The Patriot League never lacks for exciting finishes. The 2025 version may be one of the best yet.
This Thursday, the Class 4A/3A/2A Patriot will finally gain some clarity as No. 2 Eaton hosts No. 3 Resurrection Christian in a girls volleyball clash.
To say it’s a big game is a massive understatement. The No. 2 Reds (16-1, 10-0 in league) haven’t lost since the season opener to 4A Windsor. The No. 3 Cougars (17-0, 10-0) are one of only two unbeaten teams remaining in the state, regardless of classification (4A No. 1 Montrose was upset by Fruita Monument on Tuesday night).
Last November both teams were in the 3A state semis, along with fellow Patriot League rival Platte Valley. The squads haven’t missed a beat this fall – Resurrection Christian has dropped only three sets all season, and freshman Paige Michaelson has been quite the find with a team-leading 181 kills. Seniors Kaylynn Pardue (142 kills, 42 total blocks) and Blake Coors (186 digs) have provided a big boost, as has sophomore Kylee Mayes (9.2 assists a set, 40 aces).
Eaton is coming off a 3-1 victory over 2024 runner-up Platte Valley on Oct. 16. Senior Madi Smith led the way with 14 kills and four total blocks, and senior Hayden Logan tallied 16 digs.
Speaking of big games, 5A’s top-ranked Fossil Ridge took down three-time defending champion Valor Christian on Oct. 14, posting a 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19 victory over the Eagles. Olivia Ewing had 10 kills and eight total blocks, and Emery Johnson had 10 kills and 17 digs for the SaberCats (18-2).
Bergan Waitman recorded 15 kills and 24 digs for Valor (14-2), which dropped its first game to an in-state team this season. The Eagles did wrap up the Jeffco League title Tuesday night with a four-set victory over No. 5 Ralston Valley.
With only nine days remaining in the month, here is a glance at some of this week’s top games in each classification:
Class 5A
Rampart at Pueblo West, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22
The Colorado Springs Metro League has yet to be decided, but Wednesday’s game may solve that. No. 6 Rampart (16-1, 10-0) swept the Cyclones back on Sept. 30, is coming off a five-set victory over Pine Creek Oct. 13. Anaya Wright had 19 kills, Gabriella Melecio finished with 30 digs and Marcella Chiriboga went for 47 assists. … Eighth-ranked Pueblo West (14-2, 8-1) has been paced by Rylee Lambert (5.7 kills a set) and Joie Johnson (8.6 assists a set).
Class 4A
Green Mountain at Standley Lake, 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24
Standley Lake has the opportunity to all but lock up the 4A/3A Jeffco League with a victory over the Rams. The Gators (17-2, 6-0) are 11th in the 4A seedings index and have already defeated a Conifer team tied for second in the league standings with the Rams (14-5, 5-1). Freshman JoJo Martin leads the team in kills, with seniors Jenna Warwick and Genevieve Robertson not far behind. Maryn Paulson averages 4.1 digs a set. … Green Mountain, 13th in the seeding index, was swept by Conifer on Oct. 14. Four players have topped 100 kills this season, led by junior Addie Evans. Neva Cook leads the team in digs and assists.
Class 3A
Prospect Ridge at Forge Christian 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28
The 3A/2A Metro League standings are jumbled at the top, with three teams owning one league loss each. No. 4 Forge Christian (17-3, 7-1) leads the way by virtue of playing more games, with Stargate School (18-2, 6-1) and Prospect Ridge (13-2, 5-1) also in the mix. The Fury swept Stargate on Oct. 7, and downed No. 8 Aspen on Oct. 18 thanks to 19 kills, 11 digs and five aces from Addison Davis. … PRA still faces Colorado Academy before the Fury. Genevieve Forsman leads the team in digs at four a set.
Class 2A
Ignacio at Dolores, 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28
The 2A/1A San Juan Basin League will be decided by the outcome of this rematch between two teams enjoying dominant seasons. Ignacio won the first go-round in four sets Sept. 23, with Lainee Bradley’s 12 kills and 12 digs and Kelly Sirios’ 33 assists, 18 digs and seven total blocks leading the Bobcats (17-3, 10-0). … Dolores (18-1, 9-1) faces No. 5 Sanford in a non-league tilt before taking on Ignacio. Junior Aubree Wyatt is averaging six kills a set for the Bears, and a pair of freshman (Layla Mitchell and Addyson Wyatt) leading the team in digs and assists, respectively.
Class 1A
Fleming at Merino, 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28
Two of the top three teams in 1A tangle in a non-league rematch to cap off a busy week for both teams. Top-ranked Fleming (17-1) also faces 2A’s No. 4 Simla on Saturday. The Wildcats’ only loss this season came to Merino in an August tournament. The team won another 1A top-10 match Oct. 16, needing five sets to hold off Prairie. Ashley Bornhoft’s 18 kills, Brooke Schaefer’s 22 digs and Hayley Chamberlain’s 36 assists sparked the victory. … Merino (17-2) dropped its first two games of the season in tournament play over the weekend, falling to a pair of top-10 3A teams in Alamosa and Sterling. The Rams play No. 5 Stratton on Saturday before meeting Fleming. Sophomore Riley Pope averages almost 10 assists a set, and freshman Delaney Piel’s six digs a set pace the Rams, along with senior Jaylyn Lynch (4.9 kills a set).