Nowhere is the feeling of wide-open spaces more apparent than in Class 4A. Division I talent left in droves last season, and the heavyweights are retooling. So who will fill the void? Mountain View, which has played in the past three state finals, gets the early nod based on tradition and the steadying force of all-state senior setter Megan Roark, possibly the best in the state at her position. Of course, Mountain View coach Lindsey Stinson isn’t sold on any team. “I’ve had a lot of conversations with coaches,” she said. “Every classification is just wide open this year. There are so many different teams this year that have the chance to be there at the end.” If a dark horse emerges, expect it to come from the rich Northern League, where the stalwarts (Sterling, Greeley West and Fort Morgan) will have to contend with the up-and-comers (Longmont and Berthoud). Defending champion Battle Mountain and Cheyenne Mountain should be in the mix. Although young, Pueblo West looks good in the south, while Conifer might have the lead in Jeffco.
Teams to watch
1. Mountain View; 2. Cheyenne Mountain; 3. Battle Mountain; 4. Centaurus; 5. Longmont; 6. Sterling; 7. Greeley West; 8. Cherokee Trail; 9. Steamboat Springs; 10. Pueblo West.
Returning all-state players
Devon Abbott, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Katie Bussey, Alamosa, Sr.; Emily Greenhalgh, Conifer, Sr.; Bri Morley, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Megan Roark, Mountain View, Sr.; Evan Sanders, Centaurus, Sr.
