Colorado Preps produces in-depth weekly updates on each classification of volleyball but this week we also provide a primer for the entire week. League play is underway and several clubs are in position to land conference championships. Our primer includes a look at the top matchups in each class concerning those league chases.
CLASS 1A
Tuesday
Dove Creek at Dolores
Friday
Weldon Valley at Fleming
Wiley at Holly
Eads at Elbert
Arickaree/Woodlin at Stratton/Liberty
Saturday
Kit Carson at Flagler/Hi Plains
Springfield at La Veta
NOTES:  Tuesday’s meeting between Dove Creek and Dolores will determine the outright lead in the San Juan conference. The teams are a combined 10-0 against league rivals. Weldon Valley needs a win over Fleming to avoid three games back of the first place Wildcats in the Northern. Wiley and Holly are the top challengers for the Ark Valley crown and the winner gets the inside track to the crown. The remaining games on the schedule should factor greatly into RPI standings and post-season bracketing.
CLASS 2A
Tuesday
Lyons at Dawson
Fowler at Hoehne
Wiggins at Haxtun
Dove Creek at Dolores
Thursday
Yuma at Wray
Union Colony Prep at Dayspring Christian
Hoehne at Swink
Fowler at Rocky Ford
Highland at Lyons
NOTES: The Santa Fe and Mile High conferences are among the best races statewide. Swink (6-1) has a one game edge on Hoehne, Fowler and Rocky Ford in the Santa Fe. Those four teams face off this weekend with Hoehne involved in two important games with Fowler and Swink. Lyons and Dayspring Christian are the highest ranked teams from the Mile High but they trail Denver Christian and Dawson (both unbeaten) in the conference chase. Lyons and Dayspring Christian are tied with Highland (one loss) in third place. Lyons faces both Dawson and Highland this week. Dayspring Christian looks to keep pace by beating Union Colony Prep. In the Lower Platte, Yuma shares the lead with Wiggins and Holyoke. The Indians beat Haxtun last week so the Bulldogs need to beat Wiggins to stay within range. Yuma also has a fun rivalry game with Wray on Thursday. Dolores is unbeaten in the San Juan and leads all other 2A clubs there by at least two games. The Bears are tied with Dove Creek for the overall lead and they meet Tuesday night.
CLASS 3A
Tuesday
Resurrection Christian at University
Cedaredge at Coal Ridge
Wednesday
Bennett at Clear Creek
Thursday
University at Valley
Colorado Academy at Faith Christian
Resurrection Christian at Frontier Academy
Aspen at Coal Ridge
Saturday
Centauri at Bayfield
NOTES: The first half lead in the IML is on the line when Centauri meets Bayfield on Saturday. Each team is unbeaten and both have a win over third place Pagosa Springs. The winner gains the inside track to the league crown. Shuffling will continue in the Patriot league as several top 10 clubs square off this week. Starting the week, Resurrection Christian, University and Eaton share the lead at 3-0. One will fall off the pace when University and Resurrection Christian collide on Tuesday. Cedaredge, Coal Ridge and Aspen are all unbeaten in early Western Slope play. Coal Ridge meets both challengers this week. Bennett needs a win over Clear Creek to stay as the top challenger to Middle Park in the Frontier. In the Metro, Lutheran is alone in first with Colorado Academy and Faith Christian part of a five-way tie for second place. The loser of their match on Thursday will fall two games back of the first place Lions.
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CLASS 4A
Tuesday
Silver Creek at Longmont
D’Evelyn at Evergreen
Berthoud at Windsor
Thursday
Lewis Palmer at Palmer Ridge
Niwot at Thompson Valley
Evergreen at Valor Christian
Ponderosa at Mountain Vista
Saturday
Cheyenne Mountain at Holy Family
Glenwood Springs at Eagle Valley
NOTES: Silver Creek and Longmont share second place behind Niwot in the Northern conference and Tuesday is the first of two meetings between the city rivals. Windsor is second and Berthoud third behind Holy Family in the Tri Valley so that winner sits in second. Valor Christian, D’Evelyn and Evergreen have the best records in non-conference play so they expect to battle for the Jeffco crown. Much will be decided as the three teams battle this week including two important meetings for Evergreen. Lewis Palmer and Palmer Ridge are both top 10 teams that meet to open the Pikes Peak conference. Palmer Ridge hoping to bypass Cheyenne Mountain as the top league challenger to the Rangers. Glenwood Springs lost their first match of the season to Palisade last week and is tied with the Bulldogs in second place. Both teams are chasing Eagle Valley who is 5-0 in Western Slope play. Ponderosa and Mountain Vista are both 1-1 in the Continental so their match will help sort out the top five in the race.
CLASS 5A
Tuesday
Highlands Ranch at Castle View
Horizon at Fossil Ridge
Brighton at Prairie View
Vista Peak at Westminster
Grandview at Cherry Creek
Wednesday
Lakewood at Pomona
Thursday
Fossil Ridge at Broomfield
Vista Peak at Aurora Central
Friday
Fruita Monument at Montrose
NOTES: Six teams begin the week within one game of the Front Range lead but with the clubs starting to face off, some separation could occur. Fort Collins, Legacy and Horizon are unbeaten and share the lead by one game over Rocky Mountain, Fossil Ridge and Broomfield. Fossil Ridge meets both Horizon and Broomfield this week. It’s very early in the East Metro as Aurora Central, Rangeview, Westminster, Vista Peak and Prairie View are a combined 6-0 in conference play. Vista peak has two dates with co-leaders on tap while Brighton takes on Prairie View in a key match Tuesday. In the Continental, neither Castle View nor Highlands Ranch has a league loss but that changes on Tuesday. The winner will remain tied with Chaparral who begins the week 3-0. Cherry Creek and Eaglecrest lead the Centennial but Grandview is one of four teams just one game back.  They can crowd the race a bit more by upsetting the Bruins on Tuesday. Fruita Monument is alone in first in the SWL race but gets a challenge by Montrose on Friday in a battle of teams routinely in the league title mix.
