The 2016 CHSAA volleyball postseason begins Friday and Saturday with regional play at gymnasiums across the state. The Denver Post breaks down everything you need to know about the chase for the 5A state championship:
THE FAVORITES: No. 2 (21-2) has been the top team in the polls for much of the season, and players such as junior outside hitter Keeley Davis (338 kills, 56 blocks), senior libero Reven Bradbury (270 digs) and senior setter Skylar Lane (797 assists) give the Jaguars balance in all phases of the game. … No. 1 (20-3) has the best underclass players in the state in sophomore rightside Catie Semadeni (223 kills), sophomore outside hitter Riley Zuhn (229 kills) and sophomore outside hitter Mataya Megson (60 blocks), but it’s seniors such as libero Lauren Rice (296 digs) that make this team truly dangerous. … No. 4 Chatfield (21-2) is no stranger to the big stage, as Stephanie Schick’s program booked its fourth 20-win season in five years and is led by senior outside hitter Haley Fuller (226 kills), senior rightside Sierra Bartley (207 kills), junior middle blocker Julia Eiken (53 blocks) and senior setter Addy Plant (518 assists).
THE CONTENDERS: No. 3 Fairview (19-4) won the ultra-competitive Front Range League and is riding a nine-match win streak heading into regionals. … No. 5 (19-4) has a reliable group of seniors in middle hitter Maya Patterson, middle blocker Asiya Way, outside hitter Chase Jackson and setter Amirah Bentley that can carry the Angels to a title. … No. 6 Chaparral (16-7) played 5A’s toughest schedule and has racked up quality wins this fall over Arapahoe (3-0 on Sept. 2), Grandview (3-0 on Sept. 13), Rampart (3-1 on Oct. 8) and (3-0 on Oct. 25). … No. 7 (18-5) has been ascending toward a title run for some time now, and has the ammunition to do it with senior Alyssa Oswald (238 kills) leading the attack. … No. 10 Arapahoe (18-5) got a taste of state last year, and is hungry to get back there again with the likes of seniors Killy Winz (323 kills) and Jayden Liberty (246 kills) paving the way.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior outside hitter Erin Gillcrist (third in 5A with 355 kills), senior middle blocker Ty Stiller (first in 5A with 108 blocks) and senior libero Celeste Barron-Nicoletti (second in 5A with 480 digs) have the ability to put No. 22 Lakewood on their backs in Region 3 action at Fairview. … Junior setter Kyra Parker (first in 5A with 818 assists) headlines a potent No. 8 Rampart team capable of doing lots of damage on their home floor in regionals, and then at the state tournament. … Junior setter Lauren Lowry (third in 5A with 768 assists) and her freshman sister, libero Leanne Lowry (third in 5A with 468 digs), make No. 21 a team to contend with in Region 4 action at Chatfield. … No. 18 Grandview may be one of the shortest teams in the regional round, but Rob Graham’s Wolves are capable of playing spoiler in Region 7 action at Mountain Vista, thanks to the play of junior middle blocker Kylee Harr and senior outside hitter Marina Schlaepfer. … The hopes of No. 23 upsetting Rock Canyon in Region 2 action depend largely on the ability of sophomore libero Annika Larson (first in 5A with 482 digs) to control the Jaguars’ repeated thunderous spikes.
