Eaton volleyball dominated the competition at the 2025 state volleyball tournament, taking home the championship title. Their journey through the tournament was marked by moments of pure intensity, where every point won was the result of grit, sweat, and heart.
The atmosphere in the gym was electric; fans on their feet, teammates hugging after every hard-fought rally, and coaches shouting words of encouragement from the sidelines. Only dropping four sets the entire tournament, Eaton got the results they set out to achieve: victory.
The final whistle brought a wave of emotion: players collapsed to their knees in relief and elation, tears streaming down their faces as they realized their dreams had become a reality. The sense of unity and accomplishment was overwhelming, and the celebration echoed the months of sacrifice and determination that led to this moment.
Since winning the last state title in 2020, the team has lost in the semi-finals for the past four years. But this year, the team has beaten all odds and has had their hearts and minds all driven by the same goal. Unified as one, the team knocked all competition out of the tournament as they pushed forward to the championship.
In an interview earlier in the season, head coach Matt Meagher said, “If you stop right where you are, or you try to go back, you’re never going to get better.” He used this mentality throughout the season to push the girls to try harder and always strive for the goals they set to achieve. With that the team worked harder and harder every practice in relentless pursuit and they came out on top.
Eaton ended the season with a 25-4 overall record, finishing first in the Patriot League, achieving the top five ranking in the state of Colorado, never losing a game to a 3A team and the 3A Volleyball state title. The girls worked hard, aiming for perfection and returning stronger, thanks to crucial contributors to Eaton’s success.
Madi Smith (26) led the team in a 4.1 kill per set average, 399 total kills, 460 receptions, and scored a total of 139 points in the consecutive season. Skyelyn Lefever (27) totaled the season with 53 aces and a 0.5 aces per set average. Addison Corder (26) led the team with 53 total blocks and took second with a 0.276 hitting percentage over the entirety of the season. Trinity Salberg (26) celebrated 518 career assists at the end of her Eaton volleyball career. Hayden Logan (26), a first-year libero, showed out this season with 263 digs, making her the team leader in defense.
Assistant coach, Noelle Meagher, wore an Eaton jersey in her high school career, transitioning from a player to a coach was an “incredible experience.” Meagher celebrated the tremendous achievement when she said, “As a coach we felt nothing but pride for our girls, knowing that everything we worked on this year came together and paid off when it mattered most.” She acknowledged some setbacks the girls encountered, but as coaches they challenged them in many ways, so they were ready emotionally and physically.
Corder transferred to Eaton in her junior year and played her senior year at Eaton in the 2025-26 season. Corder said, “For me, it was a little scary at first, but once I got to know all the girls, it was like I couldn’t ever imagine anything going better. It was like the perfect group.” She decided to transfer for reasons involving her academics and pursuit of a college volleyball career.
“My biggest challenge that I overcame this season was trying to fit in with a bunch of new girls and trying to get to know how they play with each other. It was a whole new team, but hey, it all worked out,” Corder said regarding the challenges that she faced during the tough ups and downs as a growing team. She expressed her gratitude to such an amazing team and coaches who unleashed the full potential she had as an athlete.
Eaton will graduate 11 seniors, and five of those seniors will continue on their journey to play collegiate volleyball in the future; six remain undecided for now. Though Eaton will lose a tremendous part of the program, it is hoped that the 2026-27 season will carry on the legacy left by the seniors.
