CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The final weekend of the regular season is upon us, and the final at large berth into the postseason bracket is still up for grabs. There are a number of big matches on the schedule, but we’re focusing on the ones that will decide who gets the last hosting spot, and who will complete the bracket. We are using the Friday morning release of the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index.
FRIDAY
#13 GENOA-HUGO/KARVAL (14-8) VS HANOVER (4-15)
Genoa-Hugo/Karval trails #12 Cheraw by just under 0.001 in the Seeding Index, so the Lady Pirates are still very much in contention to earn the final hosting spot. They are on a three-match winning streak, but are just 4-4 in their last eight. The Lady Hornets have had struggles all year, and are just 1-8 in their last nine.
#14 BRIGGSDALE (12-8) AT DEER TRAIL (11-8)
Briggsdale is 5-3 in its last eight, but closing out the regular season with a pair of wins this weekend could very well propel the Lady Falcons into that #12 spot, earning them a home match in the regional round. Deer Trail is 5-5 in its last 10, but has a shot at putting a major dent in those hopes for Briggsdale.
#15 LA VETA (14-8) VS MANZANOLA (0-19)
The good news for La Veta is that a win officially locks up the Fishers Peak title. The bad news is that it could possibly hurt the Lady Redhawks in the Seeding Index. La Veta lost its last outing and is 5-5 in the last 10. Manzanola has been swept in 18 of its 19 matches, with only a five-set loss to Hanover breaking up the streak.
#16 EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (15-7) AT 2A PEYTON (5-17)
ECA has won its last eight overall, dropping one set along the way. In that streak, the Lady Eagles locked up the Black Forest title. Peyton has dropped its last five and is just 3-7 in the last 10.
#21 PRAIRIE (10-12) VS KIOWA (10-10)
Despite a loss to top-ranked Merino on Thursday, Prairie actually moved up a spot in the Index. The Lady Mustangs have struggled down the stretch, posting a 4-6 mark in their last 10. Two of the wins came against teams that will qualify for the 2A postseason. All six losses are to regional qualifiers. Kiowa nearly won the Black Forest, but lost out on a tiebreaker. They are 6-4 in their last 10.
#22 LONE STAR (12-10) AT #17 WELDON VALLEY (10-12)
If Lone Star can hold onto its current rank, the Lady Longhorns would be in the postseason field, with either #24 South Baca or #25 Mile High Academy, both league champions, guaranteed the #23 spot, and the other locked in at #24. The Lady Longhorns won all three matches at the Caliche tournament two weeks ago, but haven’t played since. They are 6-1 in their last seven. Weldon Valley has won two straight, including a sweep of 4A Fort Morgan on Thursday, and is 6-4 in the last 10.
#23 DE BEQUE (13-8) VS 2A #11 RANGELY (18-4)
Sitting right on the cut line, De Beque will get a significant boost in the Index from playing such a high caliber opponent, but a win by the Lady Dragons could be the only thing that gets them into the bracket. The margins between 21 and 23 are very small, so the final spot in the field could go out four or even five decimal spaces to be determined. De Beque is 11-3 in the last 14 matches. Rangely is trying to hold onto a hosting spot in 2A, and a win guarantees that.
SATURDAY
#12 EADS (12-5) AT #6 OTIS (17-5)
The gap between Eads at #12 and Cheraw at #11 is pretty significant, so it looks like the only chance for the Lady Eagles to move up is with a win over the Lady Bulldogs. Otis has won two straight and six of its last seven overall, while Eads has lost its last two, and four of the last six.
#4 STRATTON (18-4) AT #14 BRIGGSDALE (12-8)
Stratton is comfortably in a hosting spot, with the Lady Eagles having won seven of their last nine. Pending the outcome of its Friday night contest, Briggsdale could be in line to grab the final hosting spot with an upset.
MileHigh Prep Report 