Fleming girls volleyball looking to plant its stake in the 1A title run

For all the accolades that Merino’s girls volleyball team has netted over the past five seasons – including a run of four consecutive Class 1A state titles – another program has been right there to challenge the Rams.

Fleming reached the championship match from 2019-23, falling to Merino in three of those contests. A year ago the team had a two-set lead on McClave in the semis, only to see the Cardinals take the final three sets and eventually the title.

It was a near-miss for a program that has been a 1A powerhouse for the past two decades. Fleming has been in the title game 14 times since 2006, going 7-7 during that stretch. This fall the team is 13-1 and currently first in the 1A seeding index, with the only loss coming to Merino.

The Wildcats swept past two ranked opponents last week, downing both Otis and Hi-Plains 3-0. With nine games remaining, Fleming still has a gauntlet to face that includes Merino again, 2A’s No. 3 Simla and ranked 1A foes in Prairie and Caliche.

Three players have more than 100 kills this season, paced by Ashley Bornhoft’s 158. Fellow seniors Quincy Stoll (107) and Ciana Lousberg (104) aren’t far behind.

Another senior, Brooke Schaefer, averages 4.2 digs a set, and Lousberg has combined with junior Hayley Chamberlain to form a strong 1-2 punch at setter.

The 1A classification is loaded again, as five teams already have at least 13 victories and Merino is unbeaten at 12-0.

With only three more full weeks remaining in the regular season, here is a glance at some of this week’s top games in each classification:

Class 5A

Rock Canyon at Legacy, 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9
This contest may not decide the Continental League title, but one team will certainly come away with a leg up in the race. Rock Canyon (15-1, 8-0) has the unenviable task of going back-to-back against Legend and Chaparral, though the Jaguars get 12-day break between games. Senior Amari Clark’s 218 kills lead the way, while four players have more than 100 digs. Sophomore Ziah Anderson has 45 total blocks. … Legend (13-2, 7-0) fell to Rock Canyon in four sets back on Aug. 30. The Titans have already topped Chaparral as well on Sept. 25 behind 16 kills from Reese Betschart and 25 digs from Breslyn Rarog.

Class 4A

Loveland at Windsor, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14
While catching up with 5A’s No. 1 Fossil Ridge may be out of reach in the 5A/4A Northern League standings, this inter-classification match is still crucial. Windsor (9-3, 4-2 going into Tuesday night) dropped its first matchup with Loveland on Sept. 16, but can take a step toward second place in the league standings in the second go-round. The Wizards had 79 digs against Loveland, led by Avery Smiley’s 21. … Loveland (12-3, 4-1) closes out the regular season on Halloween with Fossil Ridge.

Class 3A

Aspen at Gunnison, 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9
The 3A Western Slope League will have a front runner after this game, as No. 9 Aspen and 10th-ranked Gunnison are the only unbeatens remaining in the WSL. Gunnison (9-5, 4-0) fell to 4A No. 1 Montrose on Tuesday night. The Cowboys played the Skiers back on Sept. 6 in a tournament, losing in three sets. Senior Aubrey Welfelt averages just shy of four kills a set, and Aubriel Loken goes for 4.6 digs a set. … Aspen (13-3, 4-0) lost to 4A’s No. 2 Battle Mountain on Tuesday night. Juniors Belle Sinclair and Mary Morse have combined for more than 100 aces this fall.

Class 2A

Denver Christian at Prospect Ridge Academy, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14
It can be tough sledding as a 2A program in the challenging 3A/2A Metro League, but Denver Christian should be battle-tested come playoff time. The Thunder (14-4, 3-3) is ranked fourth in 2A, and Amina Weber (4.0 kills per set) and Bree Austin (4.7 digs per set) have been clutch. … Prospect Ridge (12-1, 4-0) is ranked eighth in 3A. Genevieve Forsman averages four digs a set and Delaney Ash is averaging nearly seven assists a set.

Class 1A

Sanford at Sargent, 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11
It’s non-league and an inter-classification battle, but Saturday’s game is a big opportunity for Sargent. The Farmers (12-1) are sitting just outside the top 10 in the 1A seeding index, and a victory over 2A’s No. 5 Sanford would give the team a big boost going into the final few weeks of the regular season. Sargent’s only loss was a five-set marathon to 2A’s Del Norte. … Sanford (11-1) dropped its first game Oct. 2 to 3A’s Centauri. Junior Claire Crowther has been big at the net.