A few matches have been played to give us a sampling of Class 5A Volleyball. And now this week begins the full reveal for 2018 with attractive non-conference schedules being activated for all projected contenders. Plus, the Labor Day weekend concludes with the annual Regis Jam tournament that traditionally draws elites on the courts and eyeballs around the Colorado volleyball community.
First, the monster-sized match blinking brightly at the top of the weekly marquee:
 
Tuesday, August 28                         #2 Chaparral Wolverines at #1 Fossil Ridge Sabercats
This will be the regular season debut for a Fossil Ridge (0-0, 0-0) squad stacked with impact returnees. Chaparral (2-0, 0-0) will travel North with two non-conference victories over well-respected Centennial league teams — four-set wins over both 4th-ranked Cherokee Trail and Grandview.
If you’re a volleyball fanatic, you know this is an event with undeniable selling points. Nine college commits and/or signees will be on the court for a pair of programs that have collected a combined three state championships this decade.
Watch the @StreamItSports live broadcast here on the @asbnsports free platform: bit.ly/2MDC3zX
 
 
Tuesday, August 28                         #9 Cherry Creek Bruins at Mountain Vista Golden Eagles
A pair of 20-plus win, tournament teams from 2017 that were ranked in the CHSAA preseason poll until each suffered defeat last week.
Cherry Creek (0-1, 0-0) is still ranked 9th following a season-opening 4-set loss to Ponderosa — a team listed 7th in Class 4A entering this week.
After fading in a 5-set non-league defeat to Grandview, the Mountain Vista (0-1, 0-0) squad dropped out of the Top 10 yet will certainly not lose the attention of any teams that know better — which includes the ‘Creek Bruins.
 
Tuesday, August 28                         #7 Valor Christian Eagles at #6 Rock Canyon Jaguars
4A state tournament finalists, Valor (1-0, 0-0), earned a match victory warm-up last week and now enter an aggressive non-conference gauntlet beginning with their South suburban neighbors, Rock Canyon (0-0, 0-0).
This is a grand entrance opportunity for the #7 Eagles during their move-up to a classified 5A program. Meanwhile, the state will get a first glimpse at the 6th-ranked R.C. Jags — who return a lot of talent despite losing the Colorado Player-of-the-Year to graduation.
 
Thursday, August 30                       #9 Cherry Creek Bruins at #7 Valor Christian Eagles
Each program played on the final night at the Denver Coliseum in November. Now, it’s a new season and they will compete in the same classification in 2018.
The 9th-ranked Bruins (0-1, 0-0) should come out of this week with greater self-awareness after making this second trip into Highlands Ranch to joust with a formidable volleyball program.
And it is certainly fair to say the #7 Eagles (1-0, 0-0) are approaching 2018 without fear. Playing two Top 10s in three days should do the trick in terms of learning more about what they might become.
 
Thursday, August 30                       #4 Evergreen Cougars (4A) at #10 Chatfield Chargers
The non-conference schedule that 10th-ranked Chatfield (1-0, 0-0) has put together will also make one look at the personal calendar for an open night to go watch some studs play. After opening their 2018 campaign with a 5-set win over D’Evelyn, the Chargers will play another Jeffco power program, Evergreen (1-0, 0-0) — a team entering the week at #4 in the Class 4A poll returns.