The Cheney High volleyball team's 2015 season was a rollercoaster that ended with the team accomplishing a feat they hadn't done in many years - winning a regular season Great Northern League championship.
In 2014, the Lady Blackhawks, led by first-year head coach Courtney Webb, were 6-6 in Great Northern League play, 7-8 overall and finished third in the league standings. The team started off their 2015 campaign with a new attitude, and a new head coach, Heather Zorrozua.
A native of Sonora, Calif., Zorrozua played high school and club volleyball then played for Gongaza University from 2004-07. She coached the Cheney Middle School's seventh-grade volleyball team, as well as the Spokane Storm and Spokane Sky club volleyball squads. She works in the Cheney School District as a students connection counselor.
This year's team had several returning varsity players including sophomore Peyton Stark, who successfully transitioned into her role as the team's setter. Riley Pease and Taylor Gould, both shined on offense for most of the season. KD Skillingstad and Ally Jones were two players who stood out on defense in their first year on varsity.
Cheney started their season strong, winning seven of their first 10 matches. They shot to the top of the GNL rankings early, sweeping both East Valley and West Valley in the regular season while going 1-2 against Pullman and Clarkston, who frustrated the Lady Blackhawks with their defense.
In the final match of the regular season Cheney lost to Pullman, 3-1, Oct. 28. Despite the loss, the Blackhawks tied with the Greyhounds (8-4, 15-7) for first place in the league standings to become GNL regular season co-champions. It was Cheney's first regular season title since 1998.
"Winning a league title was one of our goals this year and we wanted to get our banner up in the gym," Zorrozua said in an earlier interview.
Although both teams shared the regular season title, Pullman hosted the district tournament by virtue of head-to-head.
In the GNL playoffs, Oct. 31, Cheney swept West Valley, 3-0 in the first round before Clarkston eliminated them, 3-1 in the semifinals.
Throughout the year, Zorrozua said she focused on communication, building a solid defense and strategy. Later in the season, she developed a new offensive strategy which she said the team was successful in implementing to a degree.
Four Cheney players earned all-league honors. Pease was selected to the first team while Gould, Stark and Marissa Peach made the second team. Zorrozua was also named Coach of the Year.
Zorrozua said she could not have asked for a better group of girls for her inaugural season with the program. She commended their passion for volleyball and willingness to learn new skills.
The Blackhawks lose three seniors to graduation: Cheyenne Marchand, Hailey Bridges and Hailey Blazon. Zorrozua said she should have a solid core group coming back in 2016.
"I'm excited to see who returns, I can't wait for next year," she added.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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