DENVER – Lewis-Palmer players and coaches formed a circle on their 4A court after their semifinals match Saturday.

The Rangers remained huddled for five minutes at Denver Coliseum before everyone broke the huddle. Then the waterworks began. Ranger athletes voiced their appreciation for the team, coaches spoke of players’ growth, and Lewis-Palmer players and coaches tearfully embraced.

It was a bittersweet experience for the Rangers, but they’re proud of the turnaround from the start of the year.

Lewis-Palmer’s season ended after the No. 5-seeded Rangers lost 25-20, 25-17, 25-20, to No. 3 University at the 4A girls volleyball state tournament.

“This is like my family, and I’ve always loved L-P volleyball,” senior Madi Crowe said as she wiped away tears. “I’ve loved coming to practice and hanging with my teammates and the coaches. Since freshman year, it’s built on me how much these people mean in my life. They changed my life in a way that I’m grateful and blessed to have lived through.

“They love all of their players here and will do anything to make their dreams come true. These coaches have helped my volleyball career and helped me gain my confidence back.”

The Rangers (20-10) started the year 4-7, L-P’s worst 11-game start since 2020 when Lewis-Palmer finished 3-10, then Crowe missed the next 12 matches due to torn ligaments in her left ankle.

With Crowe sidelined, Lewis-Palmer coach Chrissy Leonhardt said players needed to step up, and the Rangers answered the call.

“Ariana O’Connor did an incredible job of filling those shoes and became a six-rotation player for us,” Leonhardt said. “She was reliable, and did her job and did it really well for us.”

O’Connor said her club volleyball experience helped her fill in for Crowe and gave Lewis-Palmer the necessary juice to endure the loss of one of their top hitters.

“I hit in club and I’m also a (defensive specialist) so filling Madi’s role wasn’t something I haven’t done before,” O’Connor said. “Madi has a good reputation and I wanted to continue and fulfill that.”

The Rangers’ metaphorical ship remained afloat and Lewis-Palmer steamrolled its way through the remainder of the regular season and, as Crowe returned at last week’s regional tournament, secured 4A’s fifth seed at state.

“This team learned resiliency, teamwork and grit,” Leonhardt said. “They never gave up and their ability to step up and fight for each other was amazing. There was so much selflessness in this team and everyone did everything for each other. That’s how we rolled until the very end.”

The Rangers dropped their first round match to No. 12 Standley Lake 16-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22, but won three in a row in the elimination bracket to advance to the semifinals, where they met the Bulldogs.

University was the first team to sweep Lewis-Palmer since 5A’s Pine Creek defeated the Rangers in straight sets on Sept. 11. Although the Rangers fell shy of capturing their first title since 2019, the tears shed by Lewis-Palmer players and coaches weren’t entirely from the semifinal loss.

Those were indicative of what the Rangers’ volleyball team meant to everyone in white, orange and black. “This is the best team of girls, and they’re all good people,” Crowe said. “We all wanted it for each other, and it was never about individuals. This was always about the team.”