Thanks in large part to Chappell’s efforts in Cortez on Oct. 21, the M-CHS volleyball team defeated Durango for the first time since 2008 and in doing so, improved its record to 13-8 on the season.
“I feel like (our season) is going really good,” said the junior. “Our team definitely has a different dynamic. We’ve worked a lot on working together to be the best that we can be.”
A three-year varsity player, Chappell is enjoying her best season to date, amassing 524 assists, 156 digs, 40 aces, 40 kills and nine blocks. In addition to her gaudy stats, the M-CHS setter has also emerged as one of the Panthers vocal leaders.
“I feel like I’ve reached a level that I’ve been striving for,” Chappell said. “I keep trying to improve my individual skills so I can hopefully be recruited.”
One of M-CHS’s most diligent workers, Chappell spent last summer playing for the Four Corners Volleyball Club, which is based in Durango. Chappell also participated in camps at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado School of Mines, Adams State University and Utah Valley University.
When not honing her volleyball skills, Chappell suits up for the M-CHS tennis team as a No. 2 doubles player. While the junior admitted that tennis is not her No. 1 sport, she said that she enjoys playing nonetheless.
“It’s nice because I get to relax,” said Chappell. “(Playing tennis) is kind of a no pressure situation and I get to have fun.”
In the classroom, Chappell has distinguished herself as one of M-CHS’s finest students and currently carries a 4.0 GPA. Especially fond of chemistry and math, Chappell said that she hopes to attend Colorado School of Mines after graduation and pursue a degree in Engineering.
The M-CHS standout emphasized that she hopes to continue her volleyball career at the college level.
“I recently went on a visit to (Colorado School of Mines),” Chappell said. “I got to spend time with the team and it was really great. I definitely want to play volleyball after high school.”
While a successful college volleyball career is never guaranteed, it appears that M-CHS’s junior setter is on the way to accomplishing her goal.