The Shelton volleyball team experienced a few heartbreaks the past few years at the state volleyball tournament. There would be no heartbreak for the Bulldogs during this year’s state tournament. Shelton went through the state tournament in clean fashion, sweeping all three opponents during its run to the school’s first-ever state title.
It was those heartbreaks in the past that kept the Bulldogs motivated to work hard during the offseason. During her freshman year, Jalyn Branson was a part of Shelton’s team that lost 19-17 in the fifth set to eventual champion Howells-Dodge in the state semifinals. One year later, the Bulldogs fell in four sets to runner-up Cambridge in the opening round.
“It was kind of our grit and determination that helped us get here,” Branson said. “We wanted to win.” Erin Gegg said the loss in 2022 was more painful for a few reasons.
“Our freshman year, there were a lot of sisters, a lot of family on that team,’’ Gegg said. “To watch our older sisters come up short, we knew we had to finish it.” Shelton coach Misti Potter said she felt the Bulldogs had potential to be great in 2024 after last year’s loss to Cambridge.
“When we lost that game last year, I knew there was more potential than they showed,” Potter said. “They came in and worked hard during the summer and worked hard in the weight room, and during camps. That match last year was not our best effort.
I just felt there was so much more potential.” Shelton’s .