Utilizing firepower and smarts, University schooled rival Windsor to win the Class 4A volleyball title on Saturday night at raucous Denver Coliseum.
The Bulldogs swept the Wizards in three sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-16) to beat their Northern Colorado counterparts for the third time this season.
“This was awesome and amazing,” said senior outside hitter Jordan Halley. “This has got to be one of the best groups to ever come through here. I don’t know what else to say.”
Saturday was the culmination of an emotional journey for coach Jared Rudiger.
A five-month investigation by the Greeley-Evans School District 6 highlighted a series of concerns from some parents about Rudiger’s treatment of players, ultimately leading to Rudiger’s resignation during the 2024-25 school year. According to the Greeley Tribune, the investigation, which concluded in December 2024, stated that complaints about Rudiger’s behavior were “moot” because the coach resigned and the girls involved had graduated.
Based on the findings, University Schools, a charter school in District 6, then chose to rehire Rudiger in March for the 2025-26 season.
“The journey has been challenging and rewarding, with a lot of soul-searching for myself, my family and this entire program,” Rudiger said Saturday night. “It’s pretty dynamic to win a state championship with this group.”
Saturday marked University’s second state title. The Bulldogs completed their season with a 24-5 record and won six straight games to close out the campaign. In 2021, University dominated previously unbeaten Lamar, 3-1, to win the 3A state tournament.
“This group played fearlessly this weekend,” Rudiger said. “We also played calm. We played ball control, and we had some powerful play from (6-foot-1 sophomore) Delaney Lauer on the outside.”
It was Lauer who drilled the winning kill in University’s 25-23 victory in the match-clinching third set.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking before the game,” Lauer said. “But when I put that shot down, there were super-high emotions.”
Asked if it felt like the ball was hanging in the air forever on the last point, Lauer laughed and said, “Yeah, it sure did.”
The Bulldogs overwhelmed the Wizards in the first set, winning 25-17. Halley’s perfect, soft-placement shot near the net clinched the first set for the Bulldogs.
Windsor was on the cusp of winning the second set, but University, powered by junior middle blocker Kaydence Lucero, took control to score four of the last five points and win, 25-23.
University dominated Windsor in their previous two meetings this season. On Oct. 21, the Bulldogs won in three sets and repeated the feat in Friday night’s third-round match (19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19).
“Every kid on this roster played a point or two in this tournament,” Rudiger said. “I don’t know if very many programs in the state of Colorado can say that all of their kids got on the court in the state tournament. Our team did.”
Windsor, designated to the elimination bracket, crushed Battle Mountain and then beat top-seeded Montrose 3-1 in the semifinals. But University was simply too good. Windsor’s season ended with a 21-9 record.
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