DENVER – The Colorado Springs Christian volleyball team often walks below its competition. With only one player listed above six feet, the rest of its roster shrinks below 5-8.

It’s become something of a badge of honor for the Lions.

“We don’t have the size of other teams so we have to pass well and make smart shots,” said hitter Jamie Nielson, listed at a generous 6-foot-1 on the CSCS MaxPreps volleyball page. “We don’t hit showy shots like some other teams. We go for whatever shot will help us get the point.”

Friday, their lack of size was startling next to programs stocked with 6-footers at the state volleyball tournament. Even more so, though, was their dominance.

A full-fledged attack led No. 4 CSCS (23-4) to straight-set wins against league rival St. Mary’s (18-8) and Lutheran (21-5) in 3A pool play at the Denver Coliseum. The Lions will face Eaton in a 2014 semifinals rematch on Saturday.

CSCS and its 12 returning players hope this isn’t another season cut . well, short.

“We’ve been coming together the last couple of weeks and playing our best,” said coach Lori Currier, whose team was swept 3-0 by Eaton last year. “They’re talking to each other, covering their positions and not letting anything drop.”

Abby Skrastins, 5-6 and the self-proclaimed second-tallest girl on the team, led the Lions with 20 kills and seven digs in a 25-15, 25-17, 25-14 win over No. 9 St. Mary’s in their first game. And she had another 17 kills and 11 digs in a 25-13, 25-18, 26-24 win over fifth-seeded Lutheran in the second game.

In a wild third set in game two, Skrastins’ powerful kill staved off the first set point for Lutheran to make it 24-23. And after that, Nielson, who had four aces in the second game, precisely placed three consecutive serves to help finish off a 4-0 run to clinch a spot in Saturday’s semifinals.

Their road, so far, has been something of a surprise.

“I think we expected a comeback from St. Mary’s because they had blood out for us,” said Nielson, whose team also swept the Pirates earlier in the season. “And we had never seen Lutheran so we didn’t know if they were a hard or easy seed.”

On Saturday, the Lions (23-4) will try to win their first state title since 2009, when they won their sixth straight championship. It would shock most if they could.

“I don’t people think we’re as good as we are,” Skrastins said.

“They probably underestimate us based on our height,” Nielson snickered.