Two weeks are left in the 2A volleyball season but most of the league champions have already been crowned or will be this week. Much of the final week schedule involves non-league contests or tournament play.
We look at each conference and breakdown the top teams and also preview the top matches. Plus we provide the top 24 in RPI entering the week.
LEAGUE BREAKDOWN
- Black Forest: Simla (5-1) took control of the race by beating Fountain Valley last week. The Cubs must still beat Calhan on Friday to clinch the league championship. They also head to Fowler for a good non-conference test on Tuesday.
- Santa Fe: Still plenty of scenarios here as Swink (9-1) has a one game edge on Fowler (10-2) with Rye and Rocky Ford (both 9-3) two games back. Swink still has a match with Rocky Ford this week (Thursday) and Fowler next week (29th) left their schedule.
- San Juan: Dolores (10-0) leads Telluride and Dove Creek by one game in the chase. They’ve already beaten Dove Creek and will face the Miners on the road this Saturday. A win there secures the league title.
- Lower Platte: 1A Merino (8-0) has clinched the league championship but second place is still up for grabs. Yuma and Wiggins (both 5-2) share the spot but the Indians have the inside track based on their five-set win over the Tigers last week. Yuma clinches second by beating Wray on Tuesday. A loss gives Wiggins a chance to get there with a win over Holyoke on Friday.
- Mile High: By far the most attractive match on the docket this week involves Denver Christian at Union Colony Prep on Thursday. The teams are ranked 1-2 in the coaches poll and are first and third in the latest RPI so the winner could end up with the top overall playoff seed. Denver Christian also has a date with Dawson on Tuesday and that outcome could help impact third. Dawson is tied with Highland at 8-2 but the Huskies have the head-to-head win.
- Southern Peaks: Del Norte (1 loss) has clinched the league title as their conference schedule is complete. Sanford and Sargent share second place and will determine that spot and third when they collide in Sanford on Saturday.
- Union Pacific: Limon has clinched the championship (5-0) and will finish the league slate at Byers on THursday. Genoa Hugo (1A) has wrapped up second as their league schedule is complete. Flagler/Hi Plains and Stratton/Liberty each have two league losses and will meet on Thursday to determine third.
Soroco currently sits in a third place tie with Vail Christian in the Western Slope. Staying there will be difficult as they close with first place Meeker and second place West Grand this week. PHOTO BY SOROCO SCHOOLS
- Western Slope: Meeker (10-0) finishes up the conference slate against DeBeque (Tuesday) and Soroco (Saturday). A win in either gives the Cowboys the crown and top seed for next week’s league tournament. West Grand (9-1) has a two game edge on Vail Christian and Soroco (7-3) for second and clinches the runner-up spot by beating either the Rams on Friday or Paonia on Saturday. Both matches are on the road. Vail Christian is in great shape for third due to Soroco’s tough closing streak and a win over the Rams earlier this season.
TOP MATCHES
- Tuesday – Simla at Fowler: A very good non-league pairing for both teams as they prep for the fast approaching post-season. Fowler still has to focus on the Santa Fe chase where they sit one game back of Swink for the title. The Cubs are the likely Black Forest champion and they’re hoping for a better showing than the 3-0 loss to Limon last week. RPI wise, Fowler is #4 and Simla #9 so both have a great chance to host a regional tournament.
- Thursday – Denver Christian at Union Colony Prep: The Thunder have been ranked number one all season and enter the week 17-0 without dropping a single set. They also go to Dawson on Tuesday but regardless of the outcome there, this one is for the Mile High championship. Union Colony Prep is 16-1 with a loss to Wiggins. They dropped three sets there and another to Briggsdale in the season opener but have otherwise swept the season. As mentioned, RPI is also a factor as Denver Christian is first and Union Colony third entering the week.
- Friday – West Grand at Soroco: West Grand locks up second behind Meeker in the Western Slope while the Rams are still battling Vail Christian for third. For the Rams to get third, three things must happen. They must first win this match, then beat Meeker on Saturday and have Vail Christian drop at least one match.
- Saturday – Meeker at Soroco: Based on results from Friday, this match may become meaningless. If Meeker beats DeBeque earlier in this week, they would already be crowned conference champions. And Soroco could not climb out of fourth place if they fall to West Grand on Friday.
- Saturday – Dolores at Telluride: This game could be for the San Juan championship but the scenario could change based on results earlier in the week. Telluride must beat 1A Dove Creek on Tuesday to stay within a game of the Bears. If they fall there, Dolores can clinch the championship by beating Ignacio on the road Tuesday. If both teams win, then Dolores would have clinched a tie for the title based on an earlier win over the Miners. Telluride would then share the crown by beating the Bears.
- Saturday – Sanford at Sargent: With Del Norte already locking up the league title, this one will determine second and third in the Southern Peaks. Sargent won the first meeting 3-1 on October 11th.
RPI STANDINGS (Top 36 entering the week)
The top 12 teams at seasons’ end will host a regionals and the top 36 teams qualify for regionals.
- Denver Christian
- Limon
- Union Colony Prep
- Fowler
- Meeker
- Wiggins
- West Grand
- Rye
- Simla
- Sedgwick County
- Swink
- Highland
- Rocky Ford
- Fountain Valley
- Dolores
- Yuma
- Telluride
- Dawson
- Hoehne
- Holyoke
- Del Norte
- Vail Mountain
- Clear Creek
- Akron
- Sanford
- John Mall
- Plateau Valley
- Soroco
- Peyton
- Dayspring Christian
- Vail Christian
- Heritage Christian
- Gilpin County
- Ignacio
- Sargent
- Calhan
