Following the season-ending CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Championships inside the Denver Coliseum, the All-Intermountain League Team picks were promptly released Monday, Nov. 16.
And though their iron grip on the league championship was forcibly loosened by Alamosa in 2015, Bayfield's grasp of the loop's Player-of-the-Year award remained tight as ever with First Team All-IML junior outside hitter Maddi Foutz earning the honor - following Kirstie Hillyer (2014), Suzie Rhodes (2013), Jennifer Phelps (2012) and Katherine Rifilato (2011), with only Phelps not currently active at the college level.
In keeping BHS motivated - despite the resistance of AHS and Pagosa Springs - to at least have a shot at a tenth consecutive circuit crown, still secure a spot in regionals, and finish with a winning 13-12 record, Foutz's value was evident as when she was up Bayfield was up, and when she was off the Wolverines were often quite off.
With Foutz moved into an attack-first role, someone had to take over the team's libero duties. Converted from an attack-first role, junior Emily Bauer was swiftly sold on the position and stepped into Foutz's former shoes to become a capable defensive anchor deserving of Second Team All-Intermountain praise.
Needing front-row firepower to fill vacancies left after Commencement 2015 claimed multiple members of the Hillyer-headed '14 roster, head coach Terene Foutz turned to sophomore right-side Kylee McCoy and senior OH Brooke Kudelski-once the terms of her transfer from PSHS were fulfilled near the season's midpoint - and each received Honorable Mention All-IML distinction.
Also earning First Team status were AHS senior OH Elise Tolley and senior libero Brooke Trujillo, Monte Vista senior OH Jessica Brown and Centauri sophomore middle Ember Canty, with Alamosa's Amber Ullery chosen Coach-of-the-Year.
Though the Mean Moose were cruelly denied - via a five-game loss to Greeley Frontier Academy in the 3A-Region IV Tournament finale - a trip to the Mile High City, Ullery's work in building the program up from an 8-18 squad in 2013, to a 14-9 crew last year was crystal-clear in 2015 as AHS went an unbeaten 8-0 against the loop (after consecutive 4-4, third-place showings) and finished 20-3 overall.
Essential to that end, junior OH Shannon Cody and junior setter Micalyn Carpenter were named Second Team All-IML. CHS senior setter Veronica 'Roni' Fringer was also a Second Team honoree, while MVHS senior setter Faith Pacheco and AHS junior RS Megan Meyer were Honorable Mention recipients.
Paced by First Team All-IML junior Megan Farrah (OH) and Second Team seniors Madi Lewis (OH) and LaShae Smith (S), PSHS - third place in league this fall - managed to capture the Region XII title and score a repeat State appearance, though like in 2014 it didn't go well with Pagosa losing to Patriot League powers Kersey Platte Valley in five and Gilcrest Valley in three.
Winning a third straight State Championship, nationally-ranked PL rulers Eaton went on to thump VHS 25-15, 25-18, 25-10 in the grand finale to seal up a 28-0 (16-0 PL) campaign, while Valley ended up 20-9 (11-5). Patriot contenders Greeley University and Tri-Peaks League force Colorado Springs Christian also survived long enough in Denver to see the Championships' "Final Four," but each was then eliminated standing 23-5 overall.
FINAL 2015 IML VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS (league, overall): 1.Alamosa (8-0, 20-3), 2.BAYFIELD (6-2, 13-12), 3.Pagosa Springs (4-4, 18-9), 4.Centauri (2-6, 14-10), 5.Monte Vista (0-8, 5-17).
DID YOU KNOW: The last non-Bayfielder to earn Player-of-the-Year was Alamosa then-senior outside hitter Sammy Jo Malouff-Chavez back in 2010, AHS' first season in the IML after leaving the 4A South Central.
