Cougar spikers earn CHSAA all-state honors

Niwot junior Mackenzie Fidelak was named to the 2016 Colorado High School Activities Association volleyball all-state second team last week, while senior Brynn Chavez received honorable mention.

Fidelak led the Cougars to an 18-9 overall record, the 4A Region 11 crown, and a thrilling run in the 2016 state championship tournament. The 6-foot-3 opposite hitter had 331 kills on the season, which was the sixth highest total in Class 4A, and second highest in the Northern League. Her hitting efficiency rate of .299 and kills per set ratio of 3.8 were also second highest in the league last season.

It’s hard to overstate Fidelak’s contribution to the team’s success in 2016. She was the team’s second best blocker, with 60, and had the third highest digs total, with 217. She also had 30 service aces on the season.

Meanwhile, Chavez, the team’s main setter, lead the Northern League in total assists, with 833 and assists per set (9.4), which was also good for sixth best in 4A this season. Her 35 aces were the 11th highest total in the league, and third best for the Cougars. She also had 226 digs on the season, Niwot’s second highest total, and 11th best in the Northern League.

In September, Chavez, who with Fidelak and Sarah Falk was a team co-captain, was named MaxPreps/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Colorado Player of the Week.

Though they fell short of their ultimate goal, a state championship, it would be hard to characterize the Cougars’ 2016 season as anything but a triumph. Their 18-9 record was their best since 2014, and their fourth winning season in the last five. They were undefeated in conference play, and along the way, posted decisive victories over rivals Longmont and Silver Creek.

Statistically, Niwot led the Northern League in Hitting Percentage (.234), Assists (870), and Total Blocks (235), and were second in Kills (905). Sophomore middle hitter Zoe Gonzales was the league’s top blocker, with 95, which was good for sixth overall in the state. Ashley Bradbury, the Cougars’ sophomore libero, had 319 digs on the season, fifth best in the league.

Brown, who just completed his fourth season as Niwot’s head volleyball coach, pointed to a couple of factors in the team’s success.

“I think this year was about having more experience on the varsity squad than we did last year,” he said. “Our upper classmen provided some outstanding leadership, not just to the varsity squad, but to the entire program.”

He also believes the team’s commitment to training and injury prevention played a role down the stretch.

“It’s a long, hard season, and we go five days per week,” he noted. “The girls did separate conditioning with a certified trainer a couple of times per week, and we had the kids screened for ACLs and other risks early on in the season.”

“We didn’t have anyone out [with an injury], and we were very fortunate in that regard.”

As for what’s next for the Cougar volleyball squad, Brown sees only good things on the horizon. Just three regular varsity players will graduate next year, including Chavez and Falk, who signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Sacramento State next year. Returning players for the Cougars next year include Fidelak, Emma Falk, and Gonzalez, all of whom are 6-foot-3 or taller.

“We’re still a young team,” Brown said. “I am already looking forward to next season.”

Brown is also looking forward to the upcoming boys volleyball season, which begins in the spring. Though not yet officially sanctioned by CHSAA or the St. Vrain Valley schools, boys volleyball is growing quickly in Colorado, with more than 43 teams and 450 players statewide.

“Niwot was able to field three teams this past season,” Brown explained. “Hopefully we’ll see a big turnout again.”

CHSAA will meet in early 2017 to consider adding boys volleyball to the list of sanctioned sports. In the meantime, Brown said he will start recruiting players and scheduling open gym time in early 2017.

2016 Season Volleyball Stats

Kills — Mackenzie Fidelak 331, Sarah Falk 221, Emma Falk 168, Zoe Gonzales 72, Emma Shiers 62, Audrey Richard 24, Brynn Chavez 20, Ashley Bradbury 5, Courtney Smoljan 2

Blocks — Zoe Gonzales 95; Mackenzie Fidelak 60; Emma Falk 54; Sarah Falk 21; Emma Shiers 10; Brynn Chavez 7; Audrey Richard 5

Digs — Ashley Bradbury 319, Brynn Chavez 226, Mackenize Fidelak 217, Audrey Richard 133, Sarah Falk 121, Rachel Priola 117, Courtney Smoljan 54, Emma Falk 47, Emma Shiers 36, Zoe Gonzales 20, Rachel Oliver 4

Aces — Sarah Falk 39, Emma Falk 37, Brynn Chavez 35, Mackenzie Fidelak 30, Audrey Richard 29, Ashley Bradbury 16, Courtney Smoljan 16, Rachel Priola 8, Emma Shiers 1, Rachel Oliver 1