The Troy Trojan volleyball dynasty is flourishing with three-peat state title

Nov. 1—Troy volleyball has been a consistent flagship program in area high school sports for decades — but heading into this fall season, the Trojans had not managed the rare feat of stringing together three consecutive state titles since the late 1990s.

It was thus a special moment, even for a team accustomed to success, when Troy completed a hat trick of Idaho Class 1A Division I championship runs with a five-set victory over the Grace Grizzlies at Lewis-Clark State's P1FCU Activity Center on Saturday.

A hard-won three-peat

Troy's last loss at State came in 2020 against Grace, which has become its top postseason rival over the past several years. The Trojans bounced back with a dizzying level of dominance as they swept to the '21 championship without dropping a set, while their '22 run featured a four-set rematch with Grace and a brutal five-setter with Murtaugh.

This year found them conquering adversity as they fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit against the Grizzlies to prevail 25-18, 18-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-11 in the title-clinching match of the true double-elimination bracket.

"I feel like we were definitely matched up very well with (Grace) as far as talent goes," Trojans coach Deborah Blazzard said. "This season, we have really been working on just mental toughness. I think that, ultimately, is what made the difference."

The experienced senior class of Dericka Morgan, Jolee Ecklund, Bethany Phillis, Olivia Tyler, Alaura Hawley and Alexa Woolverton was central to the effort. Morgan is this week's Prep Athlete of the Week.

A true dynasty

This was not only the team's third straight state victory, but its fifth in six seasons and 14th from the last 24.

The Trojans' status as a perennial juggernaut of the division traces back to the tenure of Bobbi Hazeltine, who oversaw four consecutive state titles in 1995-98. Hazeltine moved on to coach at Walla Walla Community College, but the program's momentum continued, with additional championships following in '99, '02, '03, '11, '16, '18 and '19 before the current three-year stretch.

Blazzard, who moved to Troy around 12 years ago, has headed up the program for the last eight seasons and six titles.

"When I was able to take over, I just had a ton of good athletes who had already been taught their fundamentals coming into the program," she said. "I think it's just such a tradition that I kind of reaped the benefits."

Blazzard also supplied a powerhouse in the form of her daughter Morgan, who took part in three triumphant state championship runs — finishing with the tour de force in '21 — and now plays for Eastern Washington University.

"The great thing about Troy, and just the tradition they have, is they get to see these older players that kind of mirror some of the things they're doing," Blazzard said. "I believe when Morgan (Blazzard) was a senior, Dericka (Morgan) was a sophomore, so she got to see some of the attributes of a good captain."

Passing the torch

Among the returning talent looking to replace this year's impressive graduating class is 5-foot-11 Tessa Stoner — daughter of former Trojan coach Tera Stoner — who made postseason contributions like a match-clinching block in the district final against Kamiah, and who will be a sophomore next season. Libero Laura House, defensive specialist Nicole Hunter, middle blocker Teagan Gale and setter Ashlyn Strunk are also set to help carry on the Troy legacy next season.

Perhaps more than anything else, Blazzard attributes the high school team's ongoing success to the community's thriving elementary and middle school youth program.

"There's a U12 club team that starts in January, so I'll be off for just a little bit, and then we'll start right back up teaching the littles about the fundamentals of volleyball," she said. "How to pass, set, serve. I think that's been helpful, so we don't have to really just start when the season starts. That makes it easier for me as a coach; we can really jump into the nuts and bolts of volleyball by the time I get them (in high school)."

Whether or not a fourth consecutive state title turns out to be in the cards, Blazzard has a glowing appraisal of the ongoing prospects of Troy volleyball for years to come.

"I'm super-grateful to be a part of this community," she said. "They show so much support with Troy volleyball and the tradition that we have. I think that filters down with the kids, and even when they're young, they're excited to come play."