Class 1A Regional Volleyball Predictions
Here are my Predictions on who is going to win the 12 regionals taking place this weekend. I will give a quick breakdown of why I am picking each team to win. Full Preview of the Class 1A Regional will be posted tomorrow or Friday.
Region 1
#1 Merino over #24 Springfield
Merino has just one loss on the season and that was to 2A Wiggins. Merino ended the year with a great run of wins over 3A opponents Lamar, Alamosa and Sterling. Merino is the favorite to win the whole thing. Springfield did a great job winning the Ark Valley League and getting some key experience for a young core of players.
Region 2
#2 Stratton over #23 Caprock Academy
Stratton is playing their best Volleyball of the season. Stratton has won 15 straight games including wins over Idalia, Otis, Cheraw, Strasburg, Fleming, and Briggsdale. Stratton will be looking to challenge for a top spot at State. Caprock Academy had their most successful season since they started their program back in 2014. Caprock Academy will look to gain key experience at regionals this season.
Region 3
#3 McClave over #22 Sangre De Cristo
McClave has just two losses on the season without a key player. McClave will be looking for a deep run in the state tournament. Besides the two losses McClave has not faced top competition since early September where they beat Simla, Idalia, and Kit Carson. Sangre De Cristo won the Southern Peaks league. They will be looking to advance from regionals and pull a huge upset.
Region 4
#4 Simla over #21 Granada
Simla is having a great season at 20-3. Their losses are two 2A Wiggins, McClave, and Merino. They also have plenty of key wins on the season including Kit Carson, Calhan, Stratton, Cheraw, and Fleming. They are hoping for a return trip to the state tournament. Granada is having their best season since 2007. This is key experience for a younger Granada team.
Region 5
#5 Otis over #20 Cheyenne Wells
This is a bit more of an intriguing matchup. Otis did not get the easiest draw but have proven to be a top team with wins over Briggsdale, Hi-Plains, Idalia, and Yuma. Cheyenne Wells is 12-10 entering regionals but played great down the stretch winning 9 of their last 10 including wins over McClave and Springfield. Cheyenne Wells did play very tough against Kit Carson and Hi-Plains.
Region 6
#6 Idalia over #19 Eads
Idalia is 18-4 and won 7 straight games. They are in the weird position of playing a team they faced to end the year. Idalia defeated Eads to end the season 3-2. Expect another great matchup this time around. Eads comes into the matchup at 12-10.
Region 7
#7 Briggsdale over #18 Flatirons Academy
Briggsdale did end the year on a bit of a down note losing 3 of their last 5 games. Briggsdale will also face a team they faced to end the season in Flatirons Academy. Briggsdale defeated Flatirons Academy 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-12). I expect a closer match this time around but still expect Briggsdale to advance.
Region 8
#8 Dove Creek over #17 De Beque
Dove Creek is 21-2 on the season with losses to 2A Mancos and 3A Alamosa both hosting regionals in their respective classes. Dove Creek does have some solid wins on their record over Mancos, 4A Pueblo Central, De Beque, Ignacio, and Sangre De Cristo. De Beque is hoping to get revenge from an early season loss to Dove Creek.
Region 9
#9 Haxtun over #16 Belleview Christian
Haxtun ended the season winning 8 of their last 9 games with wins over Otis, Sedgwick County, and Weldon Valley. Haxtun could be a dark horse for a deep playoff run. Belleview Christian will be looking for their best win of the season if they can upset Haxtun.
Region 10
#10 La Veta over #15 Kit Carson
We are in the part of the regional bracket where matchups get much more interesting, and this is the first of those matches. La Veta did defeat Kit Carson in September 3-2 so expect some fireworks in this matchup.
Region 11
#14 Fleming over #11 Cheraw
My first upset pick. Fleming has the tradition and have shown glimpses of being a top team with wins over Holyoke and Haxtun. Cheraw will look to show their 19-4 record is legit. Cheraw has shown they can beat top teams like Kit Carson and Granada.
Region 12
#12 Weldon Valley over #13 Hi-Plains
Two teams who I think are trending in the right direction. In my opinion the best matchup of the regional round. Weldon Valley gets the edge over Hi-Plains due to some key recent wins over Briggsdale and Fleming.
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