The Eaglecrest volleyball team looks just fine flying by the seat of its pants.
The Class 5A Raptors won both of their matches Friday in the first round of pool play in the state volleyball tournament at the Denver Coliseum, during a day of chaos in the highest classification.
Playing in the state tournament for the first time since 1996, the Raptors booked their tickets to today’s semifinal round with their Friday victories.
The state championship matches will begin tonight at 7 for all classifications.
“We’re having a ton of fun,” Eaglecrest’s Kristen Schevikhoven said. “All the teams are just so out to get the No. 1 spot because everyone is working for it and everyone is here for a reason. I wouldn’t say it’s ugly; I just say everyone is battling in each pool.”
Defending champion Grandview (25-3), which had to rally to advance out of Pool 2, joins Eaglecrest (27-1) in the semis.
Third-seeded Heritage was eliminated thanks to defeats by Doherty (21-7) and Rocky Mountain (21-7), who will play this morning for Pool 2’s remaining semifinal berth.
In Pool 1, fifth-seeded Lewis- Palmer (22-6) can advance with a victory over Littleton, while Chaparral, in its first state tournament, needs the Rangers to lose and beat Eaglecrest to advance.
Grandview teetered in its first match as Rocky Mountain gave the Wolves all they could handle.
The Lobos’ high energy and solid defense, led by Alex Lopez and Stephanie Hejde, had the Wolves down two games to one before Grandview rallied to force a decisive fifth game.
Grandview trailed until grabbing the lead for good at 12-11 and put the Lobos down 15-13, thanks to late kills by all-Colorado junior Lindsey Licht and Sara Nehf.
In 4A, favorite Sterling (28-0) and Greeley West (25-3) will advance to the semis out of Pool 1. Seventh-seeded Glenwood Springs (24-4) made sure Pool 2 will come down to the wire.
Sterling and Greeley West disposed of Pine Creek and Fort Morgan, respectively. That’s business as usual for the top- seeded Tigers, but Greeley West continues to defy the odds using a small lineup and multiple substitutions.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know you can count on every person on the team and know that everyone can put a ball away and everyone can dig a ball,” Spartans outside hitter Hilary Mekelburg said. “Not just one star; there’s 14 of us.”
Two-time defending champion Mountain View (26-2) advanced out of Pool 2, and Glenwood Springs can advance today with a victory over rival Battle Mountain (23-5).
If the Demons lose, Cheyenne Mountain (25-3) can advance with a win over Mountain View.
In 3A, the sixth-seeded St. Mary’s Pirates (20-8) scuttled the status quo in Pool 2 by knocking off higher seeds Valley (25-3) and Hotchkiss (23-4), which play each other today for the remaining semifinal berth.
“I think we’ve kind of been under the radar all season, and we’re finally stepping up,” Pirates standout Kaitlyn Burkett said. “We always improve throughout the season, and that’s a good sign for our program.”
Defending 3A champion Colorado Springs Christian (28-0) won its 57th and 58th consecutive matches to head up Pool 1 along with Eaton (21-8), which also advanced to the semis with wins over Platte Valley and Lamar.
In 2A, top-seeded Fowler (26-1) is in the semis out of Pool 1 as is Las Animas (25-3) in Pool 2.
In Pool 2, sixth-seeded Simla (26-2) swept No. 2 Resurrection Christian (26-2). The Cubs, led by sophomore outside hitter RaeLynn Snyder, can advance with a win today over Mancos or a loss by Resurrection Christian to Las Animas.
Sangre de Cristo (24-2) is in a similar situation in Pool 1. The Thunderbirds can advance with a win today over Wiggins or if Meeker (22-7) loses to Fowler.
Defending 1A champion Julesburg (27-0) advances out of Pool 1 along with Flagler (24-2), although fifth-seeded Kit Carson pushed both squads to the brink.
Kit Carson took both the higher seeds to five games, losing 15-13 to Flagler in the morning and 15-8 to Julesburg.
In Pool 2, McClave (23-3) and the Aubrie Apple-led Vail Mountain Gore Rangers (27-1) advance to the semis.
