Volleyball Class 1A Top Ten Breakdown
#1 Kit Carson
Kit Carson blazed through the 2017 season going 28-0 and not dropping a single set along the way. Kit Carson had 5 players last year break the 100-kill mark and Kit Carson will return 4 of them this year. Tess Hornung leads the group and led the team in kills last year. Also coming back is Reyna Isenbart and McKenzie Smith. The top setter from Kit Carson Reyna Isenbart also returns as does Haley Johnson who led the team in digs. Kit Carson has played two games but have not reported final scores yet. They play La Veta next on 8/31.
#2 La Veta
La Veta went 27-1 last year with their lone defeat coming to Fleming in the State Semifinals. La Veta could use that lose to motivate themselves this year. La Veta returns top hitter Kaylee Corsentino and she also led the team in digs. Nya Sciacca was #2 in kills for La Veta and also returns. The main hole for La Veta will be at setter and the #2 setter was Mary Goins and she will have huge shoes to fill this year. La Veta opens the season against John Mall and is playing in the tournament that is taking place there. The big game that should be on the calendar for La Veta is against Kit Carson on 8/31.
#3 Fleming
Fleming was last year runner up losing to Kit Carson in the State Championship. Fleming though was hit hard by graduation losing their top 2 hitters and 4 of their top 6 leaders in digs. Fleming will be returning some talent with Jenna Lengfelder coming back and she was third on the team with kills. Also coming back is top setter Kendyl Kirkwood. Fleming may have some holes but with the experience coming back they will be a big threat. Fleming opens the season against Briggsdale on 8/30 and then Arickaree/Woodlin on 8/31.
#4 Otis
Otis went 22-5 last year and qualified for the state tournament. Otis was in Kit Carson pool play and feel to them in pool play. Otis loses just 2 seniors from last year team one of which led the team in blocks. Otis returns their top two hitters in Makenna Metzler and Ruby Halcomb. Otis also returns their top setter Sydney Reynolds. Otis is hoping to build on last season success and make a deeper run at the state tournament. Otis opens their season against Wray on 8/28.
#5 McClave
McClave went 17-9 last season and are poised to challenge Kit Carson in the High Plains League. McClave will have some holes to fill with top hitter and blocker Allie Nidey graduating. McClave does have Jordan Parker who was second in kills and Katie Bronniman who was third in kills is also back. Rebecca Steerman also returns for McClave and was the top setter for McClave a year ago. McClave opens their season against Pikes Peak Christian on 8/31 and then plays in a tournament on 9/1.
#6 Genoa-Hugo
Genoa-Hugo went 18-9 last season and qualified for the state tournament. Genoa-Hugo does have two seniors to replace from last year team. Ryley Smartt and Alia Kraxberger will look to lead at the net this year for Genoa-Hugo. Genoa-Hugo also returns their top setter Tessa Smith and Mindi Carr who led the team in digs. Genoa-Hugo has not uploaded their schedule yet to Maxpreps.
#7 Wiley
Wiley last year was 19-6 and qualified for the state tournament. Wiley does lose plenty of senior leadership from last year’s team including their top setter and three of their four top hitters. Wiley will bring back their main hitter from last year Faith Dellamaestra who not only led in kills but blocks and aces. Wiley will also have two seniors back to provide senior leadership with Marisa Vasquez and Mykayla Krentz coming back. Wiley will have to develop some hitters but will be a threat. Wiley opens the year against Cheraw on 8/28.
#8 Haxtun
Haxtun went 16-6 last year but failed to qualify for the state tournament losing in the regional round. Haxtun was a 2A team last year but drops into the 1A ranks. Haxtun has some holes to fill and one of those will be at the setter position. Haxtun does return their leading hitter Dawson Knode and McKenna Andersen. Haxtun will need to find a new setter this year for their offense to still be effective. Haxtun opens their season playing in a tournament against Sedgwick County, Briggsdale, and Merino on 8/25.
#9 Sangre De Cristo
Sangre De Cristo went 19-8 last year and qualified for the state tournament. Sangre De Cristo did fall in pool play but with the talent coming back this year could make a deeper run at state. Sangre De Cristo returns their leading hitter Jessica Slane and their #2 Hitter Avery Palmgren. Also coming back to lead the offense is Ranae Sinclair and Jordyn Cantu who led the team in digs. Sangre De Cristo has a lot of talent coming back but can they grow as a team to advance deeper into the state tournament. Sangre De Cristo opens their season against Sargent on 8/24 and then plays in a tournament in John Mall on 8/25.
#10 Flagler/Hi Plains
Flagler/Hi Plains went 16-8 last year but did not qualify for the state tournament. Flagler/Hi Plains does have some holes to fill with their #1 and #2 attacker not coming back. #3 Hitter Sydnie Santala is coming back as is #4 hitter Erin Marzolf. Flagler/Hi Plains will also be in search of another setter but will have back Katelyn Klann who was #2 in digs last year. Flagler/Hi Plains have not finished entering their schedule into Maxpreps.
MileHigh Prep Report 