CLASS 3A VOLLEYBALL EARLY WEEK PREVIEW – AUG. 27TH-29TH
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The new volleyball season gets heated up this week, with a full slate of action on the daily. As we did last year, we’ll break each week into two portions, the early week that covers Tuesday through Thursday, and weekend, for matches scheduled from Friday through Monday. All rankings come from the MileHigh Prep Report Media/Coaches poll.
TUESDAY
#2 Eaton at 4A Windsor
It’s the season-opener for both programs and Eaton is looking to avenge last year’s 3-0 loss to the Lady Wizards. Madeline Smith hit a ridiculous .483 with 17 kills in that loss. Evie Gavette led everyone with 23 digs. Kadence Marsh shared the lead for Windsor with nine kills.
#5 Alamosa vs Manitou Springs
Alamosa has won the last two meetings with Manitou Springs, the last coming in the 2022 State tournament. Manitou Springs lost its opener last week, with the Lady Mustangs falling to Pueblo Central in a sweep.
OUTSIDE THE TOP-10
D’Evelyn at Kent Denver
Kent Denver sits just outside of the top-10 in this week’s poll as the Lady Sun Devils get their season underway. Freshman Hazel Hermes had seven kills for D’Evelyn in a four-set loss to DSST: Conservatory Green last week.
Windsor Charter Academy at 4A Severance
Windsor Charter had a strong opening weekend, winning all four matches at the Addenbroke Ambush in 2-0 sweeps. Severance got 11 kills and six aces from Peightan Swanson in a sweep victory of Liberty Common last Thursday.
2A Caprock Academy at Olathe
Caprock Academy lost a single set in going 3-0 last weekend, but steps up to face a team from a larger classification. Rebecca Taylor served five aces for Olathe in a sweep victory of Soroco in the only match so far for the Lady Pirates.
4A Wellington at Peak to Peak
Wellington went 3-0 in tournament play last Saturday, dropping just one set along the way. Peak to Peak bounced back from a season-opening five-set loss to go 4-0 on Saturday in a tournament. Alexandra Eschmeyer racked up 31 kills in the first weekend of the season.
Banning Lewis Academy at 2A #10 Calhan
Banning Lewis opened the season at the Addenbroke Ambush and went 3-1, with the loss coming against 2A Denver Christian. The Lady Stallions had a balanced attack, with Lydia Cady (17), Natalie Schoofs (16), and Persephone Phinney (12) all recording double digit kills during the tournament. Calhan, coming off a 22-win season, got the year off on the right foot with a four-set win over Kiowa.
THURSDAY
#3 Platte Valley vs 2A #3 Wiggins
Platte Valley swept former 3A Patriot foe (now 4A) Timnath in the opener behind 13 kills from Karsyn Fetzer and a dozen more from Hayden Hanes. Lauryn Uyemura racked up 31 assists. Wiggins finished runner-up in its own tournament on Saturday, sweeping #8 Valley and 1A #3 McClave, and then getting swept by 2A #2 Simla.
#8 Valley vs Prospect Ridge Academy
Valley had a bumpy start last weekend, following a win over Northridge with a 1-2 day at the Wiggins tourney. The Lady Vikings suffered the sweep by the hosts and lost to 1A #3 McClave in three before getting back on track with a sweep of Liberty Common. Kendyll Mayhugh is off to a good start, putting together 24 kills in the first weekend. Prospect Ridge Academy swept DSST: Montview in its only match so far.
#9 Strasburg at Bennett
Moving back up from a cycle in 2A, Strasburg opens the season against its rival from Bennett. The two programs have not played since 2021, when the Lady Indians collected a four-set victory.
#10 Sterling at Sidney (NE)
Ady Santomaso hammered 10 kills and Shayleigh Ulrich added 23 assists in Sterling’s season-opening sweep at St. Mary’s last week. The Lady Tigers travel north across the border to face a Sidney program that had won three straight in the series prior to Sterling’s five-set victory last year. Santomaso had 15 kills in that meeting.
OUTSIDE THE TOP-10
Peak to Peak at Liberty Common
Liberty Common has struggled to get out of the gates, losing its first four matches of the season, without winning a single set. After winning four straight in the series, Peak to Peak has dropped the last five against Liberty Common. Last year, Eliana Macy had 14 assists and five aces for the victorious Lady Eagles, who won in a sweep.
Salida at 2A Buena Vista
It’s a rivalry match when the Lady Spartans head north to face Buena Vista on Thursday. Salida won it’s first two matches this season before falling against 2A Mancos on Saturday. Buena Vista also suffered a four-set loss to Mancos, and beat Telluride in five. The Lady Demons have had the upper hand in the series, winning 20 of the last 26 meetings. That includes a current four-game winning streak. BV won last year’s match in five, taking the fifth 22-20.
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