The following is a look at the marquee matches to watch this week in the 5A soccer state tournament, plus important late-regular season showdowns in volleyball.
SOCCER
No. 32 Monarch (6-7-2) at No. 1 Denver East (15-0), Thursday, T.B.D., East High School: The undefeated Angels begin pursuit of the program’s fourth state title with a dynamic offense highlighted by senior Max Gottesfeld (16 goals), junior Sam Carson (14 goals) and junior Eli Miller (12 goals).
No. 22 Greeley West (8-7) at No. 11 Rangeview (12-2-1), Thursday, 6 p.m., Aurora Public Schools Stadium: The Raiders won three matches in overtime this fall, making them a cool-under-fire side with the talented likes of senior Jalen Sanchez (nine goals) and senior keeper Jose Helguera Lopez.
No. 23 Bear Creek (10-5) at No. 10 Mountain Vista (9-4-2), Thursday, 4 p.m., Shea Stadium: After a Cinderella run to the state title game as a 28 seed last season, watch out for crafty coach Theresa Echtermeyer and the Golden Eagles to make another deep tournament run.
VOLLEYBALL
No. 7 Fossil Ridge (16-2) at Lakewood (11-7), Tuesday, 6 p.m.: The Sabercats’ sensational sophomore duo of Catie Semadeni (181 kills) and Riley Zuhn (168 kills) heads into a non-conference showdown against senior Erin Gillcrist (fourth in 5A with 277 kills) and the Tigers.
Cheyenne Mountain (13-5) at No. 5 Denver East (14-3), Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.: The defending 4A state champions head north to battle the Angels, who won the Front Range League title and are headlined by senior Chase Jackson (179 kills).
No. 1 Rock Canyon (16-1) at No. 4 Highlands Ranch (13-4), Thursday, 6 p.m.: The Jaguars’ lone loss this year came to the Falcons in the Regis Tournament on Sept. 3; now two of the state’s top terminators in Rock Canyon junior Keeley Davis and Highlands Ranch senior Melissa Evans square off in a game that could very well decide the Continental League title.
Grandview (12-7) at Valor Christian (14-3), Friday, 4:30 p.m.: The Wolves begin Cheyenne Mountain Tournament play with a duel against the 4A heavyweight Eagles, and expect Grandview junior Kylee Harr (159 kills) and Valor Christian junior Lily Thomason (137 kills) to put on a show.
