The Grandview girls volleyball team was recognized on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions.
Photo by Army National Guard
One of only a small number of schools throughout the country to be honored on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, MaxPreps and the Colorado Army National Guard made a stop in Aurora, Colo. to pay tribute to the Wolves of the
Grandview High School girls volleyball team. This truly amazing team earned the honor by clinching the Colorado Class 5A state championship and a No. 18 ranking in the nation according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings.
The 4th Annual MaxPreps Girls Volleyball Tour of Champions arrived at Grandview on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 13. As we entered the crowded commons area outside of the cafeteria, a large group of curious students were investigating the Army National Guard table that displayed the Minuteman trophy.
Sergeant Pilletere explained that the trophy was going to be awarded to the Grandview girls volleyball team for their exceptional season. After hearing this, a wave of excitement spread through the crowd, and it became clear to us that this student body takes enormous pride in its school's athletic endeavors.
Crowds of students filled the gymnasium for a special school presentation. Gordon Young, a retired Grandview teacher and known by the community as "The Voice of the Wolves", took the microphone to welcome the students. All ears were attentive to the engaging "Voice," as he paid tribute to the AP scholars, All-State choir and band members, the Grandview 5A state gymnastic team, the Grandview 5A state poms team, and the Grandview 5A state volleyball team.
The students' applause and cheers echoed throughout the gymnasium.
Then it was time for the Tour of Champions to take center stage, and Mr. Young introduced Tracey McFadden, speaking on behalf of MaxPreps. Tracey quickly got to the point as to why Grandview's girls volleyball team was being honored. As she cited their impressive season record of 27-2, their sweeping defeat of Arapahoe yielding them the Colorado 5A state championship title, and their No. 18 national ranking out of over 17,000 high schools nationwide by MaxPreps, the fans responded with unbridled emotion.
Tracey then introduced Staff Sergeant Curran from the Colorado Army National Guard. Staff Sergeant Curran called for the crowd to bestow some extended and well-deserved recognition upon coach Childress and her team. He commended the team for its determination, dedication and perseverance during this season. Master Sergeant Baker and Staff Sergeant Pilletere were on hand to present the team and coach Childress with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, commonly referred to as the "Minuteman" trophy, and national ranking banner. Coach Childress and her team graciously accepted amidst the thunderous applause from the crowd.
Congratulations to the Wolves for an amazing season!
