COLORADO SPRINGS — After a midseason stretch in which the University girls volleyball team lost two of three matches, coach Jared Rudiger, his coaching staff and his 14-player roster decided to be real with each other.
No more holding back words. No more holding back actions.
They were fully focused on keeping it real 24/7, no exceptions.
On Saturday, what sat before the Bulldogs was as real as can be, even though it was something they had daydreamed about for all too long.
It was the state championship trophy. The first in program history.
University used its real, no-nonsense, detail-driven approach to dominant previously unbeaten Lamar, 3-1, in the finals of the Class 3A state tournament in front of thousands of fans at The Broadmoor World Arena.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:The University Bulldogs celebrate with a selfie after defeating the Lamar Savages 3-1 in their state championship volleyball match in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
"Trust, and we were real with one another," Rudiger said, detailing the key components that carried University to 11 consecutive wins, culminating with Saturday's title victory.
"I've been able to be real with them, as human beings. They're real with me. They're real with each other. There is no faking. You can be yourself around us. And, once you decide to be real with one another, be honest with teammates, the sky is the limit."
And, the pinnacle of an uber-competitive 3A classification is also the limit.
After a 3-0 semifinals win over Sterling a few hours earlier, University dropped the first set in the title match, 25-21, but quickly assumed control from there.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:University head coach Jared Rudiger receives a hug after the University Bulldogs won their state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
The Bulldogs won the final three sets, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17.
Lamar's loss in the finals was its only loss of the season. The Savages capped their season at 28-1, falling just short of their first state title in program history.
The Bulldogs wrapped up their historic season with a 25-4 record.
At one point, just about three weeks ago — though it may now seem like an eternity ago — University was 14-4.
After a 3-1 loss to Liberty Common on Oct. 21, the Bulldogs had dropped two of three matches and may have been flying well under the radar as a legitimate threat to win the 3A championship.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:The University Bulldogs fan section erupts after the Bulldogs scored a point during the University Bulldogs state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
But, as Rudiger alluded, following some difficult but necessary conversations within the team, University stopped sugar-coating things and steadily rose to a bonafide champion level.
"This is just a surreal moment," Bulldogs senior middle blocker Aesha Alrashed said moments after the championship victory.
"But we've worked extremely hard the entire season, and we were meant to be here. ... We earned this trophy."
Alrashed finished the title match with team-highs of 16 kills and seven blocks. But perhaps her most memorable contribution was in the final point of the match.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:University's Aesha Alrashed (7) attacks during the University Bulldogs state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
She lined up at the service line, aggressively fired toward Lamar's side of the court and watched the ball trickle over the net and land on the hardwood for the match-clinching ace.
The celebration commenced instantly, as the Bulldogs, their coaches and their legions of fans soaked in the feeling of finally winning that first girls volleyball title.
"Now it's a matter of how many more (University) is going to get after this," said senior outside hitter Chloe Ruhl, who had 11 kills and 15 digs. "We have such a strong freshman group coming in, as well as our juniors, who carry half the team. It's not over. This is only the beginning."
The setting duo of senior Daryn Whitmoyer and freshman Kaitlin Smith ran the Bulldogs' offense to perfection, delivering crafty passes to all areas of the court. University's full arsenal of capable attackers — including junior middle blocker Katie Bauer (13 kills) — took it from there, driving balls down, around and right through the Savages' defense.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:University's Chloe Ruhl (3) attacks as Lamar's Alee Tice (15) leaps to defend during the University Bulldogs state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
But perhaps even more impressive than the Bulldogs' pick-your-poison offense was University's whirlwind-like defense.
Lamar is used to powering attacks right through opposing teams' blocks.
But just about every time the Savages attacked the Bulldogs, one — often two — sets of hands were right at the net to tip the ball.
And from there, University's stellar back-row defense — spearheaded by junior libero Jayden Nation (12 digs) — covered seemingly every inch of the court, pin to pin, line to line.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:University's Daryn Whitmoyer (2) sets during the University Bulldogs state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Without the luxury of relying on their sheer power, Lamar's talented attackers had to try to get creative with the angles and placement of their kill attempts — normally to no avail.
"Everybody — blockers and all of the defenders — we all just worked together really hard, and we ran the defense as we should," said Whitmoyer, who had a team-high 25 assists and was a key contributor on offense and defense.
"I just had this feeling in my stomach when I woke up this morning, like, 'I know this is the day. We're going to go get the state title.'"
Though this is Rudiger's first year as University's head coach, it is his sixth state championship, including two as a head coach.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - NOVEMBER 13:University's Jayden Nation (1) digs during the University Bulldogs state championship volleyball match against the Lamar Savages in the 2021 CHSAA Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs Nov. 13, 2021. The University Bulldogs defeated the Lamar Savages 3-1 to claim their first-ever volleyball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
He previously won state titles with Platte Valley — as a head coach and as an assistant — and as an assistant with Valley.
But, Rudiger has perhaps never coached a championship run as remarkable and memorable as the one he and his team experienced this season.
"They were on a mission the last 2 1/2 weeks," Rudiger said of his players. "We had a 2 1/2-hour meeting after we lost to Liberty Common (on Oct. 21). We ironed out a lot of stuff. We stayed at the school until 8 p.m. And, from that day forward, we've been a whole different coaching staff, a whole different team, and it's been pretty amazing."
UHS 21 25 25 25
LHS 25 22 17 17
University leaders — Kills: Aesha Alrashed 16, Katie Bauer 13 Chloe Ruhl 11; Aces: Kaitlin Smith 4, Bauer 3; Assists: Daryn Whitmoyer 25, Smith 24; Blocks: Alrashed 7, Bauer 2; Digs: Logan Conlin 17, Ruhl 15, Jayden Nation 12.
Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478, by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter @BobbyDFernandez.
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