Ellegra Gutierrez (both Honorable Mention All-2A), Greeley Dayspring Christian Academy setter Emmery Bonnell (Honorable Mention All-2A), Otis middle/outside/defensive specialist Madelyn Willeke (Second Team All-1A), and Collbran Plateau Valley outside hitter Emaline Ealey (Honorable Mention All-1A).
The first volleyball semifinal is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, with Red squaring off against White. Blue will then battle Black at about 7:45. The next day’s third-place match is set for 2:30 p.m., and the championship will follow at 4 p.m.
“It’s a great honor for our school,” Seibel said, “for (Olguin) to further her skills in the sport.”
The only other San Juan Basin League player chosen was Dove Creek outside hitter Taylor Barry (Honorable Mention All-1A), who will suit up for the Red team under 1A De Beque’s Leslie Weis and Tiffany Aragon. DCHS middle Ralynn Hickman will instead participate in the Games’ girls’ basketball tourney and play for the Black team, coached by Greeley University’s Matt Baumgartner and Ashlea Carothers.
Guided by 2A Fort Collins Heritage Christian Academy’s Paula Loucks and McClave’s Melissa Steinbrunn (Class 1A’s Coach-of-the-Year), the White team will step onto the volleyball court with a unique duo in uniform: 3A Alamosa right-side Taybor Wiedeman and McClave middle Emily Melgoza – daughter of late AHS athletic director Erik Melgoza.
ADDITIONALLY
In boys’ basketball at the Games, Bayfield head coach – and former Ignacio assistant – Damon White Thunder will skipper the Red team and be joined by Plateau Valley’s Mike Vig. PVHS forward Jack Vig and center Jackson Bevan will be on the team, but none of White Thunder’s several senior Wolverines were selected.
Pagosa Springs’ Karsyn Shahan and Elizabeth Currier will represent the 3A/4A Intermountain League in girls’ basketball, and will suit up for Blue under Fort Collins Rocky Mountain’s Justin Vallejo and PSHS’ Sarah Osborn. Monte Vista’s Allessah Archuleta was also picked and will hoop for Red under Falcon’s Chris Wood and Blanca Sierra Grande’s Tomas Maestas.