Volleyball, Colorado’s most popular girls sport, tips off today with a full slate.
Here’s a class-by-class look:
Class 5A
The defending champion Class 5A Grandview Wolves are ranked No. 3 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com after finishing 13th overall last fall.
“That’s what I heard,” Grandview coach Patty Childress said with a trace of laughter.
Why are folks so high on the Wolves? They return 6-foot-4 All-Colorado player Lindsey Licht and got 6-1 junior Katie Mills as a surprise transfer from Steamboat Springs to complement a talented core.
Childress suspects much of the national attention comes from several of her players winning a national championship this summer with the Front Range club. Licht was tournament MVP playing alongside Mills and sophomore Karina Garlington.
“The thing that impressed me is the way she is putting the ball down and just getting on top of the ball,” Childress said of Licht.
Competition in the Centennial League remains rugged for the Wolves with upstart Eaglecrest, Cherry Creek and Smoky Hill (minus All-Colorado standout Rachel Holloway) in the mix.
Second-ranked Heritage gets a chance to knock off Grandview tonight in a nonleague match. The Eagles have offensive stars Kristy Jaeckel, Lauren Jaeckel and Jaclyn Bruns.
The Eagles’ keys: “How much people want it and their intensity,” coach Doug Schafer said.
They will have their hands full in the deep Continental League, which includes Chaparral, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Ponderosa and up-and-coming Mountain Vista.
The Front Range League battle will be interesting with Northglenn, Rocky Mountain and Fort Collins expected to improve.
Lewis-Palmer should head Colorado Springs, although Doherty and Rampart should be good.
Durango’s Cinderella run last season has the Demons up for more in the Southwestern, while Brighton will defend its stake in the Skyline. East and South should head the DPL; and Columbine, Arvada West, Chatfield and Pomona lead Jefferson County.
Class 4A
Sterling is the consensus No. 1. Its strength is in the middle behind junior all-state selections Schylur Edelman and Danielle Minch.
The Tigers impressed in the summer, except for one little bump – call it a nudge – from two-time defending champion Mountain View, which dropped Sterling in the final of Fort Morgan’s tournament.
Mountain View returns Sarah Carson and Karyn Denboer in the tough Northern League.
Fort Morgan, Windsor and Greeley West are tough, too. Also, keep an eye on Skyline.
Cheyenne Mountain returns seven starters and should remain the team to beat in Colorado Springs. Pine Creek will compete, as will Falcon and Sand Creek.
Pueblo West, 23-3 last year, hopes to remain the class of the South Central League behind its junior-dominated team. Pueblo Central and Alamosa should provide the biggest push.
Out west, Montezuma-Cortez turned some heads over the summer, and Palisade is coming off a 24-2 season.
Jeffco will be in a state of flux as powerhouse Ralston Valley is reloading. It’s good news for Elizabeth, Conifer and Evergreen.
Class 3A
Defending champion Colorado Springs Christian might be the second-best team in the state, behind 5A powerhouse Grandview. The Lions are loaded.
Consider their list of returning all-state selections: Meghan Cunningham, Marisa Hornbaker, Lisa Meeter, Lauren Rosenthal and Amy Whitlow. Oh, and more bad news for the state: Only Cunningham is a senior.
The Patriot League’s three divisions will continue to have the best game-by-game volleyball. All the regulars are back: Eaton (behind Washington commitment Kindra Carlson), Valley, Platte Valley and Weld Central.
St. Mary’s (Colorado Springs) remains a threat with Kaitlyn Burkett, while Manitou Springs should be much improved. Pagosa Springs is tall and under the new leadership of former club coach Andy Rice.
Middle Park remains the favorite in the Metropolitan League.
Class 2A
It’s almost like a card trick. A little shuffling, some waves of the hand and voila! Resurrection Christian (in Loveland) is the team that has everyone’s attention, most of that coming from senior Stevie Gonzales.
Defending champion Byers already was very young before the Bulldogs lost all-state selection Landree MacLennan to a knee injury. Limon has Whitney Liggett back and the kind of depth that can carry a team in 2A.
Frontier Academy (in Greeley) has the Blasco sisters – Abby and Paige – and will try to build upon last year’s state berth.
Meeker will be tough and the defensive-minded Cubs of Simla are always a factor. Las Animas, Fowler and Crowley County also deserve attention.
Class 1A
Defending champion Julesburg, 29-1 last year, still must be handled before teams can start thinking about a title.
No surprise here, but McClave has the height and remains an ever-present threat.
Most of the faces are the same.
Flagler returns four starters and is packed with natural ability. Coach Pam Fagerlund sees the potential for “one of the best teams we’ve ever had here.”
Merino is strong, and Vail Christian should be a factor.
The new face is Fleming, which was 2-17 a year ago but very well could reverse that mark this season.
