With the first regular season rankings of 2017, Lewis Palmer once again remained #1 in 4A.  The Rangers swept Legend, Tuesday night, for back-to-back 3-0 sweeps to open the year undefeated. With an all-around team effort, the Rangers held Legend to a combined 25 points through the first two sets.  However, junior Mckenna Sciacca led the way for Lewis Palmer with two blocks, five digs, and 25 assists. Lewis Palmer travels to Grandview on Thursday for a 4A/5A matchup; the Wolves will look to rebound after dropping out of the 5A rankings following the week one loss to Ponderosa.
The Rangers also host their annual Invitational on Saturday featuring top teams from various classes. We’ll post the entire schedule later in the week.
Despite going 2-2 at the Regis Volleyball Jam last week, Holy Family stays put at number two this week. The Tigers returned to the win column Tuesday downing #7 Berthoud in four sets. After splitting the first two sets, Holy Family took the match with wins in sets three and four. They have another conference match with Roosevelt on Thursday.
#3 Cheyenne Mountain opened the season on Tuesday night and fell to 5A power Chaparral in three sets. Cayla Owen dished out 21 assists, Claire Kokot 12 and sophomore Kaelin Coe dropped in nine kills in the match. Another tough test awaits the Indians as they tangle with 5A #3 Rock Canyon Thursday night.
Pueblo West remains the only top-10 team to have yet to play a match in the 2017 season. However, the Cyclones travel to Canon City on Thursday to begin their run at a state title.
Valor Christian made a statement last week knocking off 5A #2 Chatfield. Entering the match, the Chargers had won three straight and gained some first-place votes in the most recent polls. The Eagles had a good night offensively getting 18 kills from Courtney Lane and 42 assists from Maddie Allen. Anna Davis was also a factor on the service line finishing with nine aces.
#6 Niwot made quick work of Thompson Valley Tuesday night (3-0) and avoided looking ahead to Thursday’s clash with league rival and 8th ranked Silver Creek. Niwot swept the Raptors twice last year and finished a perfect 14-0 in winning the Northern conference crown. Silver Creek is already 2-0 including a 3-1 conference win at Northridge Tuesday night. Senior Rylee Anderson banged down 19 kills giving her 36 in two matches. She also added 11 aces, nine digits to go along with 11 assists.
It’s the first of two league meetings for the top ten and local rivals. They also clash in Longmont on October 3rd.
Berthoud sits only 2-4 but a rugged schedule and tradition keeps them in the top 10 at number seven. The Spartans earned just one win in four matches at the Regis Tournament and opened conference play by falling to Holy Family in four. They look to rebound at home against Erie on Thursday night. The Tigers are 2-1 but were swept by Windsor Tuesday night.
Both Eagle Valley and Thomas Jefferson played well in the Regis Volleyball Jam Tournament with a slight edge going to Thomas Jefferson as they won the head-to-head with the Devils in the final match. The Spartans won for the third time in four tries Tuesday night in their four-set win over Discovery Canyon. Sophomore Ellie Maggio led T-J with 14 kills and classmate Bella Williams added nine.
Next up for the Spartans is another home match with Mullen on Thursday. They’re then off until the following Tuesday when they host Smoky Hill.
Eagle Valley meantime gets their Western Slope league schedule underway Thursday in hosting Rifle. Other than dates with Vail Christian and Grand Valley in October, the Devils have only conference matches left on the schedule.
After their upset of Grandview, it was surprising not to see Ponderosa enter the rankings this week. The Mustangs are only 4-3 but three of those wins are against 5A opponents and a fourth came against #7 Berthoud at the Regis Jam.
Their latest win came Tuesday night in three sets over Arapahoe as they avenged a Regis tournament loss to Arapahoe. Another quality opponent is on the schedule for Thursday as the Mustangs host Cherry Creek.
Sophomore Jordyn Miller (56 kills), junior Taylor Wiebold (51) and senior Kristen Smith (48) are a nice trio at the net. Senior Abigail Hildenbrand is the leader of the team and has dished out 215 assists with only six errors.
The entire top 10 schedule for all classes this week can be found by clicking here.  We’ll post results there throughout the week. Final scores can be sent to Colorado Preps by text to 970.380.7737, by email to [email protected] or by twitter @coloradopreps.
