The 2019 volleyball schedule picks up a bit of speed today with several top 10 teams on the court. We preview those matches and also look at other pairings of note involving teams outside the rankings.
CLASS 2A
#3 Wiggins at Bennett
Notes: It’s a battle of Tigers along I-70 and it should be a good match as Wiggins is coming off back-to-back state semifinal appearances while Bennett continues to build from their first ever state tournament appearance two years ago. Bri Gilliland, with 176 kills, 58 aces and 242 digs returns to lead Wiggins as does standout hitter Paige Finegan (230 kills). They blanked Bennett 3-0 last year. Bennett ended up with 17 wins and returns top hitters Reese Barber (232 kills) and Chloe Church (210) along with Reana Schledwitz (796 assists)
CLASS 4A
#3 Longmont at #7 Mead
#10 Ponderosa vs Columbine
Notes: Neither Longmont nor Mead has seen action but both teams expect to challenge for their respective league championship. Tonight’s match will thus serve as good preparation for the conference schedule that lies ahead. Plus, there’s the rivalry factor. Mead won an exciting five set victory in last year’s opening match. Sophomore Quincey Cole knocked down 25 kills in that win and is joined by senior Phoenix Wilkie who picked up 10. Longmont returns Caroline Demosthenes who collected 12 kills in the tough loss. Ponderosa finished 19-10 in 2018. Jordyn Miller (304) led the Mustangs in kills last year and enters her senior season. Abbey Telesz is another key returnee as she finished last Fall with 56 aces, 224 digs and 824 assists.
CLASS 5A
#1 Chaparral vs #7 Grandview
#2 Cherokee Trail vs Legend
#4 Eaglecrest at Denver East
Notes: Coming off a great win over Chaparral last week, #2 Cherokee Trail returns to the court with another tough challenge against Legend. Junior Amaya Messier led the Cougars with 13 kills and Maddie Cooley added 12 in the opening win over the Wolverines. Kealey Marshall provided 25 digs and Sydney Cole 32 assists. Legend has not seen game action as of yet and the Titans are coming off an 11-14 season. They’re led up front by returnees Rylie Kadel (143 kills) Chandler Fleming (101). No rest for the top ranked Wolverines as they face quality rival Grandview. The Wolves are coming off a disappointing 11-17 campaign but open this season in the Top 10. Emily Lamphere (320 kills) and Nicole Yakushenok (736 assists) both return. Eaglecrest opens the season with high expectations for hitters Audrey Black (442 kills) and Gabby Vogt (348).
OTHERS OF NOTE
Las Animas at Fowler (2A)
John Mall at Swink (2A)
Montezuma Cortez at Dolores (2A)
Notes: The top two games are very early conference battles inside the always rugged and deep Santa Fe conference. Swink dropped a conference opener in four sets to Hoehne so the Lions need a win to avoid an early 0-2 start. Brooklyn Mueller picked up 10 kills in the loss. Las Animas (0-1) lost a non-league game to 1A South Baca (3-1). Fowler and John Mall will be working through season openers. Dolores and Cortez could be a very good match as the Bears look to challenge for the 2A San Juan championship and the Panthers could push Alamosa for the 3A Intermountain title. Dolores will again be led by Jordan Elder who led the team in kills (270) and digs (261). Montezuma Cortez (16-6) welcomes back Avery Wright (211 kills), Aryelle Wright (196) and Devon McHenry (107) up front and that trio will get a boost from Del Norte transfer Myka Glover. Leigha Comisky (582 assists) also returns to the lineup.
