Volleyball Class 3A Top Ten Breakdown
#1 Eaton
Eaton has gone 137-6 since the start of the 2013 season and have been rolling since. 3 of the 6 losses have come to 4A Lewis Palmer who is a power in the 4A ranks. Lewis Palmer and Eaton meet again this year as well and should be an interesting matchup. Eaton last 3A lose came to Manitou Springs but Eaton has dominated the 3A ranks and are looking to continue their domination. Eaton kicks off their 2018 season against Lamar and Buena Vista. Eaton once again will be the favorite in their league and to win another state championship.
#2 Lutheran
Lutheran was your runner up last year falling to Eaton in the State Championship. Lutheran once again is expected to be the main threat to Eaton. Lutheran is returning their top hitters in Payton Brgoch and Abby Akers. Lutheran also returns their top setter with Kennedy Johnson returning. Lutheran does not kick off their regular season till 8/30 when they play #5 Valley.
#3 University
University is the one of the many threats in the Patriot League to Eaton and all 3 of University loses came to Eaton last year. The Patriot League is loaded with good teams and will make University work to keep the #2 spot. University does return Madlyn Malm who was #2 on the team in kills. Malm is the only returnee among the top five hitters from University coming back. University does return top setter with Alexsei Vierya. University also travels to Buena Vista to open their season against Lamar and Buena Vista on 8/25.
#4 Faith Christian
Faith Christian will be the main threat to Lutheran in the Metro League. Faith Christian picked up 3 of their 6 loses to Lutheran a year ago with two other coming to Resurrection Christian (8) and Eaton (1). Faith Christian does return some fire power with Alina Randal returning and Sophia Keister. Top setter Allure Padilla also returns and should lead an effective offensive attack. Faith Christian open their regular season against #8 Resurrection Christian on 8/30.
#5 Valley
Valley another Patriot League team will be pushing for the #2 spot and a shot at Eaton. Valley returns their top hitter in Delaney Eckardt and solid options in Kenzie Rya and Madison Agripino. The big lose for Valley was their top setter from a year ago and could slow the Valley attack down until a setter can come into the fold. Valley opens their season against #2 Lutheran and will be a very good early test for both teams.
#6 Centauri
Centauri was a big surprise last year going 23-0 into the Regional tournament before falling twice and failing to qualify for the state tournament. Centauri loses a lot of talent for their team including four of their 5 top hitters and their top setter. Centauri will have some rebuilding this year but have a talented class of upcoming Juniors who could help the rebuild process. Centauri kicks off their season against Alamosa on 8/23.
#7 Coal Ridge
Coal Ridge like Centauri was a big surprise last year. Coal Ridge went 21-4 and were perfect in the Western Slope last year during league play. Coal Ridge did come up just short against Middle Park and didn’t qualify for the state tournament. Coal Ridge does return Taylor Wisecamp who was second in kills on the team last year. Coal Ridge also returns top setter Kenzie Crawford and will be help direct the offense again this year. Coal Ridge opens their season with a rematch of the regional finals against Middle Park on 8/30.
#8 Resurrection Christian
Resurrection Christian is another top team in the Patriot League and will be pushing for a Top 3 finish in the Patriot. Resurrection Christian has a solid nucleus returning and could be a team to really move up the standings. Resurrection Christian returns their top two hitters from last year; Morgan Watson and Kaitlyn Newbanks. They combined for over 500 kills last year. Resurrection Christian also returns their top setter Bryce Lieneman. Resurrection Christian opens their season against Lyons on 8/28.
#9 Lamar
Lamar reached the state tournament a year ago but didn’t advance to the semifinals falling to Eaton in their pool. Lamar does lose their top hitter Cali Clark who transferred to Cherry Creek and will turn to Maddy Williams or Brecken Payne to lead the team. Lamar does return their top setter Aliceson Fierro and will help pace the offense. Lamar already opened their season against Florence and won 25-13,25-15, 25-21 for the 3-game sweep. Brecken Payne and Maddy Williams led the way with 15 & 13 kills. Lamar plays #3 University and #1 Eaton in Buena Vista on 8/25
#10 Platte Valley
Platte Valley is the 5th ranked team in the Patriot League. Platte Valley reached the state tournament last year also falling in pool play to Eaton. Platte Valley will be looking to move up in the standings after finishing 5th in league last year. Platte Valley returns their top 3 hitter; Faith Fetzer, Claire Smith, and Annika Zenk. Platte Valley also returns their top setter Maddie Uyemura. Platte Valley opens their season against Highland on 8/30.
Other Notes:
Three other teams have opened their season as well in the 3A ranks. La Junta grabbed a 25-8, 25-20, and 25-9 win over Kim/Branson (1A). La Junta was led by Raini Tafoya in kills with 12. SkyView Academy opened with a 3-1 win over Fort Lupton (25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-17). SkyView Academy was led by Eliana Katzer with 11 kills. The final game was a good one with Machebeuf taking a 3-2 win over 4A Green Mountain (25-15, 25-17, 14-25, 22-25, 15-12). Machebeuf was led by Adrianna Casados & Lizzy Luebbers with 9 kills each.
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