We do not know everything yet, but we have a lot of the right information.
Excluding some unexpected weirdness, the competitive Front Range and the Centennial leagues have revealed their champs and have transitioned into positioning for regional seedings. Jeffco is working in the same mode. The powerful Continental is staging during an idle week before its two-week finale of final decisions. East is a different volleyball breed than their old-school city rivals, but it is historically responsible and mandatory they trade swings with South and T.J. and some of that gets done this week.
Meanwhile, a defining moment is happenin’ on the Western Slope and in the East Metro while the big school Springs squads are just getting started. Those three leagues dominate our attention in week eight of Class 5A volleyball.
 
Tuesday, October 9: Fruita Monument Wildcats at Montrose Indians (4A)                                            
They have four to play on their league schedule, yet it is not unrealistic to imply this match will determine whether or not Fruita Monument (10-2, 4-0) goes undefeated in Southwestern League play for a second consecutive season.
This is also a quality victory opportunity for a Wildcats program seeking one of the twelve regional host seeds. The most recent true seed projections by Colorado Preps Network have Fruita hosting as an overall 10-seed in Class 5A.
Teams play twice in the Southwestern. On November 11th, Fruita Monument won the first meeting with Montrose (10-5, 4-1) in four sets.
 
Tuesday, October 9: Prairie View Thunderhawks at Brighton Bulldogs (10-4, 5-0)
The timing may vary, but it always seems to come down to which one of three — or two or all three — claim the East Metro League volleyball title.
This match is likely the definitive hurdle for Brighton (10-4, 5-0) — a team that has put itself in position as the only one of the three front-runners that can complete league play unblemished and alone on top of the final standings. The Bulldogs finished second to Rangeview in 2017 and 2016. They just beat the Raiders in five sets on September 20.
Prairie View (15-3, 5-1) was swept by Rangeview on September 27. However, the Thunderhawks can earn the possibility of a three-way tie for the league title by winning this match.
The three squads shared the league championship in 2015 and 2014
 
Tuesday, October 9: Pine Creek Eagles at Doherty Spartans
Thursday, October 11: Rampart Rams at Pine Creek Eagles  
Pine Creek (5-9, 1-0) is a couple seasons past a run to the Denver Coliseum — which the Eagles have accomplished three times this decade. In 2018, their resume and the current projections hint they could be playing for one of the 36 invites to regional play. But Pine Creek could impact the expectations within the Colorado Springs Metro League this week.
Credible assumptions point to Doherty (9-4, 2-0) and Rampart (10-4, 2-0) deciding the league championship against each other on October 18. Each has to respect Pine Creek this week before they go looking nine days ahead on the agenda.
Additionally, the Spartans and Rams might have an opportunity to snag a regional host bid. Even one loss in league play this year would likely eliminate that thought.
 
Wednesday, October 10: Lakewood Tigers at Chatfield Chargers     
This is about big picture positioning.
Each has already lost to #2 Valor — who will claim the Jeffco (5A) title unless their bus breaks down for two weeks.
These two squads are part of a competitive group that will eventually shake out who finishes second, third, fourth, and fifth in their final league standings.
Chatfield (9-5, 3-1) — who is the only Jeffco squad to win a set against Valor this season — remains in a position to earn a host seed if the Chargers can march through the rest of their schedule without flaws.
The current math projects Lakewood (7-8, 4-1) earning one of the final 12 postseason berths. The Tigers’ last victory in this series was in 2013.
 
Tuesday, October 9: Chatfield (9-5, 3-1) at Bear Creek (10-4, 3-2)
Tuesday, October 9: Loveland (11-3, 6-1) at Monarch (9-4, 5-2)
Tuesday, October 9: #3 Fossil Ridge (14-1, 8-0) at Horizon (14-4, 4-3)
Tuesday, October 9: #9 Windsor (10-3, 6-0) at Frederick (4A)(13-2, 4-1)
Tuesday, October 9: Grandview (5-10, 4-2) at #5 Cherokee Trail (12-3, 5-1)                                        
Tuesday, October 9: #8 Denver East (10-4, 1-0) at Denver South (6-7, 2-0)                                         
Thursday, October 11: #7 Holy Family (4A)(9-4, 5-0) at #9 Windsor (10-3, 6-0)
Thursday, October 11: Horizon (14-4, 4-3) at Rocky Mountain (10-4, 5-2)
Thursday, October 11: #6 Fort Collins (12-2, 7-1) at Monarch (9-4, 5-2)
Thursday, October 11: Bear Creek (10-4, 3-2) at #8 Evergreen (4A)(12-3, 7-0)         
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