Senior co-captain Chloe Crider and the rest of the powerhouse Eaton girls volleyball team came into this season determined to leave nothing in their rearview mirrors while maintaining uncompromisable focus on the path that lies ahead.
That team mantra was on full display Tuesday during a critical fourth set that hardly resembled the two sets that came before.
Being on the brink of defeat didn’t faze the Reds’ senior-led, battle-tested girls squad in the least on its rival’s home court. Despite suffering what could have been crippling losses in the second and third sets, Eaton walked away with a dramatic five-set victory against fellow state title contender University.
In front of a packed house, the Reds won 25-12, 21-25, 23-25, 25-7, 15-8 to secure their 10th consecutive win and improve to 10-1 overall, 5-0 in Class 4A/3A/2A Patriot League play.
Eaton senior outside hitter Chloe Crider reacts to a volley during the Reds' victory over the University Bulldogs on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, Greeley. (Joseph Sykes/For the Greeley Tribune)“It just shows that we are here to win, and we’re going to push through no matter how much it takes,” said Crider, who had seven kills, three aces and a team-high 14 digs. “Our quote this year is, ‘Burn the boats.’ That means, leave nothing behind. This proves we’re living up to that.”
While Eaton’s near season-long win streak roared on, the Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 7-1, 4-1.
University — ranked seventh in 4A by CHSAANow.com — provided Eaton, the second-ranked team in 3A, its first true challenge since the Reds lost their season opener, 3-0, to 4A contender Windsor on Aug. 26.
Eaton entered Tuesday’s match having won nine consecutive matches, including eight sweeps, since that season-opening loss.
Eaton girls volleyball coach Matt Meagher looks on during the Reds' victory over the the University Bulldogs on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Greeley. (Joseph Sykes/For the Greeley Tribune)“We’ve been playing very, very well, but we hadn’t been challenged in a few weeks,” Reds coach Matt Meagher said. “So, to come in against a team like this, an archrival — be down and be able to come back — I’m just so happy with what they did. They showed the grit that we needed. This was a postseason type of game. This was a state tournament type of game.”
After Eaton charged out the gates with a wire-to-wire win in the first set, University’s strong squad buckled down with hard-fought wins in the second and third sets to pull within one set of snapping a four-match losing streak against its most heated rival.
Facing a predicament in which most teams might buckle, the Reds did anything but that.
University sophomore setter Kenley Rudiger looks on after making a defensive play during a match against the Eaton Reds on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Greeley. (Joseph Sykes/For the Greeley Tribune)Trailing 2-1 in the match, Eaton completely dominated the fourth set before largely controlling the fifth and final set.
“When they play with a swagger, they’re a really tough group,” Meagher said. “That’s what I told them going into that fourth set, ‘Hey, get your swagger back, and let’s go get this game.'”
While the Reds made a loud statement to the hundreds and hundreds of onlookers Tuesday, senior co-captain Madi Smith she and her teammates also proved plenty to themselves.
Eaton senior outside hitter Chloe Crider serves the ball during the Reds' victory over the University Bulldogs on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Greeley. (Joseph Sykes/For the Greeley Tribune)Before Tuesday’s match, the Reds had played in only one four-set affair and no five-set matches this season.
While there is no question that Eaton has the talent to put an opponent away quickly, it takes a special type of mettle to secure a grind-it-out five-set affair, especially when battling back from the brink of defeat.
“We hadn’t really developed that yet, but we did tonight,” said Smith, who had a team-high 12 kills to go with three aces. “Although we have a lot of seniors, this is not the same team as it was last year. We really grew tonight. I’m super proud of this team.”
Hence then, the article about eaton displays experience mettle in comeback win against university was published today ( ) and is available on GreeleyTribune ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Eaton displays experience, mettle in comeback win against University )
Also on site :