Tournaments dominate the final week of volleyball as clubs get in one more event before regional tournaments open next week, but there are a few conference championships still to be decided. We highlight those conference matchups here and will post as many tournament brackets and schedules as we receive them.
Our photo is presented by Joe Skerjanec of OTSPORTSCHEK. It’s from the Sterling volleyball tournament this past Saturday and all photos from there can be seen by clicking here.
CLASS 2A
The only conference crown not awarded is in the Santa Fe where Swink and Fowler both set at 10-2 and atop the standings. They collide on Tuesday to determine the overall champion. Fowler won the first meeting in four sets but the match was played almost six weeks ago.
All other league championships have been decided:
- BLACK FOREST: Simla
- LOWER PLATTE: Merino (in 1A district play this week
- MILE HIGH: Denver Christian
- SAN JUAN: Dolores
- SOUTHERN PEAKS: Del Norte
- UNION PACIFIC: Limon
- WESTERN SLOPE: Meeker
CLASS 3A
Maybe the most attractive conference match of the week can be found in division as Sterling hosts Eaton on Wednesday night. Both teams are unbeaten in the Patriot so the winner lands the championship. Sterling (20-0) is also unbeaten for the season and is coming off a title at their own tournament where they beat both Lamar and Platte Valley. The Tigers also play third place Platte Valley (7-2) on Thursday and that match becomes important for second-third if Eaton wins on Tuesday. The Reds cannot finish lower than second as they’ve already beaten Platte Valley.
Another league title up for grabs this week is the Confluence where Eagle Ridge Academy (8-0) leads Strive Prep (5-1) by one game. They meet Wednesday in Brighton to determine the top two spots.
Remaining league races have already been decided:
- INTERMOUNTAIN: Alamosa
- METRO: Lutheran
- TRI PEAKS: Colorado Springs Christian
- WESTERN SLOPE: Coal Ridge
- FRONTIER: Bennett
There is a key game in the Metro as Faith Christian meets Skyview Acadmey on Tuesday and that winner will earn second place. Coal Ridge will end up tied with Cedaredge in the Western Slope but the Titans won the regular season matchup. DSST-Montview beat Bennett on Saturday to win the post-season Frontier tournament but the Tigers went unbeaten through the regular conference slate.
CLASS 4A
Just one match on the schedule in the final week will help determine a league championship. It occurs in the Colorado 7 where Englewood hosts Skyview on Tuesday night. The Pirates (12-0) can clinch the league title with a second win over the Wolverines (11-1) but if Skyview avenges the earlier loss, both teams will share the championship.
Elsewhere, Cheyenne Mountain and Palmer Ridge face off Monday night in a makeup from an earlier postponement. That winner should end up behind Lewis Palmer as the Rangers have already clinched the Pikes Peak crown.
D’Evelyn and Evergreen also meet for a second time on Wednesday but the Jaguars (11-0) have already wrapped up the Jeffco crown. Evergreen is second at 8-2 and they won’t fall out of second with a loss.
Other league races have determined league winners:
- CS METRO: Woodland Park
- SOUTH CENTRAL: Pueblo County
- TRI VALLEY: Windsor (moves to 5A for post-season)
- WESTERN SLOPE: Glenwood Springs
- NORTHERN: Silver Creek
- SOUTHWESTERN: Montrose
CLASS 5A
Both the CS Metro and East Metro have important matches remaining this week before crowning a league champion. Rampart (5-0) leads Pine Creek and Coronado (both 4-1) by one game entering the final week. The Rams have beaten Pine Creek but they go to Coronado on Tuesday night. A win there gives the Rams the championship but a loss could leave all three teams sharing the top spot. Pine Creek closes with Liberty on Tuesday. The Eagles topped Coronado earlier in conference play.
Vista Peak and Rangeview are each 8-0 and sit atop the East Metro. They lead all others by at least two games so their matchup on Tuesday will determine first and second. Vista Peak will host that crucial contest.
Elsewhere, the big school division has decided all other league races:
- FRONT RANGE: Broomfield
- JEFFCO: Valor Christian
- CENTENNIAL: Grandview, Eaglecrest & Cherokee Trail
- CONTINENTAL: Chaparral
- CITY: Denver East
Fort Collins is second to Broomfield in the Front Range but the Lambkins must beat Loveland on Wednesday to stay there alone. The Indians and Horizon are both 9-2 and trail the Lambkins by just one game so a Loveland win likely gives all three teams a share of second place.
Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon (both 6-3) are tied for third behind Chaparral and Legend in the rugged Continental. Mountain Vista won the head-to-head matchup so they have the advantage in case of a tie. Rock Canyon also has a game with Chaparral on Tuesday so they would need to upset the Wolverines to have any chance at a third place finish.
