Volleyball, class-by-class

By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: August 30, 2006 at 3:34 PM MDT

Getting your player ready...

The 32nd season of volleyball, the most popular girls sport in Colorado, opens five classifications of play today, the first step in a path that will lead to the state championships Nov. 10-11 at the Denver Coliseum. The races appear to be interesting, complete with heavyweights and dark horses. Here’s a class-by-class peek:

Class 5A

Lewis-Palmer coach Susan Odenbaugh spent the summer at Oxford, soaking in the wisdom and history of one of oldest and most respected universities in the world. It’s a safe bet, though, that none of the books or professors there could help Odenbaugh with the conundrum she now faces.

How does a big-school team stop Grandview this season?

The two-time defending state champion Wolves are ranked No. 16 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com and led by 6-foot-5 senior Lindsey Licht, who will further cement her status as one of the best players the state has produced before she goes to Nebraska.

Lewis-Palmer, led by Becci Burling, Kellie Sciacca and 6-2 Olivia Moss, seem the leaders of the pack chasing that pack of Wolves. Besides Licht, the Wolves return Katie Mills, Karina Garlington and Sara Nehf. But junior setter Lauren Van Orden could be the key as Grandview tries to survive a tough Centennial League that includes Eaglecrest (with four starters back) and a young Cherry Creek.

Littleton (Anna Simpson-Mills, Kendall Wyatt and Bridget Whalen) heads up the deep Continental, and Rocky Mountain (Alex Lopez) seems to be the early favorite in the Front Range, although Legacy might turn some heads.

Nationally ranked Pine Creek moves up from 4A and should give Lewis-Palmer a run in Colorado Springs. The south side seems to have the power in Jefferson County behind rivals Chatfield and Columbine (Breanna Williams).

Class 4A

Teams outside the Northern League have been relegated to “look but don’t touch” at state of late. The league has produced the past three champions and begins with five teams in the top 10.

But things could be different.

As tough as defending champion Sterling, Greeley West, Mountain View, Skyline and Fort Morgan might be, there are other strengths to be found.

Hello, Battle Mountain.

The Huskies (Crystin Rodrick) are loaded and have become the fashionable pick to upset the status quo. Coach Brian Doyon said his team is ready to pick up where it left off in last season’s state tournament, where it gained valuable experience.

Hello, Pueblo West. The Cyclones (Jennica Shippy) are loaded with seniors, but still have to prove they can carry a strong regular season into the postseason.

Cheyenne Mountain should head up the Colorado Springs Metro, especially with Pine Creek up in 5A, and Ralston Valley gets the nod in Jefferson County, although Summit (Anicia Santos) will be solid.

Glenwood Springs is always in the mountain mix, but keep an eye on up-and-comers Moffat County and Palisade.

Class 3A

It might sound crass, but it will take something bordering on paranormal to stop Colorado Springs Christian from winning its third state title. Ranked No. 10 in the nation, the Lions are a dream team of sorts.

With All-Colorado returnees Lisa Meeter and Lauren Rosenthal, all-state talents Amy Whitlow and Marissa Hornbaker, and right-side hitter Brit Vidal, the Lions were 31-0 last season and are 106-15 under coach Verlyn Rosenthal.

Bragging rights for the state can be won as the Lions could see Grandview at Eaglecrest’s tournament next month and will host Sterling in a nonleague match.

Any real challengers in the class? Valley (Devin Eckhardt) should head up the list of usual suspects out of the Patriot, Lamar remains strong in the southeast and Faith Christian (Sarah Keiter) is looking for its third straight trip to state.

Class 2A

This should be fun. The second-smallest class figures to be deep, although congested districts will send some deserving teams home before state. Defending champion Fowler returns three players, led by senior middle Katie Anarde, and will be in the mix.

Swink (Breann Nesselhuf) gets the early nod overall, but it’s really a pack mentality at the top.

Byers (Laci Schmidt) will be strong again, as should Hoehne, Simla (RaeLynn Snyder), Sangre de Cristo (Brittany Brown), Mancos, Limon (Whitney Liggett) and Frontier Academy (Paige and Abby Blasco).

And just to make things a little deeper, Burlington (Abby Laverenz) drops in from 3A and 1A power Julesburg is up after joining Revere to become Sedgwick County.

Class 1A

Welcome to a drastically different landscape. Julesburg, champion in 2005 and 2004, is in 2A and perennial finalist McClave is reloading.

So the door is wide open? Kind of. McClave’s cupboard isn’t bare, so the Cardinals should come together nicely with experience.

“We definitely are down,” Cardinals coach Brianne Peecher said. “We’ve lost a lot, but I think we definitely have the potential.”

Peetz (Kristin Gardiner and Tara Long) gets the early nod with Kit Carson and Flagler in tow. Fleming (Lynnae Cox) should be in the mix, as should Eads.

BRIAN FORBES

The Denver Post/9News Poll

CLASS 5A

1. Grandview; 2. Lewis-Palmer; 3. Littleton; 4. Eaglecrest; 5. Rocky Mountain; 6. Cherry Creek; 7. Pine Creek; 8. Heritage; 9. Chatfield; 10. Legacy