GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado ” It’s only fitting that the seven seniors who helped Coal Ridge to its most successful season in volleyball history were honored right alongside coach Denise Green on the All-3A Western Slope League team.

Along with those seven seniors, Greene guided the Titans to a league crown, a regional appearance and 20-5 overall record in the team’s fourth year of existence.

Those accolades were more than good enough to land Greene coach of the year honors.

Libero Kelly Romero, setter Sierra Grove and outside hitters Chloe Nelson and Jessica Needham all made the first team, while right-side hitter Brittany Smith and middle blockers Kaitlin Moeller and Britney Smith made the team as honorable mentions.

It was rough going in the program’s formative years, but the seniors stuck with it and brought winning days to Coal Ridge volleyball.

“It’s easy to be the coach of the year when you have a group like that,” Greene lauded. “A lot of the credit goes to their hard work and dedication. … These were the ones that started as freshmen in the program. They stuck with it. It could have been disheartening at the beginning, not having success.”

Senior outside hitter Maria Flores and senior libero Brenda Bamford landed first-team picks from Roaring Fork and, from Grand Valley, sophomore outside hitter Samantha James made the first team. The Cardinals’ Caitlin Brady (junior right-side hitter) and Jessica Bell (sophomore middle) nabbed honorable mentions.