Bartalo leads Lewis Palmer towards three-peat

Winning one championship could be considered lucky.

Two – perhaps skill is involved.

But three in a row is the stuff dynasty’s are made of.

Lewis Palmer’s volleyball team has a shot at the three-peat this year, thanks in part to a junior captain with quite the legacy.

“There’s been such a storied tradition of success in our program,” said head coach Susan Odenbaugh. “These girls come in want to maintain that legacy and work hard.”

For Lydia Bartalo, maintaining that legacy is as easy as signing her name.

Her sisters Hannah and Abby helped lead the Rangers to their four total state championship titles.

Now Lydia is picking up the torch.

“[They were] able to ease me into it and just teach me the ropes of high school,” says Lydia Bartalo. “[They taught me] what Lewis Palmer volleyball really is.”

Legacy is sort of a buzz word in the sports community, but as Lewis Palmer seeks their third title in just three years, the Bartalo family seemingly knows how to bring home the hardware.

In hopes of maintaining their winning ways, Coach Odenbaugh established this motto:

“Success comes from unity, and trust, and passion,” she said.

In Odenbaugh’s 14 years as head coach – they’ve had plenty of success, which she credits to stressing the “team” mentality.

“It’s not just one person being the main person and everyone has their own specific role,” said Bartalo. “We all just have to play together or else we’re not successful”

The top ranked Rangers continued their quest for a third championship on Thursday against Cheyenne Mountain.