CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT by Kerry Sherman

Picture by Heidi Krise & OTsportsChek (Prairie vs Briggsdale)

CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

Many of the top-24 teams in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index were either involved in Friday matches or will see action on Saturday or Monday. Before looking at the two latter dates, we want to take a quick look back at Friday. The rankings come from the Saturday morning release of the metric.

This article is Sponsored by: Walker Mower located in Haxtun CO as well as various locations in Colorado. Walker Mower provides Fast, Easy, and Beautiful Mowing. Made in the USA and built in Colorado!

FRIDAY

Top-ranked Merino got pushed by a highly-ranked 2A Haxtun, with the Lady Rams having to rally after dropping the opening set. They would go on to win in four. Fleming, ranked #2, went to #11 Hi-Plains and picked up a 3-0 sweep. In another match-up of highly-ranked squads, #3 Stratton swept #16 Granada on the road.

The YWKC saw #4 Idalia get pushed by #32 Arickaree/Woodlin, but the Lady Wolves kept the league lead with a sweep. Dove Creek (#6) ran its winning streak to 10 by sweeping 2A Center. There was a top-10 showdown in the High Plains, where #9 Cheraw upset #7 Eads in a road sweep. Eighth-ranked Otis took a 3-0 sweep on the road at #13 Briggsdale.

Primero (#17) picked up its second straight win since losing to #5 Sargent two weeks back, beating Sierra Grande in four. Evangel Christian (#18) had to work hard to beat Belleview Christian in four. Speaking of working hard, #22 De Beque had to go five to beat North Park on the road in the Western Slope.

SATURDAY

Dove Creek puts its winning streak on the line at winless Ouray. The Lady Bulldogs are 6-0 in the San Juan Basin, holding a half-game lead over 2A Mancos. Ouray is 0-6, alone in the cellar, but only one game back of Nucla and Ridgway.

Sargent is unbeaten overall and the Lady Farmers will host Mountain Valley. Mountain Valley lost twice on Friday to Centennial, both in sweeps. It’s the leader of the Southern Peaks and the league’s sixth place squad.

We get two highly-ranked squads squaring off in non-league play, with #10 McClave visiting Hi-Plains. The Lady Cards beat Granada in four earlier this week, but they’re just 3-2 in their last five. With Friday’s loss to Fleming, Hi-Plains is just 2-3 in its last five.

Genoa-Hugo/Karval (#14) goes on the road to take on #28 Flagler in Union Pacific action. The Lady Pirates are 2-2 in league play, putting them fourth, Flagler is 1-3, sitting just ahead of last place Deer Trail. The Lady Panthers had their modest two-match winning streak snapped earlier in the week by Stratton.

Sitting 20^th in the rankings, South Baca, the leader in the Ark Valley, hits the road for the Moscow (KS) tournament. The Lady Patriots have won three straight heading into the tourney. They’ll face Minneola (KS), Yarbrough (OK), and Moscow in the event.

Prairie (#21) hosts #27 Caliche in a non-league match, that has big postseason implications. The Lady Mustangs are currently in the regional bracket, while the visiting Lady Buffs are just outside. Those positions could flip with an upset.

Cheyenne Wells (#23) needs a win to break a four-match slide, and the Lady Tigers will host Kit Carson, who just needs a win. The Lady Wildcats have dropped their last 16 matches after opening the season with a victory over Wiley. It’s a big rivalry contest inside the High Plains.

MONDAY

Cheraw looks to back up its big win over Eads when #29 Springfield pays a visit. Springfield has dropped its last three. Two of the three were against teams currently in the bracket.

Flatirons Academy (#15) is unbeaten in the Mile High, just one win behind Heritage Christian. The Lady Bison put a five-match winning streak on the line against Highland, who sits right in the middle of the pack in the huge conference.

Granada has lost two of its last three, with the win coming against Springfield. The Lady Bobcats will host another team out of the Ark Valley, one who will be making a very short drive. Holly has won its last two following a four-match slide. The Lady Wildcats hold a 21-6 lead in the rivalry series since 2007, but Granada is riding a five-match winning streak.

Evangel Christian is third in the Black Forest, but only trails the leader, #25 Elbert, by a game in the loss column. The Lady Eagles have two fewer wins, putting them a game and a half back. They will visit The Colorado Springs School, who’s only win of the season has come in league play. The Lady Kodiaks have lost two straight, while ECA has won two in a row.