Volleyball Class 2A Top Ten Breakdown
#1 Yuma
Yuma is in great shape this year returning leading hitters Chasey Blach and Cody Robinson. One of the bigger loses for Yuma was assist leader Kennedy Roth, she also led the team in digs. Yuma will need to develop another setter and may have one in Reagan Nolin who was second in assists a year ago. Yuma is looking to rebound from last year’s state championship lose. Yuma opens the season again Pine Bluffs WY on 8/31. Their first game against a Colorado team come on 9/6 when they play Brush.
#2 Lyons
Lyons is your defending state champion but gone are some key pieces to their team. Lyons loses Player of the Year Sarah Stevelinck. Lyons does return their top hitter Taylor Maguire who led the team in hits and had 21 kills in the state championship. Maguire will be the only hitter returning of Lyons top 4 hitters. Lyons will have their top setter back with Kylen Christiansen returning and having her will help develop some hitters. Lyons also has a new head coach in Heather Evans. Lyons opens the season against Frontier Academy tonight 8/23 and then faces Resurrection Christian on 8/28.
#3 Denver Christian
Denver Christian was a bit of a surprise team last year winning 23 games and an appearance in the final 4. Denver Christian does lose their top hitter from last year Halley Herder but return their #2 hitter Anna Kaemingk and Jacki Bogner. Denver Christian also returns their top setter from last year Jenna Peters and have the option of turning to Jena Haman who also recorded over 300 assists. Denver Christian opens their season playing in the Demon Invitational in Glenwood Springs. Denver Christian first opponent is 4A Littleton on 8/31.
#4 Meeker
Meeker could be a real threat this year as they return their entire lineup from last year. Also, Meeker head coach will have another year of experience under his belt and should help Meeker improve in year #2. Meeker was led by Krissie Luce, Julia Dinwiddle, and Sydnie Main in terms of kills. Meeker also returns top setter Kassie Luce and Lila Klinglesmith who led the team in digs. Meeker made an appearance in the Semifinal last year and are hoping to improve this year. Meeker opens the year again North Park on 8/25 and then compete in the West Grand Tournament on 8/31.
#5 Simla
Simla last year came up just short of a final four appearance last year losing to Meeker in pool play. Simla does return some leadership to make another run for the playoffs. Simla returns Kegan Hamacher and Riley Maranville who were 2nd and 3rd hitters last year. Simla lost their main hitter Jerraldawn Rector and lose their top setter Chloe Duffy. Simla will be looking to sophomore Halle Lutz to jump in at setter this year. Simla opens their season on 9/1 against Kiowa and then plays in the Bennett Invite on 9/8.
#6 Swink
Swink is another team who returns a lot of talent and experience this year. Swink returns their top 6 hitters and their assist leader. Swink returns top hitters Skyler Jones, Brianna Denton, and Brooklyn Mueller. Swink top setter from last year was Tierra Holland and Kyla O’Neal led the team in digs. Swink returns Swink last year finally broke through regional exist and qualified for the state tournament and are hoping for a deeper run. Swink has already opened their season with 2 wins over Hoehne 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22) and John Mall 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-7). So far Swink has been led by Skyler Jones 16 kills and Brianna Denton 15 kills. Swink next game is against Holly on 8/23.
#7 Dolores
Dolores last year went 22-4 and at one-point last season won 22 straight games. Dolores does return some talent and could be enough to challenge for another league title and a run to make the state tournament. Dolores returns Jordan Elder and Tatum Major both were top hitters from last year team. Dolores may have depth issues at the hitter position as they lose their 3rd, 4th, and 5th hitters from last year. Dolores does return their top setter from a year ago and will help lead this offense. Dolores opens their season in a tournament against John Mall and Sangre De Cristo on 8/25.
#8 Wiggins
Wiggins went 20-9 last year and made a huge jump from the 2016 to 2017. Wiggins nearly ended Lyons shot at a state title dropping a one-set tiebreaker to them. Wiggins returns top setter Chloe Baker who had over 1000 assists last year. Wiggins also returns their #2 hitter in Tanna Hansen and her sister Tasha Hansen. Wiggins will look to both to replace Tori Jordan who led the team in kills. Wiggins will be looking for just their 3rd winning season this year. Wiggins opened their season on 8/21 with a win over Bennet 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21). Wiggins next game is against 8/25 against Cornerstone Christian.
#9 Limon
Limon just missed the state tournament a year ago falling in regional to Simla. Limon will be hoping to improve this year and qualify for the state tournament. Limon returns some key players from last year team. Limon returns their top 2 hitters Anna Weisensee and Sidney Hines. Limon also returns their top two setters from last year Amy Weisensee and Lauren Stang and Limon also returns Brooke Younger who led the team in digs. Limon has plenty of experience coming back but can they put a run together to advance from regionals. Limon opens the season against Deer Trail on 8/28 followed by #10 Hoehne on 9/1.
#10 Hoehne
Hoehne advanced to the state tournament a year ago but some key loses at the hitter position will need to be addressed. Hoehne loses Shaelyn Walton and Brittanie Hill. Hoehne will turn to Averie Navarette and Kamryn Baca-Cordova. Hoehne does return their top setter from a year ago Tiffany Montoya and she will have to provide leadership for Hoehne early on. Hoehne is off to a rough start but also are playing a tough schedule. Hoehne is 0-2 on this season with loses to #6 Swink 1-3 (25-20, 20-25, 17-25, 22-25) and Del Norte 1-3 (19-25, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26). Hoehne schedule does get a bit easier with games against Swallows Charter on 8/23 and Primero on 8/25.
MileHigh Prep Report 