After a heart-pounding game Thursday night against Denver South the Thomas Jefferson Lady Spartans are officially number one in their 4A league.
Artwork by Ed Gloor
The week started off with a preparation game against the Standley Lake gators, which has always been a tough game for TJ, and this year was no different.
TJ dominated in the first game, winning 25 to 13. However, the Spartans quickly lost steam and suffered, losing the next two sets 18 to 25 and 15 to 25. Still determined to win they pushed through the fourth set coming back with a win of 25 to 21. It all came down to the fifth set, which by rule only goes to 15 points. The score was ping-pong, tied the entire set. It all came down to the final play, 16-15 with TJ trailing. It was a long rally, hitting and digging across the court, the ball put down by a block by Standley Lake. The lady Spartans lose 17 to 15 in the set, 3 to 2 in the game.
Photo by Henry Jackson, Jr
The big game was all about South, however. The Rebels hosted the 5A/4A Denver Prep Contest, both teams competing for first place in league. Before the game Head Coach Kathleen Nickless told the ladies that this game was indeed a war; a war on the court only separated by a net, a war that they had to win through blood, sweat, and tears. This instilled the ladies with passion and they ran into the gym excitedly, heads completely in the game. The South High stands were packed, with TJ hosting as many fans as the home team, invigorating the Lady Spartans even more. TJ started off strong once again, destroying the Rebels 25 to 15, allowing the scent of victory to begin to linger. The second set was just as intense, the ladies determined to win. South, however, wasn’t going to go down easy and kept right up with them.
Stepping up their game, the ladies took the game after a series of kills by Celeste Henderson, Mallory Baker, and Jessica Jackson, with the set ending in another win of 25 to 22. The ladies only needed one more game and their title was official. Despite being so close to the victory the ladies just couldn’t pull through in the fourth set. After starting incredibly slowly at the beginning with a score of 8 to 1, their minds fell to defeat and the rest of the game was all about catching up; the final score 25 to 14. The seniors refused to let another loss to occur, fixated on settling for nothing less than champions their senior year. They rallied the rest of the team, screaming that despite anything they had each other’s backs. The team’s moral was lifted and once again the ladies came up on fire.
The defense was incredibly scrappy; if the ball made it even only an inch off a player’s hand, someone was always there to take the next touch and get the ball over. The end of the game began when the score reached 21 to 16 in favor of TJ. South’s best server stepped up and the ladies fell into a rut, allowing them to catch up 22 to 20. A timeout was called, allowing the ladies to take a breath and throw their heads back into the game.
The fans stood screaming, every person on the edge of their seat not sure of what would happen next. The score reached 24 to 22, with the lady Spartans only one point from victory. TJ served the ball, having it hit quickly back up at them. After a beautiful dig by Angela Becker, Baker tipped the ball over the net. South quickly reacted barely getting the ball back up. South attempted to tip the ball back over the net but Jackson was there for the block. The ball hit the floor, game over. Final score was 3 to 1, Thomas Jefferson with the victory at last.
From here the ladies will be playing Rock Canyon Wednesday, October 19 and Evergreen Friday, October 21 both games away. At last, TJ will be hosting the Denver East Angels in League Crossovers Saturday, October 22. Be in attendance next Saturday to witness another extraordinary game in your very own Spartan gym.
