After four years of starting for the Skyview Wolverines volleyball team, racking up state-topping accolades, league MVPs and no shortage of big wins, one senior was handpicked to be honored by the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports (CCGS).
On Nov. 19 at Fossil Ridge High School, several athletes from all classifications will be honored in the annual CCGS All-State volleyball games. CCGS began sponsoring an all-state volleyball game in 1970 to provide girls a showcase for their talent and recognize them for their success on and off the court.
According to a release, each senior athlete is nominated by coaches in her league, while coaches representing all the leagues make the final selection of 90, with 18 athletes for each class in the state of Colorado. Players are chosen based on talent, dedication, team play and leadership.
Skyview High School’s Marcela Calderon was selected after a dominant senior season.
“I didn’t know I’d be selected until the day before when my mom (Head Coach Rosie Calderon) told me she was going to the meeting,” Calderon said. “I don’t want to say I’m surprised I got selected, but there’s a lot of talent in Colorado. So I was very honored.”
Though Skyview finished 11-14 overall, the Wolverines dominated the 4A Colorado League with a 9-0 record. As a libero (back row defensive specialist) for the Wolverines, Calderon was named back-to-back MVP in the league for 2022 and 2023.
In the 2023 season, Calderon is fourth in total digs – with 599 in the state of Colorado across all classes – and second in 4A. Her 83 total aces place her second in the 4A class as well. Calderon is first in total digs and first in aces in the 4A Colorado League.
Calderon has played in 261 total sets, with 1,690 total digs, 1,242 serve receptions, 233 aces and 254 kills in her career. But her success is not exclusive to the volleyball court; Calderon was named a first-team academic all-state selection for her 4.0 GPA.
“I would say I rely on (balancing school and volleyball),” Calderon said. “I have such big goals for volleyball that I held myself to a high level academically because I knew that was just another thing to add to my resume. There were times when it was a struggle, like during club volleyball season when I’m traveling a lot and missing class. But it also just made me hold myself more accountable.”
Being the coach’s daughter was a challenge because she’s expected to prove twice as much.
You have to battle the “she’s only the coach’s daughter” talk with the higher standard the coach actually puts on her child, Calderon said.
“It built me into a stronger person,” she said. “It made me have to mature and just kind of learn to play my game because being a coach’s kid, there’s a lot of adversity that comes with it. I’ve learned to battle that with my skill and show what I can do. It was tough, but I’m grateful for it. It’s built me into a better person and better player.”
In 2022, both Calderon and her mother won the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year for the All-Colorado League Girls Volleyball Teams.
Calderon will enjoy the rest of her senior year, but she’s pivoting her attention to her future as well. While currently uncommitted, she’s in discussions with a few different universities and said a commitment is coming soon.
Despite her recent accolades and success on the court, Calderon said her favorite volleyball memory was playing with her two older sisters, all-state honorable mentions Jasmynn and Joselynn Calderon, when she was the only freshman on the team a few seasons ago.
But now Calderon has put her own stamp on the Skyview volleyball program and said she’s going to be a Wolverine forever.
“Marcela is an amazing player and a great young lady,” Rosie Calderon said on her daughter. “She works hard all year long and it shows every time she steps on the court. I’m so proud of her for being selected for the All-state games and to have had her as part of our team these past four years. Our team and I are truly going to miss her presence in the gym and on the court now that she’s graduating.”