It’s simply a great night of volleyball across Colorado this evening. There are many top 10 matchups and several others that could determine league champions. And in every case, the winning team likely boosts their RPI numbers and improve their post-season bracketing.
The headliner is found in Class 2A as top ranked Denver Christian goes to #2 Union Colony. The number one overall seed in the 2A regional bracket could be on the line and the winner also lands the Mile High championship. The two rivals are a combined 34-1 on the season.
Also in Class 2A, #6 Fowler needs a win over Hoehne to stay within one game of Santa Fe leader Swink. The Grizzlies and Lions meet for a second time next week. #5 Limon can also finish up a perfect run through the Union Pacific with a road win at Byers.
Up in Class 4A, the annual gathering of Lewis Palmer and Cheyenne Mountain again draws much attention as the winner gets the Pikes Peak championship. The Rangers are 6-0 in the conference with Cheyenne Mountain a game back at 5-1. And oh by the way, the two programs have combined to win the last 11 state championships.
The 1A schedule is very attractive and results in three games will affect RPI and potential state tournament bracketing. Top ranked La Veta was scheduled to face Sangre De Cristo for the Southern Peaks championship but weather and no school in La Veta has pushed that match back to Saturday. The Redskins are scheduled to face Fleming on Friday so their finishing two-day stretch is a difficult one. #2 Merino and #4 Fleming collide just five days before the start of the District 4 tournament so it could be a preview of a championship game there. Seeds are determined by RPI so the winner could earn the top spot there. Merino has the slight advantage going in. Also in 1A is a nice rematch between #3 Kit Carson and #6 Genoa Hugo. The Wildcats edged the Pirates 2-1 to win the Stratton tournament earlier this month. Both teams are favored to earn a bid to the state bracket.
Class 5A features Broomfield with a chance to clinch the Front Range championship. The #4 Eagles lead Fort Collins by one game in the standings but they’ve already beaten the Lambkins so a win tonight hands them the crown. Valor Christian has wrapped up the Jeffco title but a win over third place Ralston Valley leaves them unbeaten through the schedule. And Cherokee Trail and Grandview collide inside the Centennial league challenge match schedule.
A league championship is also on the mind for 3A Lutheran who can clinch the Metro by beating St Mary’s Academy. Platte Valley also looks to stay one game up on University for third place in the Patriot. Both teams though trail co-leaders Eaton and Sterling by at least two games in the loss column.
The entire schedule is below. We’ll update scores as they’re reported this evening.
CLASS 1A
#1 La Veta vs Sangre De Cristo (PPD TO SATURDAY)
FINAL: #4 Fleming beat #2 Merino 3-2
FINAL: #6 Genoa Hugo beat #3 Kit Carson 3-2
FINAL: #9 Springfield beat McClave 3-0
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #1 Denver Christian beat #2 Union Colony 3-1
FINAL: #5 Limon beat Byers 3-1
#6 Fowler vs Hoehne
#8 Rye vs Swallows Charter
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 Lutheran beat St Mary’s Academy 3-0
FINAL: #7 University beat Frontier Academy 3-0
FINAL: #9 Platte Valley beat Estes Park 3-0
FINAL: Valley beat #10 Resurrection Christian 3-0
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #1 Pueblo County beat #4 Pueblo West 3-0
FINAL: #2 Lewis Palmer beat Cheyenne Mountain 3-0
FINAL: #5 Discovery Canyon beat Air Academy 3-1
#6 Palmer Ridge at Vista Ridge
FINAL: #8 Mead beat Berthoud 3-0 (Tri Valley Tournament)
FINAL: #8 Mead beat Frederick 3-0 (Tri Valley Tournament)
#9 Woodland Park at Widefield
FINAL: #10 Erie beat Skyline 3-0 (Tri Valley Tournament)
FINAL: #10 Erie beat Holy Family 3-2 (Tri Valley Tournament)
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #1 Chaparral beat ThunderRidge 3-0
FINAL: #2 Legend beat Douglas County 3-0
FINAL: #3 Cherokee Trail beat #8 Grandview 3-0
FINAL: #4 Broomfield beat Mountain Range 3-0
FINAL: #5 Rampart beat Doherty 3-1
FINAL: #6 Valor Christian beat Ralston Valley 3-1
FINAL: #7 Fort Collins beat Boulder 3-0
FINAL: #10 Windsor beat Fort Morgan 3-0 (Tri Valley Tournament)
FINAL: #10 Windsor beat Roosevelt 3-0 (Tri Valley Tournament)
