The bulk of non-conference testing is being completed and volleyball schedules are starting to transition towards exclusive conference play. However, this week did start with a feature attraction on the marquee that showed off a non-league meeting on the East side of downtown Denver between a couple of Top 10 squads.
 
Monday, September 17:  #9 Denver East beat #10 Chatfield 3-2
Coming off a strong second place performance at the Eaglecrest Tournament over the weekend, Denver East moved into the rankings for the first time this season.  They continued their recent hot stretch by outlasting the Chargers in five sets Monday night.  The Angels also survived a slow start (down 0-2) to win the final three sets in dominating fashion for the win.
The win pushed East to 8-3 overall and they return to the court on Thursday against Boulder.  Still on the schedule for the month is a date with powerful Valor Christian on the 29th.
For Chatfield, the loss was their third straight and dropped them to five hundred for the season (3-3).  The Chargers are off the rest of the week to prep for the start of league play against Dakota Ridge on the 25th.
 
Monday, September 17:  #8 Cherry Creek over Mullen 3-1
A wild fourth set pushed Cherry Creek past Mullen (3-1) in the Centennial league opener for both teams on Monday.  Game four went to the Bruins 31-29 as they overcame a loss in the first game to take the conference battle.  Katie Sherman, with 15 kills, lead three players in double figures in that category.  Cali Clark and Katherine Von Kraut each added 11.
Sherman also tallied three aces as the Bruins recorded 11 overall.  Molly Chapman provided a team best 15 diggs defensively and Emily Ettel handed out 32 assists.
Creek has now won six straight and puts that streak on the line Thursday at home against Grandview.  The tradition rich Wolves are just 2-8 on the season but opened Centennial league play with three-game sweep of Arapahoe.
Mullen dropped to 7-3 on the season and their rugged early stretch in the Centennial continues on Thursday against 6th ranked Eaglecrest.
 
Tuesday, September 18:  #3 Fossil Ridge at Rocky Mountain
After dropping their season-opener, Fossil Ridge (8-1, 2-0) has earned a string of eight consecutive wins — three of those over current Top 10 squads. The SaberCats took top honors at the annual Eaglecrest tournament over the weekend.
The last time Fossil lost a Front Range league match play was 362 days ago versus Rocky Mountain (6-2, 1-0). The Lobos are following up a 3-1 finish at the Cherry Creek Invitational this past weekend.
 
Tuesday, September 18:  Highlands Ranch at #7 Castle View
The reigning Class 5A champions started Continental league play last week with four-set wins over Legend and Heritage.
It was 2014 when the Castle View (7-2, 2-0) volleyball program last earned a victory over Highlands Ranch (5-5, 2-0).
The Falcons — who have college-caliber talent leading that roster — also have begun the conference march through the Continental with victories over Douglas County and Regis last week.
 
Thursday, September 20:  Horizon at Loveland
These are two programs that may give the Big Three some problems during the course of Front Range conference play. Plus, this match-up just kind of hints that it could serve above-average entertainment value on the court.
Loveland (4-1, 3-0) has banked 18 or more victories the previous three seasons and are off to a modestly successful start to 2018.
Meanwhile, a noticeable amount of Hawks returnees with varsity experience have led Horizon (8-2, 2-1) to a confident beginning this season.
 
Other notable matches on the blip screen:
Tuesday, September 18:  Windsor at #9 Mead (4A)
Thursday, September 20:  #1 Lewis-Palmer (4A) at Rampart
Thursday, September 20:  Legend Titans at #5 Valor Christian Eagles
Thursday, September 20:  #7 CastleView at ThunderRidge