With the new playoff format in place for the COVID shortened 2021 volleyball season, league champions earn automatic bids to the regional tournaments. That’s not been the case in the past as selections were made based on RPI and/or district tournaments. Because of that change, our focus on the top matches tonight involve those among potential league champions.
#1 Fleming vs Weldon Valley
For Weldon Valley, this is their second meeting against a top ranked team. They suffered their only loss of the season on Tuesday against 2A number one Wiggins. That match ended in three sets. The Warriors quickly got back in the win column by sweeping Lone Star two nights later. Fleming has also played Wiggins as they beat the Tigers in five sets to win the Kit Carson tournament last Saturday. The Wildcats also downed Peetz on Tuesday to raise their record to 4-0 on the young season. The defending champs have their entire roster back; a group led by hitters Kally Kirkwood (67 kills) and Whitney Chintala (55) along with top setter Kendyl Kirkwood (122 assists).
#5 Simla at Byers
It’s a non-conference game but an interesting matchup as both are unbeaten going in. The match also continues an important week for the Cubs who beat league rival Pikes Peak Christian on Tuesday and faces another in Evangelical Christian on Saturday. They easily swept PPC; allowing just 37 points over the three sets. The win pushed their mark to 2-0 overall. Byers last played on Wednesday; sweeping Deer Trail but they also scored a long five-set win over Flagler the night before. The Bulldogs won set one 26-24 and set five 17-15 to start and finish the win.
#10 Springfield at Wiley
This is a very important contest inside the Ark Valley and overall RPI standings as Springfield enters at 3-0 and Wiley 3-1. The Panthers are not ranked but have a good case for top 10 billing as their lone loss came against top ranked Fleming last Saturday. That loss came in the Kit Carson Tournament where the Panthers also beat the host Wildcats and 2A ranked Yuma. A win today should gain them top 10 billing next week. Demi Wollert (43 kills) and Fatima Gomez (39) lead the offense with Macy Rowan (82 digs) the top defender. Taira Weber leads the Panthers with 62 assists and Wollert has 42. Springfield’s best win came against 2A Rocky Ford (3-0) last Saturday. They’ve also collected a conference win this week; downing Walsh in four. They take part in the Swink tournament on Saturday where they will have a rematch with the Lions in pool play.
Cheraw at McClave
This is a good matchup inside the 1A High Plains as the winner could end up pushing for the league championship. Even with a win, Cheraw will have the more difficult route to the crown as they fell to preseason favorite Kit Carson on Tuesday (3-0). They bounced back from that loss by sweeping 2A Crowley County the next night. Juniors Kenzie Bartholomew (23 kills) and Morgan McReynolds (19) are the first two options offensively for the Wolverines. McClave is already 5-0 but it hasn’t been easy as four of their matches have gone five sets. That includes last night’s marathon with Walsh where the Cardinals rallied from 0-2 down to win the final three games. There is balance in the offensive attack with five players in double figures for kills. The leader is Mariah Enciso with 20. McKenzie Kinisto and Ciara Solis share the defensive lead with 26 digs apiece.
#9 Hoehne at Rocky Ford
Fatigue could play a role in the outcome as both the Farmers and Meloneers are coming off five set contests last night. They had differing results as the Meloneers upset 4th ranked Kit Carson (1A) while the 9th ranked Farmers came up short to Rye. The outcome is also important to the Santa Fe standings. Fowler (3-0) is favored to win the title but entering the match, Rocky Ford (1-0) shares first place with the Grizzlies and Rye (2-0). Hoehne (1-1) is tied with Swink and Holly for a share of fourth. Against Kit Carson, Lily Hancock registered 15 kills to lead Rocky Ford. Gracie Moreland added nine to go along with seven aces. The Meloneers had 14 aces overall. Hoehne led Rye 2-1 but then came up short in game four (25-22) and game five (15-12).
Montezuma Cortez at Ignacio
After starting the season with four straight conference wins to take the outright lead in the 3A Intermountain, Montezuma Cortez takes a break from that chase to face Ignacio today and Grand Junction on Saturday. They will be favored in both and wins in each should be enough to get them into the 3A Top 10 on Monday. Avery Wright, with 56 kills, paces Cortez at the net. She gets help from the duo of Devon McHenry (29) and Myka Glover (26). Adezdiin Boeckman (118 assists) directs the attack while McHenry (61 digs) and Amber Wood (55) top the defensive effort. Ignacio last played on Saturday; falling to Telluride in three to snap a three-game win streak. Four Bobcats have at least 23 kills through five matches with Alexis Pontine (40) and Grace Gonzales (31) the top two.
#2 Mountain Vista at Highlands Ranch
Based on their 2-0 win over #1 Chaparral on Tuesday night, Mountain Vista is the likely number one team in 5A when new volleyball polls are released on Monday. A win over Highlands Ranch (3-2) team should solidify that thought. In Tuesday’s match, Kelli Ell collected 10 kills, Breklyn Pulling seven and Claire Hayes six. Ell and Hayes also finished with three aces apiece. Highlands Ranch enters riding a two-game win streak after sweeping Douglas County and Rangeview in their last two. Dani Crawford is the top hitter with 40 kills but there is depth up front with Bella Romano (23), Lillie Lynch (23) and Cameron Lindahl (17). Nicole Johnston (82 assists) is the top setter.
