Communication and speed is key when it comes to the Colorado Springs School volleyball team, and it all starts with setter Maddee Morley.

The junior co-captain was loud and in charge throughout the Kodiaks (23-2) sweep in 2A Region H play Saturday, continuously yelling “Go! Go! Go!” or “Up! Up! Up!” against Peyton and Byers to help CSS earn a bid to the state tournament.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Morley said in disbelief as the Kodiaks’ school band raged on in celebration. “It doesn’t feel like we’re going to state yet.”

While fellow captains Kendra Baucom and Maddy Mason did the grunt work on the outside, racking up a total combined 51 kills in six sets, it was Morley continuously propelling the Kodiaks’ cardiac-quick offense throughout the afternoon inside the Louise Honnen Tutt Field House.

In Colorado Springs’ 25-23 third-set victory against Peyton (16-9), Morley (29 assists) spearheaded a 7-1 run as CSS stormed back to take a 23-21 lead with a series of sets to Baucom. She sealed the victory after issuing a pitch-perfect set to Baucom for a monster kill a point earlier.

CSS defeated Peyton for the fourth time this year (25-17, 25-22, 25-23) and lost only one set all season to the Panthers.

Peyton coach Jacqueline Goodman credited Morley’s ability to pick up on the Panthers’ tendencies all season.

“Their setter is just amazing,” Goodman said. “She knows right where to put the ball – a smart kid.”

In the Kodiaks’ win over Byers, Mason (17 kills), Baucom (10) and Jessica Eades (seven) went to work against the Bulldogs (15-10). Mason has been playing with Morley (35 assists) since middle school and credits plenty of her success to her dangerous junior teammate.

“We really connect with our setter,” Mason said.

CSS coach Kyong Lee said the Kodiaks would be unable to play such a fast-pace style of offense if not for Morley, who continuously coached her teammates and called out plays with ease and confidence.

Morley’s vision is so crucial when she is setting her hitters, and she will usually peek at the other side of the court to determine where the opposing middle blocker is positioned. It has to be an instant reaction for the Kodiaks, and Morley does it with precise simplicity.

“We really benefit on our speed,” Morley said.

Morley added that the Kodiaks’ win over Byers was the best game of the season.

“It felt like everyone was hitting real well,” Morley continued. “Our defense was really good, which I was proud of.”

Even at 5-foot-6, Morley teamed with Baucom (6-1) to form a tough blocking duo at the net.

As the celebration on the court continued between teammates, students, friends and family, Lee took a step back to take in the scene.

“I knew this team had it in them to make it,” Lee said, “and they did it.”

Hundreds of people bow their heads in prayer Saturday, November 2, 2013 before the start of a benefit rodeo for the Ellis and O’Neill families, both of Calhan, who lost daughters in separate car accidents in September. All proceeds from the rodeo will go to the families of Jae Ellis and Tiffany O’Neill. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette