There have been some exciting matches already played in Class 5A volleyball this week but the lone remaining top 10 clash is set for Thursday night as #2 Chatfield faces #10 Denver East. Both teams are coming off their initial loss of the season so each is looking for a nice bounce back. Chatfield was knocked off in three sets by 4A power Valor Christian Tuesday night and Denver East came up short to Cherokee Trail in four sets the very same night.
Many of the other ranked clubs are getting back to normal schedules after taking part in the popular Regis Volleyball Jam over the weekend. Castle View is one team that took full advantage of that tournament as wins over Berthoud, Holy Family and Chaparral pushed the Sabercats from outside the rankings in the pre-season to fourth this week.
The Sabercats missed out on a perfect run through the tournament by falling to St Teresa MO in their final match.  That loss though has been just a blip as the Sabercats have rebounded with three-game sweeps of Fountain Fort Carson and Bear Creek already this week. Now off the rest of the week, they have time to prep for a big date with #2 Chatfield on the 12th.
A veteran club, the Sabercats have gotten strong play at the net from the senior trio of Kate Menz (66 kills), Laney Hershiser (53) and Ashley Echols (53).
#3 Rock Canyon also put together a strong showing at the Regis tournament matching Castle View with a 3-1 record and a lone loss to St Teresa. The Jaguars took out Fruita Monument and Fort Collins early and were forced to five sets in a win over 4A #2 Holy Family. Keeley Davis, expected to be one of the top hitters statewide this year, set a new career best with 34 kills in the win. Her previous best was 23. On the season, Davis is averaging six kills per set and easily leads the team with 144 kills.
Despite the loss to Rock Canyon, Fort Collins also made a major move in the rankings this week climbing to sixth this week. Wins over Fairview and Chaparral in week one also helped their cause. 2nd year coach Jared Rudiger rebuilt the Platte Valley program (3A); leading the Broncos to several state tournament appearances and appears to be doing the same in Fort Collins. In year one, the Lambkins went 18-7 and lost out on a state visit with a regional loss to Arapahoe.
Sophomores Hannah Serbousek (13 kills) and Ella Steemsa (10) led the way against Chaparral. The win was a huge confidence boost for a young team as they rallied from two sets down to upset the tradition rich Wolverines. The Lambkins only match this week resulted in a quick 3-0 win over Prairie View.
Chaparral, ranked 8th, moved back to five hundred (3-3) with a very impressive three-game sweep of 4A #3 Cheyenne Mountain Tuesday night. Grace Haberland led the way with 11 kills and Hannah Ammerman and Julianna Dalton both registered seven. The Wolverines also got six aces from Haley Roberts.
The Wolverines overall record is a bit deceiving. All three of their losses are against teams ranked ahead of them this week. We mentioned the Fort Collins and Castle View decisions. The third loss came early against defending state champion Fossil Ridge.
Next up for the Wolverines is a good test with Arapahoe on Thursday. The Warriors were ranked in the pre-season but a 2-4 start has left them outside the polls this week. Each of their last two matches have been against Ponderosa. They beat the Mustangs 3-1 in the Regis Tournament as Gwynne Haskins picked up 11 kills and Lily Miller nine. The duo was limited to just seven kills on Tuesday in a 3-0 loss.
Mountain Vista (5th) and Highlands Ranch (9th) are two other Continental league teams included in the rankings this week. Mountain Vista, which has beaten Cherry Creek and Coronado, is off this week. The Falcons have an impressive record (6-0) but have not beaten a team in the rankings this season. That changes next week when they face Valor Christian from Class 4A.
Kelsie Milkowsi (71 kills) and Cassie Davis (58) have been the top two offensive threats for the Falcons. Together they seek a seventh straight win against Westminster on Thursday.
#7 Cherry Creek has just one match scheduled this week and it’s Thursday against Ponderosa. It will be the first court-time for the Bruins since outlasting Valor Christian in five sets back on August 31st. Katie Sherman hit 21 kills in the win and Maya Borenstein chipped in eight.
Fossil Ridge is off this week but their schedule gathers steam next week. The defending champs go to Monarch on Tuesday, to Loveland on Wednesday and then takes part in the rugged Eaglecrest Tournament on the 15th and 16th.
