Heading into Class 5A regionals, there’s a Continental League presence at the top of the field.
Top-seeded Chaparral and No. 3 Legend sit nicely heading into Saturday’s rounds that will require two victories to advance to the state tournament.
What we have here, as usual, is a top-heavy bracket with a list of favorites, although there is some depth.
The No. 1 Wolverines (21-2), who lost their opener to No. 2 Cherokee Trail and fell to Legend in a tournament, enter on a 17-match roll. Five players have at least 137 kills, topped by 6-foot-5 senior Julianna Dalton’s 225. Chaparral, state runner-up a year ago, will have to get past the Centennial’s Arapahoe (24) and the city’s Denver East (36).
Legend (20-3), which also began its season with a loss to Cherokee Trail, rolls behind Ryle Kadel’s 315 kills. The Titans have won their past eight matches. Also in their grouping are No. 22 Fruita Monument and No. 34 Greeley West.
As for Cherokee Trail (21-2), a semifinalist a year ago, its losses were to Legend and Grandview, so, yes, there has been a power struggle, a balanced one, at the top of the classification. Junior Amaya Messier has amassed 384 kills and the Cougars have won their past eight matches. They are paired with No. 23 Doherty and No. 35 ThunderRidge.
Defending state champion Valor Christian (20-2) enters at No. 4. The Eagles won 15 consecutive matches after falling to Legend on Sept. 19, then dropped one to Chaparral on Saturday. Senior Anna Davis has turned in 307 winners. No. 21 Rock Canyon and No. 33 Rocky Mountain hope to provide the competition.
No. 5 Broomfield had been undefeated before getting swept in two games by Ralston Valley in Saturday’s Palmer Ridge Tournament in Monument . The Eagles ran through the Front Range and have been boosted by the 545 assists by Kristina Consbruck. They also have the best record in the class at 22-1. Heritage (20) and Rangeview (32) have the tasks of attempting to knock down the Eagles.
Unsung Rampart, one of four teams in the field with a 21-2 record, would love to crash the Denver-metro party. The No. 6 Rams, who only have lost to Chatfield and Grandview, have had winning records in 12 of their past 13 seasons. Anjelina Starck and Riley Simpson have combined for 602 kills. Fairview (19) and Dakota Ridge (31) will be taking their shots.
Fort Collins (21-2) has won its past 13 matches and is 64-11 over three seasons. Senor Erika Kinsman has been an excavator with 269 digs for the No. 7 Lambkins. Pine Creek (18) and Bear Creek (30) complete the northern three-team field.
No. 8 Grandview may be 15-8 and coming off consecutive losing seasons, but the Wolves haven’t lost their status as a recognized power. Featuring senior Elsa Lamphere, they also tied for the Centennial league championship. Loveland (17) and Fossil Ridge (29) will test it.
Here’s where it can turn particularly interesting.
No. 9 Windsor (17-6) actually won a 4A league, the Tri-Valley, with an 8-0 sweep. Plus, the Wizards have an icon as a coach, Laverne Huston. Junior Kaylie Phelps heads four Wizards who have broken into triple figures in kills. They will have to deal with an improved (No. 16) Horizon (18-5), which was 0-22 in 2015 and has equaled the past season’s victory total, and No. 28 Highlands Ranch, which is attempting to keep a string of winning seasons going under longtime coach Louis Krauss.
Tenth-seeded Ralston Valley (18-5), third in Jefferson County, will need the help of junior hitter Brianna Fay and others to fend off a game Castle View (No. 15 and 14-8) as well as No. 27 Columbine.
Eaglecrest grabbed a share of the Centennial crown along with the No. 11 seed and a 20-6 mark. Since winning back-to-back titles from 2006-07, the Raptors and head coach Tanya Bond have only had one losing record. Seniors Aubrey Black and Gabby Vogt are the Raptors’ big hitters. No. 14 Mountain Vista awaits as does No. 26 Lakewood.
By nabbing the final host spot at No. 12, Chatfield (16-7) and 6-foot junior Ella Tschuor (team-leading 205 kills) also may have the most-balanced and competitive regional. Ever-present and 13th-seeded Cherry Creek (16-7), tutored for decades by coach Sally Moos, and Aurora’s Vista PEAK Prep (25th and 18-5) , intent on establishing East Metro Athletic Conference power, should make for some fun.
