Centennial League

Favorite: Mullen

Outlook: As the only Centennial League team that is a Class 4A school, Mullen drops down for the playoffs. To receive an automatic bid for the district round, the Mustangs must win at least 25 percent of their overall matches. If they don’t meet that standard, then the Mustangs still can qualify by having the best winning percentage among all the other non-qualifying 4A teams in the state. Mullen has five returning starters and should qualify for the playoffs, despite the excellence of the league’s top teams.

Key players (all Mullen): S Rachel Keyes, So.; MB Allison O’Callaghan, Jr.; OH Sara Valentine, Sr.; MB Cassie Herringer, Jr.; RS Samar Trujillo, Sr.; S Emma Crnkovich, Sr.; L Allison Fletcher, Jr.

Continental League

Favorite: Regis

Contender: Rock Canyon

Outlook: Although this league has three Class 4A teams, newcomer Castle View will not play varsity this season and will not be eligible for the playoffs. A powerhouse in other girls sports, Regis is making strides in volleyball. The Raiders had a winning record last year, but have a lot of new faces this season and a top player will miss a couple weeks because of an ankle injury. Rock Canyon is another relatively new school that might take its lumps in the competitive Continental League.

Key players: L Kia Kaufman, Rock Canyon, Sr.; OH Kristina Lavrisha, Regis, So.; OH McKenzie Mitzner, So.; OH Ashley Norton, Rock Canyon, So.; MB Nichole Reidel, Regis, Jr.; S/RS Brielle Smith, Rock Canyon, Sr.; MB Laura Thomas, Regis, Sr.

Colorado Springs Metro League

Favorite: Cheyenne Mountain

Contenders: Falcon, Fountain-Fort Carson, Harrison, Liberty, Mesa Ridge, Sierra, Widefield, Woodland Park

Outlook: Despite the graduation of several outstanding seniors, Cheyenne Mountain remains the class of the 4A CSML. The Indians still have a lot of younger talent, but might not get a real test until the postseason. Liberty is likely to be Cheyenne Mountain’s closest challenger, as the Lancers have a half-dozen returning players.

Key players: RS Shannon Anthony, Liberty, Sr.; MB Laura Brodie, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; OH Brittney Bullers, Harrison, Sr.; OH Tracee Hamecher, Harrison, Jr.; MB Katherine Harris, Harrison, Sr.; MB Cristie Hollon, Harrison, Sr.; MB Holly Hutchison, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; S Mina Kang, Harrison, Sr.; S Kassie Miskho, Liberty, Sr.; S Allison Risk, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; OH Jill Tooma, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; L Kassidi Warnock, Liberty, Sr.; MB Ashley Wilkinson, Liberty, Sr.

Denver Prep League

Favorite: Denver South

Contenders: Denver North, Lincoln, Montbello, Thomas Jefferson

Outlook: Denver South has been piling up wins for a few seasons now and the Rebels have a little more experience coming back than last year. North gets a new coach, but familiar name, in Stan Garcia, who also has been coach at East and Montbello. Thomas Jefferson usually has quite a bit of success as well.

Key players: RS/MB Lauren Bluemel, Denver South, Sr.; OH/S Stephanie Cain, Denver North, Sr.; S Alicia Diaz, Denver North, Sr.; OH Stephanie Gomez, Denver North, Jr.; DS Persephone Guerrero, Denver North, Sr.; OH/L Tori Queen, Denver South, Sr.; OH/MB Asia Padilla, Denver North, Sr.

Jefferson County League

Favorite: Ralston Valley

Contenders: Alameda, Conifer, D’Evelyn, Elizabeth, Englewood, Evergreen, Golden, Jefferson, Summit

Outlook: Ralston Valley had a couple of juniors make first-team all-league last year, so the Mustangs probably will hit the ground running this season. Conifer gets a new coach, Kris Nolan, but still has perhaps the league’s top player in Emily Greenhalgh. D’Evelyn had a winning record last season, good height and a standout with Emily Adney. Still, coach Valerie Battaglia does not have a lot of other experience back from that successful squad. Alameda didn’t make it to the .500 level, but the Pirates can count on Lynn Stekr.

Key players: OH Emily Adney, D’Evelyn, Jr.; S Tori Arellano, Alameda, Sr.; OH Tiki Baca, Alameda, Sr.; MB Morgan Elliotte, Conifer, Sr.; MB Katie Garcy, D’Evelyn, Sr.; OH/S Emily Greenhalgh, Conifer, Sr.; OH Calyn Hull, D’Evelyn, So.; MB Gaby Salazar, Alameda, Jr.; L Corinne Schneider, D’Evelyn, Sr.; OH Sydney Slifka, D’Evelyn, Jr.; RS Lynn Stekr, Alameda, Sr.; OH Megan Stone, Alameda, Jr.; DS Madison Terry, Alameda, Jr.

Northern League

Favorite: Mountain View

Contenders: Berthoud, Broomfield, Fossil Ridge, Fort Morgan, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Longmont, Niwot, Northridge, Silver Creek, Skyline, Sterling, Thompson Valley, Windsor

Outlook: As if warmups weren’t long enough, Northern coaches might need an extra five minutes this fall just to get acquainted. Several longtime coaches have left the ranks, but the top team still seems to be Mountain View, which has been in the past four state finals. Berthoud, Longmont and Sterling, in that order, will be the next best bets.

Key players: S Haley Beardsley, Sterling, Jr.; S Linsey Barta, Northridge, Jr.; L Ansley Elwood, Skyline, Sr.; MB Molly Foster, Silver Creek, Jr.; MB Katie Fritzler, Sterling, So.; MB Britt Geist, Mountain View, Jr.; MB Kylee Hoagland, Skyline, Fr.; OH Lauren Janich, Longmont, Sr.; S Mollie Jones, Skyline, Jr.; OH Claire Koerner, Silver Creek, So.; MB Ashley Larson, Greeley West, Sr.; MB Sara Larson, Windsor, So.; S Sara Maher, Silver Creek, Sr.; OH Kristen Nickel, Sterling, Jr.; RS Katie Olson, Windsor, Jr.; Kelsi Ouellette, Northridge, Jr.; L Shea Rasmussen, Longmont, Sr.; MB Corinne Richards, Northridge, Sr.; OH Kendra Roark, Mountain View, Jr.; S Megan Roark, Mountain View, Sr.; DS Reanna Roberson, Greeley West, Sr.; L Kirsten Schumacher, Sterling, So.; RS Molly Short, Sterling, Jr.; L Katherine Spahr, Mountain View, Sr.; S Nikki Stetson, Longmont, Jr.; OH Lacey Turner, Mountain View, Sr.; S Rachel Weakland, Windsor, Jr.; MB Ashley Wronkoski, Greeley West, Sr.; RS Erin Yogerst, Silver Creek, Sr.

Skyline League

Favorite: Cherokee Trail

Contenders: Centaurus, Fort Lupton, Mountain Range, Prairie View, Ranum, Skyview, Westminster

Outlook: Cherokee Trail won this league last season with an undefeated record, and the Cougars bring back enough talent to stay as the Skyline favorite. Centaurus does have the best player, league player of the year and Colorado State recruit Evan Sanders, but the Warriors haven’t gotten over the hump in the playoffs. Mountain Range coach Tracy Schreiber said, despite being in only their second year, the Mustangs look solid.

Key players: S Ashley Apparito, Mountain Range, So.; S Lindsay Baca, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; MB Alyse Birdsall, Cherokee Trail, So.; MB Kylynn Claymon, Mountain Range, Jr.; RS/S Lashea Herman, Mountain Range, Jr.; OH Abi Jaurequi, Centaurus, Jr.; Nikki Lindow, Centaurus, So.; MB Leahi Lolotai, Centaurus, Jr.; OH Bri Morley, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; OH Evan Sanders, Centaurus, Sr.; MB Jordan Webber, Mountain Range, Jr.

South Central League

Favorite: Pueblo West

Contenders: Alamosa, Canon City, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo Central, Pueblo County, Pueblo East, Pueblo South

Outlook: Pueblo West annually rules the SCL roost and the Cyclones are likely to do it again. The amazing thing is that coach Casey King lost two outstanding players to graduation, Mallory Deneen and Kenzie Shippy. King thinks he has the league’s top two middles in Rachel Ratzlaff and Brittany Mabb. Canon City, with coach Leigh McLaughlin, also figures to finish among the top three league teams.

Key players: RS Stephanie Allen, Pueblo West, Sr.; OH Angie Andenucio, Pueblo County, Sr.; MB Amy Lincoln, Canon City, Sr.; MB Brittany Mabb, Pueblo West, Sr.; OH Amanda Marchiani, Canon City, Sr.; S Lori McGrath, Pueblo West, Sr.; DS Brittany Meek, Canon City, Sr.; MB Taylor Mosco, Pueblo County, Jr.; RS Kiani Ortiz, Pueblo County, Sr.; MB Rachael Ratzlaff, Pueblo West, Jr.; L Britney Reeves, Pueblo County, Sr.; Dakotah Russ, Pueblo West, Jr.; Kenzie Shippy, Pueblo West, So.; L Britney Short, Canon City, Jr.; MB Tina Skull, Pueblo County, Sr.; S Megan Soto, Pueblo County, Sr.; MB Alannah Van Gordon, Canon City, So.; Kalli Wells, Pueblo

Southwestern League

Favorite: Montezuma-Cortez

Contender: Montrose

Outlook: Only two teams in the Southwestern League remain at the Class 4A level, but both of them automatically qualify for districts. It’s still important to do well, though, as the higher finisher between Montezuma-Cortez and Montrose gets to host the District 8 tournament.

Key players: OH Lauren Cooling, Montrose, Sr.; MB Alyssa Franchini, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Tori Pickens, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; S Jackie Ramsey, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; OH Naomi Ritthaler, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; S Sydney Rowan, Montrose, Sr.; OH Briana Verbel, Montrose, Jr.;

Western Slope League

Favorite: Battle Mountain

Contenders: Delta, Eagle Valley, Glenwood Springs, Moffat County, Palisade, Rifle, Steamboat Springs

Outlook: The defending state champion will not be as formidable, but Battle Mountain still remains a threat. Glenwood Springs is the team most likely to challenge the Huskies, with a number of experienced players. Delta has good numbers out for volleyball, and Eagle Valley has the experienced setters to run a 6-2 offense.

Key players: OH Kendra Collette, Palisade, Jr.; L Avery Denney, Glenwood Springs, Jr.; S Kelsey Foster, Eagle Valley, Jr.; MB Toni Gottschalk, Glenwood Springs, So.; S Ariel Halverson, Delta, Jr.; S Megan Lane, Delta, Sr.; S Kelly Lawson, Glenwood Springs, So.; MB Bernadette Pitre, Palisade, Sr.; L Kelsey Ross, Delta, Sr.; MB Summer Sherman, Glenwood Springs, Sr.; Brittany Smith, Delta, Sr.; OH Heather Smyth, Glenwood Springs, Sr.; S Carly Stillman, Glenwood Springs, Jr.; OH Diedra Tyner, Delta, Sr.; OH Chelsea Vallario, Glenwood Springs, Jr.; S Whitney VanVorst, Eagle Valley, Jr.; MB Ana Vieyra, Delta, Jr.; OH Ryanne Wilson, Eagle Valley, Sr.

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