In just four short years, Boys Volleyball has grown exponentially in the state of Colorado, and Grandview has emerged as a premier program, clinching a ticket to state for the second year in a row.

“I’m stoked,” Head Coach Scott Nugent said.  “It’s what we expected, but it still never gets old.”

Grandview is coming off a season that saw them in their first state appearance and make the final four. 

“Euphoric,” Senior Ethan Carroll, who was instrumental to success both this year and last year, said. “I’m just excited.”

After a 17-6 regular season, which saw them take down the defending state champions, Mountain Vista, in five sets earlier this season, the Wolves were rewarded with the eighth seed and the right to host a region. In their region was a scrappy 12-10, 24-seeded Denver East team, which had two players finish with over 100 kills. 

Douglas County was the ninth seed in 5A and had made it to state every year since CHSAA adopted the tournament format three years ago.  Grandview gave Douglas County their second loss at state last year, ending their season in the first consolation round in three sets.

“We scouted pretty thoroughly,” Coach Nugent said.

Both Grandview and Douglas County beat Denver East in three sets, setting up a region championship game between the Wolves and Huskies.  Win and you’re in.

At this point in the season, prior to the Denver East win, Grandview saw half of their season losses come in their last five games, losing twice to Eaglecrest and once to Valor Christian – creating some tension and raising the stakes.

“I know we’ve lost a lot of games [recently] because we just haven’t played to our level,” Carroll said. “After the loss against Valor, we just had to talk, and we were like, ‘Hey, this is the last time most of us are going to be playing together, so let’s just leave it all out on the court.’”

As Grandview headed into their regional championship game, they played to their strengths. 

“Plain and simple, our aggressive mindset [sets us apart],” Coach Nugent said. “The guys stuck with the game plan, and we served aggressively.”

After taking sets one and two with ease, Douglas County picked up the pace with the season on the line.  Grandview was able to go on a run and bring it all the way back before finishing it out to win the set and punch their ticket to state.

“The trials that we had right before regionals set us up for success,” Coach Nugent said.  “So this is probably one of the best matches we played the whole season.”

Having those three losses in the back of their mind and learning from their mistakes helps make this accomplishment mean that much more.  

“[The losses at the end of the season] help us call out where we were still struggling,” Coach Nugent said.  “The fact that we’re able to learn from those lessons, especially the two losses Eaglecrest, that really helped us excel in our focus for these games.”

Even with expectations high, there is still work to be done. 

“I think it’s really just maintaining the standard,” Coach Nugent said.

“I think we need to come together as a team more,” Carroll said. “[We] just practice hard.”

Grandview got moved up to the five seed after two-time state champions and ten-seeded Discovery Canyon, eleven-seeded Valor Christian, and twelve-seeded Niwot upset their region hosts to book their tickets to the state tournament tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday.

Grandview will play #4 Legacy today, Thursday, May 8th, at 1:30 PM at Trojan Arena in Colorado Springs.  CHSAA runs a double-elimination tournament for state.

“I’m excited to bring a title – the first boys title to Grandview,” Coach Nugent said.

Gallery • 15 Photos