AURORA – Fountain-Fort Carson fans visiting Overland High School stepped onto the court after the game and hugged Trojan players and coaches.
There were parents wiping tears from their faces as well as Trojan players who played against top-seeded Mountain Vista in the 5A Boys Volleyball Championship.
The sixth-seeded Trojans lost to the Golden Eagles 21-25, 23-25, 28-26, 28-30 in the title game on Saturday.
Fountain-Fort Carson coach Alan Sakdaran became emotional as he watched his players leave the floor for the last time.
“It's all about player development and whether I can provide them with opportunities that they can take advantage of long-term,” Sakdaran said. … “They established a tradition for the program, and it's amazing to see what they left behind.”
The Trojans finished last season 16-8, losing back-to-back games in the regional tournament and missing out on the playoffs.
This year, they started the season 4-2 and then went on a 21-game winning streak, including a five-set victory on April 16 against Discovery Canyon.
The Trojans did not lose until the semifinals, which the Golden Eagles won in straight sets.
Fountain-Fort Carson nearly lost a two-set lead in a playback match against Littleton Public Schools, but won in five sets.
“We slowed down the tempo, which led to some mistakes on our side,” Sakdaran said. “I managed to get the win, but I got a flat tire and it was an up and down battle.”
So was the rematch with Mountain Vista in the championship game.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 set lead in the championship with a three-hour break between the first and final match.
When Fountain Fort Carson was called for a timeout in the third set, trailing 9-3, Mountain Vista fans began chanting “warm up the bus.”
It's not that fast.
“I didn't think I had this much strength left,” Tristan Maroney said. “We came back and gave them a tough fight. I think we redeemed ourselves by (getting swept) by them this morning. I'm proud of how everyone played and came through the end. Masu.”
F-FC built a 22-21 lead late in the set, and the Golden Eagles took a 24-23 lead minutes later, winning 28-26 and preventing another comeback from Mountain Vista.
The Trojans started the fourth set with an 11-3 lead, but a 17-5 run late in the match gave the Golden Eagles a 20-16 lead.
The Trojans nearly pushed the Golden Eagles to a fifth set, but Fountain-Fort Carson never regained the lead.
“I'm proud of each and every one of them,” Sakdaran said. “I'm proud of everything they accomplished on this trip. We did this as a team. … Now the village is captured. Coach (Latricia Taifane) and Coach (Michelle) Rambayan), our team managers, and school administrators, they all made us what we are today.”
Maroney, who has been with the team since its inception in 2021, watched the Trojans go from 3-8 as freshmen to a No. 2 team this season.
Now, he hopes the Trojans can build on this season's success.
“We have overcome many obstacles to get to this point,” Maloney said. “There's been so much growth and change in this program, and I'm so proud of what we've done. There were a lot of JV kids in the stands watching, and I think it's great that they can play at Fountain.” I'm happy to see the level and I hope they continue to do that next year.”
