One of the Grandview volleyball machine’s seniors picked up a bad knee last week, but don’t expect the two-time defending champions to take a knee.
Middle blocker Katie Mills dislocated her kneecap during the district tournament and was initially told to forget playing for three weeks. However, the UCLA recruit is working hard and predicting a quick comeback.
“Knowing her, she’s going to be trying to get back for state (next week),” Wolves coach Patty Childress said Wednesday. “She’s really a strong kid. That helps her a lot.”
Grandview won the state title in 2004 without Mills’ dominating presence, but was happy to have her in the 2005 final to slow down Chaparral standout Sarah Ammerman.
How much the Wolves will need Mills’ help during this weekend’s regional tournament is anyone’s guess.
The regional tournament consists of 16 teams per classification divided into four pools. The top two teams from each pool advance to the state tournament Nov. 11-12 at the Denver Coliseum.
By virtue of three victories over Grandview this season, Eaglecrest (23-0) sits atop Region A along with a reloaded Chaparral, an up-and-down Lewis-Palmer and Smoky Hill.
Grandview (20-3) is reunited with recent rival Doherty in Region B. Pine Creek (21-2) heads up Region C and Cherry Creek (20-3) is tops in Region D, along with Jeffco rivals Columbine and Chatfield.
And just to add a little emotion to that neighborhood rivalry – Columbine is coached by Kathy Miks, whose daughter, Ellen, plays for Chatfield.
“There’s a good chance one of us will be happy this weekend,” Kathy Miks said.
Defending champion Sterling (22-1) remains the team to beat in Class 4A and should advance without incident. Mountain View, Greeley West, Cheyenne Mountain and Battle Mountain are in a similar comfort zone.
A pack of maybes will make this weekend interesting, especially with a host of battle-tested teams from the Northern League. Skyline, Longmont, Niwot, Fort Morgan and Broomfield have played the best in the state this season and could upset anyone.
Consider talented teams such as Pueblo West and Palisade on notice.
Gunnison will get its first glimpse of two-time defending Class 3A champion Colorado Springs Christian on Saturday. Behind twins Ali and Jenna Browder, Katie Vader and Kelsey Huckle, the Cowboys are 21-3 this season despite having no girls taller than 5-foot-8.
After CSCS, the talent seems well-spread, but watch for talented lower seeds Holy Family, Middle Park, The Classical Academy and Platte Valley.
Sedgwick County who? Most still probably get caught by the name, but don’t forget that these Lions are mostly Julesburg in disguise. Julesburg won the past two 1A titles before merging with neighboring Revere and bumping to 2A.
Sedgwick County roars out of 2A’s Region B, but all the clamor will come from a packed Region D that will sadly eliminate two extremely talented squads.
Hoehne and Limon earned the top seeds from districts 6 and 8, while defending champion Fowler lurks along with Simla (22-1).
And while Colorado Springs has been rightfully buzzing about the strengths of its bigger squads, tiny Hanover is feeling a little stung by the lack of attention paid to the 22-1 Hornets.
Behind seniors Megan Lenz, Maylene Christopher and Chante Roane, the Hornets enter the Class 1A field in the dreaded Region C, which includes four-time state champion Flagler, two-time champion Otis and Liberty (Joes).
Experience will be key, Hanover coach Carol Benedict said. The Hornets have leaned on their seniors but need their three sophomores to continue to step up if they are going to make it to state – a destination Benedict is pretty sure the program never has achieved.
“These girls have been playing together since they were in seventh grade,” Benedict said.
Of late, no 1A playoff would be complete without McClave, which is in Region B along with a talented Kit Carson squad.
North Park and La Veta head up Region A, and Fleming and Peetz head up Region D along with prep school Denver Waldorf and Northglenn-based Community Christian.
