CLASS 2A VOLLEYBALL DAILY DIGEST – 9/23/22
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The top two teams in the classification squared off last night, highlighting a busy slate of action. Half of the top-ten squads in the coaches poll were on the floor.
Second-ranked Wiggins got the win over #1 Sedgwick County in three sets, handing the Cougars their first loss of the year. The Tigers got 18 kills from Tyleigh Fehseke and 10 more from Peyton Allart. Kennedy Kerr racked up 35 assists, her fifth time this season with more than 30. Both teams are now 11-1 overall, and both have tonight off.
In the Santa Fe, fourth-ranked Fowler tuned up for tonight’s huge contest against #6 Rye by sweeping Rocky Ford. The winner of tonight’s match, in Fowler, will have sole possession of the league lead. It will be the first of two meetings between the highly-ranked squads, with the Grizzlies making the return trip on Oct. 13th.
Staying in that league, Hoehne picked up a straight set victory over Crowley County, with Kaylah Crosson (11) and Janae Roman (9) combining for 20 kills. The duo also tallied 11 blocks between them, six by Roman. Destinee Ybarra led the Chargers with nine kills and 19 digs.
Fifth-ranked Strasburg suffered a tough five-set loss to 3A #9 Valley. The Indians had to dig out of a 2-1 hole, taking the fourth 25-13, but they did not have enough left to complete the comeback, falling 15-4 in the fifth.
Seventh-ranked Holyoke welcomed in Perkins County (NE) and sent the Plainsmen home with a 3-0 defeat. Freshman Anessa Colglazier cranked out a career-high 12 kills to lead the Dragons. Her previous best this year had been eight. Tamara Penzing had a match-high 25 digs.
Dayspring Christian continued its recent success, sweeping Denver Christian for its third straight win. The Eagles snapped a four-match losing streak against the Thunder with the victory, and maintained a share of the Mile High lead. Aliyah McClanahan thumped 19 kills, giving her 193 on the season. She had 137 in the first three years of her career.
The team with whom the Eagles share the lead, Gilpin County, needed four sets to put away Union Colony Preps last night. Just when it looked like the Eagles were in position to complete the sweep, the Timberwolves came up with a 27-25 win in the third. However, Gilpin County closed things out 25-21 in the fourth. Jordanna Gagnon directed the attack with 30 assists, and Abby Smith tallied 40 digs, her second match this year with at least that many. She had 44 earlier against Soroco.
Also, St. Mary’s bounced 3A La Junta in Tri-Peaks league, earning a sweep on the road. Peyton Priddy served up seven aces and also had 18 assists for the Pirates.
Joining the Rye match at Fowler on tonight’s schedule is a huge clash between #8 Vail Christian and third-ranked Meeker inside the Western Slope. The teams enter with a combined mark of 18-1. They own parts of a three-way tie for the league lead, along with Rangely. Meeker holds an 14-6 lead in the recent history of the series with the Saints, thanks to a current eight-match winning streak. They have also taken 12 of the last 13 dating back to 2012.
Olathe is part of a logjam behind the top four teams in the Western Slope and needs a win at 1A North Park to remain in that pack. The Pirates are just 1-2 in their last three contests, all in league play. They had opened the year 6-0. North Park is on a two-match skid, and the Wildcats are in the bottom four of the 15-team league.
While it’s a non-conference match-up, ninth-ranked Sanford hosting Custer County bears watching because of the current RPI. Riding a seven-match winning streak, the Mustangs enter today tenth in the RPI. Custer County, who swept 1A Cotopaxi last night, is 32nd.
We’re also keeping an eye on Lake County’s home contest against The Pinnacle, as the Panthers try to stay one back of the leaders in the Frontier. The same holds true for The Pinnacle, as both teams are 4-1 in league play. Fort Lupton and Bennett share the league lead, with neither having a loss inside the league.
One match that might fly a little under the radar is Pagosa Springs visiting Del Norte in a non-league contest. Del Norte shares the lead in the Southern Peaks with Sanford and Sargent, and entered today 12th in the RPI. Pagosa is fourth in the 3A Intermountain, and 17th in the 3A RPI.
MileHigh Prep Report 