CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
Usually, you have to wait until the weekend to get the really big matches, but this week, the first half of the week in Class 1A is loaded. We’ll take a peek at some of those huge contests, using the CHSAA
Selection and Seeding Index. The rankings are from Tuesday morning’s release of the metric.

TUESDAY

1 MERINO (11-0) AT 2A #6 WIGGINS (7-6)

Yeah, it’s an LPAA league showdown, but it is also a match-up of last year’s champs in both 1A and 2A.
Merino has compiled a 34-6 record against competition above the Class 1A ranks since the spring of 2021. Five of those six losses have been to the Lady Tigers.

2 STRATTON (10-1) AT 2A #34 LIMON (5-9)

Despite its losing record, Limon is just one game back of Stratton in the Union Pacific standings. Stratton won the league title last year and has only dropped one set in its first three UP contests so far. That was last Tuesday against Flagler. The Lady Eagles have a tough trip to Otis later this week, and will also host their annual Stratton Bash on Saturday, with a number of potential regional qualifiers in the bracket.

9 SARGENT (14-0) VS 2A #26 BUENA VISTA (7-6)

The Lady Farmers just keep rolling along, but they have been falling in the Seeding Index due to the
caliber of competition on the schedule. This could be more of the same, with the Lady Demons close to
the middle of the pack in 2A. Still, the focus is on controlling the controllables, and that means stacking up as many wins as possible.

21 CHEYENNE WELLS (6-8) AT #12 GENOA-HUGO/KARV AL (9-4)

This non-league match has two teams who need wins to maintain their respective positions in the
postseason outlook. Cheyenne Wells is hoping it was able to right the ship last weekend and keep a grip
on one of the final qualifying spots. Genoa-Hugo/Karval currently owns the final hosting spot, but has a tough closing schedule left to play.

THURSDAY

1 MERINO AT 2A #2 SIMLA (16-0)

This clash of titans was originally scheduled for last month, but was postponed due to the tragic passing
of a recent Simla graduate. Both schools were able to find a date to make it up and what a doozy it should be. The teams met for last year’s 1A state championship, which Merino won in a sweep. The Lady Rams also earned a sweep earlier in the tournament, and have won all four meetings in the last two years. Only last season’s regular season match-up went more than three, with that one going a full five.

3 FLEMING (11-2) AT #20 WELDON V ALLEY (5-8)

After being swept by Weldon Valley last year, Fleming is looking to return the favor. The Lady Wildcats earned a 3-0 win at home back on September 19th, taking the victory 25-19/16/13. Ciana Lousberg (10), Quincy Stull (9), and Ashley Bornhoft (8) combined for 27 kills.

4 IDALIA (12-2) VS #12 GENOA-HUGO/KARV AL

Idalia steps out of YWKC play to face another highly-ranked foe. The Lady Wolves were unbeaten until two weeks ago, but suffered losses to Stratton and Simla on consecutive days. They host the top-ranked team in 2A, Sedgwick County, on Saturday and can’t afford to get caught looking ahead to that match.

7 MCCLA VE (11-5) VS #22 SOUTH BACA (12-6)

Despite dealing with key injuries all season, McClave needs one more victory to win the High Plains league title. That will have to wait for two more weeks, as the Lady Cards step away from league play for their next three contests. First up is a date with the leader in the Ark Valley, a South Baca Lady Patriot squad that has recorded double digits in the win column for just the fifth time in the MaxPreps era (2007-current). They’re coming of the Moscow (KS) tournament where they won three of five matches last
Saturday.