CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT by Kerry Sherman

Picture by Katti Gardner (Dove Creek vs Monte Vista)

CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

This weekend’s slate of contests gives us a number of ranked vs ranked matches in 1A, and even some featuring teams ranked in 1A against top 2A squads. All of the rankings used in this preview are from Friday morning’s release of the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index. While we are highlighting a good chunk of those matches with highly-ranked teams in action, we also want to take a peek at some that might be under the radar.

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FRIDAY

#1 MERINO (13-0) VS 2A #2 SEDGWICK COUNTY (15-2)

Before heading into Saturday’s Sterling tournament, Merino can take a huge step towards claiming the LPAA title with a win over the second-ranked team in 2A. Both teams are two games clear of Haxtun, Wiggins, and Holyoke. Merino has already beaten all three, while Sedgwick County still has Haxtun and Holyoke on its schedule.

#2 IDALIA (17-2) VS #4 OTIS (15-4)

Idalia knows it wins the YWKC crown with a victory, while Otis can force a three-way tie with a win. The Lady Bulldogs have a 28-4 record in the series since 2007, but Idalia has handed Otis two of its three regular season league losses in that stretch. Otis has won three straight overall, with the Lady Wolves last gaining the upper hand in 2021.

#3 STRATTON (15-2) VS #10 HI-PLAINS (13-7)

This is a rematch of last Saturday’s championship contest in the Stratton Bash. The Lady Eagles won in three to claim their fifth straight title in their annual tournament. They locked up no less than a share of the Union Pacific crown by beating 2A Byers on Tuesday. Hi-Plains can still grab a portion of the YWKC title with Otis beats Idalia, thanks to a win over the Lady Bulldogs earlier in the season. Both of these teams are currently in position to host a regional.

#5 FLEMING (13-3) VS #14 BRIGGSDALE (9-6)

Fleming earns the outright title in the North Central with a win, and the Lady Wildcats already own a 3-0 victory over the Lady Falcons last month. A win by Briggsdale creates a tie, and with a head-to-head split, the league would have to start going deeper into the tiebreaking process.

#6 MCCLAVE (13-5) AT HOLLY (7-11)

McClave has won its last four matches, dropping only one set along the way. This is a non-league clash, but the Lady Cardinals would love to carry momentum into next week’s High Plains showdown with #12 Eads. Holly is well outside of the postseason picture, but the Lady Wildcats are only one win away from matching the program’s highest win total in the last six years.

#7 SARGENT (16-0) VS 2A PEYTON (5-14)

The Lady Farmers have already sewn up the Southern Peaks championship, so now they’re playing for regional seeding. After their last two matches went five sets, and with a tough match against 2A Mancos on Saturday, they have to keep their focus on the task at hand.

#8 DOVE CREEK (17-1) VS DOLORES (6-11)

Dove Creek has a two-match lead in the San Juan Basin, with four to go. A second victory over Dolores would put the Lady Bulldogs on the precipice of winning the league. The Lady Bears enter the contest having won their last outing, and will be looking to post consecutive victories for the first time this season.

#11 FLATIRONS ACADEMY (15-3) VS #18 WELDON VALLEY (7-10)

Flatirons Academy leads the Mile High by a game over 2A programs Heritage Christian and Lyons. The Lady Bison are trying to maintain a regional hosting position against a Weldon Valley squad that is looking to improve its current spot in the bracket.

#12 EADS (11-3) AT KIT CARSON (1-18)

Eads currently occupies the final hosting position for the regional bracket, but the Lady Eagles have lost two of their last three. They did get back on track with a tough five-set win over Prairie last Saturday. Kit Carson is just trying to get a second win, with the Lady Wildcats having dropped their last 18 matches after opening the season by beating Wiley.

SATURDAY

CALICHE TOURNAMENT

Caliche (#26) is still in the mix for a final at large spot in the postseason, and the Lady Buffs look to help their chances in their own tournament. Lone Star (#24) currently owns the final spot in the bracket, but could get bumped by #25 South Baca, if the Lady Patriots win the Ark Valley title. Lone Star and Caliche are joined in the tournament by Springfield and Peetz.

STERLING TOURNAMENT

Top-ranked Merino is part of a loaded field in the Sterling tourney. The Lady Rams have matches with Colorado Springs Christian (2A #5), Centauri (3A #25), Sterling (3A #9), and Severance (4A #13).