Five matches on the Thursday Top 10 volleyball schedule involving a ranked team facing another.  Of those four, the most important may be found in the Northeast as #3 Fleming heads to #4 Briggsdale in the North Central league opener for both.  It’s the first of two meetings for the long-time rivals and each are competing with two other teams in the 1A rankings for the league title.
We preview the contest in our new small school volleyball podcast that can be heard here.
Also on tap tonight is a good challenge for the two-time defending 1A state champion as #1 Kit Carson visits #4 Limon from Class 2A.  It’s the first of two quality meetings this week for both clubs as the Wildcats head to #2 La Veta on Friday and the Badgers tangle with #8 Hoehne.
Up in Class 3A, #2 Lutheran begins defense of their state championship against #8 Valley.  Payton Brgoch is back to lead the Lions after earning Player of the Year honors as a junior.  She’s joined on the roster by top setter Kennedey Johnson.  Valley is paced by the all-around standout Delaney Eckhardt who is coming off a tremendous junior year where she led the Vikings in both kills and assists.
The second top 10 pairing in 3A pits #4 Faith Christian against #9 Resurrection Christian.  The Cougars are 1-0 thanks to a quality win over 2A #7 Lyons on Tuesday while Faith Christian hits the court for the first time.
In the big school ranks, #1 Lewis Palmer (4A) and #9 Grandview (5A) are featured in a matchup of the two of the most storied programs in Colorado history.  The Rangers have eight state titles in school history including five since 2013.  They’ve won the last three crowns in 4A.  Grandview has won the top trophy five times including back-to-back titles in both 2004-05 and 2013-14.
 
CLASS 1A
#1 Kit Carson at #4 Limon
#3 Fleming at #4 Briggsdale
#5 Otis vs Wray
 
CLASS 2A
#7 Lyons vs Liberty Common
#8 Hoehne at John Mall
#10 Vail Mountain at North Park
 
CLASS 3A
#2 Lutheran at #8 Valley
#3 Colorado Springs Christian at Palmer
#4 Faith Christian at #9 Resurrection Christian
#6 University at Windsor
#7 Sterling vs Fort Morgan
#10 Platte Valley vs Highland
 
CLASS 4A
#1 Lewis Palmer at #9 Grandview (5A)
#2 Palmer Ridge at Castle View
#8 Cheyenne Mountain at Liberty
 
CLASS 5A
#3 Legend at Lakewood
#5 Cherry Creek at Ponderosa
#6 Eaglecrest vs ThunderRidge
#10 Chatfield at Evergreen