COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- One month prior to last weekend's state volleyball competition, the Doherty High School (DHS) Boys Volleyball team suffered an unexpected loss: its coach of three years died.

In early April, Steve Durand, 53, passed away suddenly due to congestive heart failure. This left a very successful team without its head coach.

The Spartans competed in the Class 5A state competition last weekend. It won fifth overall, and it was the end to a long season that had the team ranked #1 in Colorado Springs going into the state finals, with a record of 15-1 in league play and 16-3 overall.

Durand, running a non-sanctioned sport, added more boys and teams during his time as coach.

Many players recently remember Durand as being an exceptional coach who balanced leadership with care and who loved to laugh. After his passing, a few students revealed that Durand had covered the cost for students to play when they needed financial assistance.

Durand had also served in the military. In 2009, he earned the Civilian of the Year award at Peterson Air Force Base.

His son, Kevin Durand, said his father loved volleyball.

After Durand's passing, Brittney Calderon took over as head coach. The team ended the season with its winning record, thanks in part to Durand's coaching and legacy.

To remember what he means to the program, the team wears special warm-up bands, break for play shouting his name, and wear warm-up shirts with his picture printed on them. They also signed a volleyball with phrases or memories of Durand.

DHS staff hopes more people will become interested in boys volleyball and that it may become sanctioned with funding in the future.

Click on the camera icon to view the story as it aired on FOX21 News.