All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Senior Azael Marrufo was named First Team All-State for a standout season that included a game-winning playoff goal.
Middle hitter Zoe Gibbs led Niwot to the Class 4A state semi-finals, and was named first team All State for her senior season.
A trio of Niwot girls volleyball players and one boys soccer star received CHSAA All-State honors following the conclusion of the fall 2021 season.
On the soccer pitch, Niwot senior attacker Azael Marrufo was by far the Cougars' most frequent scorer in 2021. A first team All-State selection, Marrufo scored 18 goals and eight assists in the Cougars' 17 games.
Head Coach Stephen Dimit said Marrufo's season was particularly impressive due to his knack for scoring in big situations. Marrufo netted a pair of goals in the state playoffs-one of them a game-winner against Regis Groff- and scored at least once in all 10 of Niwot's wins. He also finished the season with four multi-goal games, including two hat tricks.
"I'm not sure that there was any player that did what he did as an attacker this year in the state in terms of contributing a goal, or two goals or three goals every single game that he played in," Dimit said. "If we won a game, it was in no small part due to his effort."
It won't be easy for the Cougars to replace Marrufo's production, and his leadership skills will also be missed.
"He's just so well-liked by the guys and so admired for the way that he works in games," Dimit said. "I know that each one of the guys that follow in his footsteps is going to want to do a lot of the same things."
The Niwot girls volleyball team, which lost to Thompson Valley in the 4A state semifinals, had three players receive All-State honors: Senior Zoe Gibbs made the first team, while senior Morgan Daugherty and junior Varshini Panuganti were both honorable mentions.
Gibbs, a University of Northern Colorado commit, completed her fourth season as a varsity middle blocker. In her final high school go-around, she led Niwot with 56 total aces and 4.8 kills per set. Head Coach Daisha Agho described Gibbs as the "level-headed" leader of the team.
"She's selfless, puts the team first (and is) academically incredibly strong," Agho said. "She's got goals, and she's driven and self-motivated in being able to accomplish all those things, whether it's in volleyball or in life in general. I'm excited to see what the future holds for her."
After transferring from Silver Creek following her freshman year, Daugherty was more of a vocal leader for Niwot. She averaged four blocks per set and was quick to fire her team up after a big play.
"An awesome personality, great kid on and off the court and was just a leader for even the youngsters," Agho said in describing Daugherty. "You talk about a program being successful, that's the reason why."
At libero, Panuganti's "all business" attitude helped her record 49 serving aces. Agho said the junior excelled in reading the opposing team and could pinpoint her serves with ease.
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