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Merino rallies to win 1A girls volleyball state championship

The Rams fought off a 0-2 deficit to defeat Fleming in the Class 1A girls volleyball championship match.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The odds were slim to none.

Merino was facing a 0-2 deficit to the defending champions in the Class 1A girls volleyball state title match -- but the Rams didn't care about the odds.

With their backs against the wall, they rallied for a 3-2 (15-25, 16-25, 25-11, 25-18, 15-9) victory over Fleming to claim the 1A state title at the Broadmoor World Arena on Thursday night.

"I feel like we don't get our name out a lot," Amanda Thorpe told 9NEWS after the match. "So to be a state champion, it just feels so good to be a part of it."

The 2021 championship adds to a storied history for Merino girls volleyball, their 11th in program history. The Rams, however, hadn't brought home a championship since 2001.

Merino finishes the season with a 17-2 overall record, which includes rattling off a 17-match winning streak after dropping its first two matches to begin their campaign.

The Rams, who were the No. 3 seed in the playoff bracket, defeated No. 6 Briggsdale and No. 7 Sangre de Cristo to advance to the title match.

Fleming, which was in search of its eighth state title, finishes 2021 at 15-3 overall.

>> Watch the extended video above and see highlights on the 9NEWS Prep Rally this weekend!  

RELATED: CHSAA moves volleyball state tournament to Colorado Springs

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RELATED: Fleming claims 1A state volleyball championship

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