Top 10 Colorado Volleyball Games For September

Many insist the volleyball season doesn't officially begin for elite squads until the state tournament. While that notion might have some merit, there are a handful of regular-season matches that have state-shaping ramifications.

Sure, it's not yet November, or even the stretch run of league races in October. But that doesn't mean September lacks value or matches with an undoubted postseason flavor.

With that in mind, here's a look at 10 matches not to miss in the opening month of the season:

Sept, 10, 6:15 p.m.: Ponderosa (Parker) at Cherokee Trail (Aurora)
It's difficult to find a better cross-classification matchup than this one, as 4A's longtime No. 2 outfit travels to Cherokee Trail, 5A's newly anointed No. 1. Ponderosa seniors Allison Smith and Camille Smith (no relation) are hell-bent on capturing a 4A title, and a solid performance against 5A's top gun would be a nice touch. Cherokee Trail and standout Shannon Webb, meanwhile, are aiming to prove the top designation is no fluke.

Sept. 10, 6:15 p.m.: Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs) at Grandview (Aurora)
We mentioned compelling cross-classification matchups. Here's another, on the same night no less. Cheyenne Mountain, which dominated the 4A circuit prior to Lewis-Palmer's recent back-to-back titles, will come to Aurora ranked No. 3 to face a Grandview squad ranked No. 2 in 5A. The defending-champion Wolves were swept 3-0 by No. 4 Regis Jesuit (Aurora) in their opener but rebounded Thursday with a five-set win against Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch).

Sept. 11, 6 p.m.: Idalia at Fleming
If the torch truly is being passed in 1A, this will provide a solid indication. Fleming has won the past two state titles with a 57-3 combined mark, but after being hit hard by graduation, the Wildcats are ranked No. 9 to start the season. Idalia, meanwhile, swept the first-place votes. If the Wolves can win in the Wildcats' gym, perhaps they deserve it. Of note, Fleming has already knocked off 2A No. 4 Akron.

Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Regis Jesuit at Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Regis already is feeling saucy after its sweep of Grandview and followed it up with a sweep of a solid Ralston Valley (Arvada) squad. The fourth-ranked Raiders are eagerly eyeing the matchup at No. 3 Cherry Creek (1-1). Last season, Creek went into Regis' gym and knocked off the Raiders in five games.

Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.:Lewis-Palmer (Monument) at Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Any time Lewis-Palmer steps on the court its big news, considering the Rangers won the MaxPreps national title for best team last year. Can they keep it up with star Alexa Smith now at Purdue? Still 4A's top-ranked team, the Rangers have a stout road test against No. 5 Valor Christian, which is aiming to immerse itself into the classification's title conversation.

Sept. 18, 3:30 p.m.: Kit Carson at Flagler
In another 1A showdown, No. 7 Kit Carson will make the 51-mile trip to Flagler in hopes of overthrowing the No. 2 Panthers. Flagler returns many key contributors from last season's 22-5 squad, including Elisha Rodwell and Jade Hasz. Kit Carson counters with sophomore multisport standout Micayla Isenbart.

Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Chaparral (Parker) at Legend (Parker)
No. 7 Chaparral's fares might be closely tied to how well the Wolverines play at the outset of Continental League play. After opening with No. 10 Highlands Ranch on Sept. 17, the Wolverines' third league match is this one at No. 9 Legend. The Wolverines (1-1), keep in mind, are under the guidance of Amanda West after longtime venerable coach T.R. Ellis retired. Legend is fueled by senior outside hitter Jordan Mullen.

Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m.: Eaton at Valley (Gilcrest)
As Eaton chases a third straight 3A championship, don't count on Patriot League-rival Valley to simply step aside in a rematch of last season's state championship game. After Eaton swept the title match, the No. 4 Vikings would like nothing more than to make things difficult for the top-ranked Reds in the first of two regular-season matches. The teams have accounted for past three 3A titles, with Valley having captured the 2012 crown.

Sept. 29, 4 p.m.: Colorado Springs Christian at Manitou Springs
This No. 2 vs. 3 matchup features the only 3A teams other than Eaton to receive first-place votes in the preseason poll. No. 2 CSCS graduated no one from its 25-3 team from last season and returns several standouts, including Abby Skrastins and Jamie Nielson. Manitou Springs graduated only one and returns Katie McKiel (6.2 kills per set) and setter extraordinaire Angala Jensen. Both were final four squads last season.

Sept. 29, 6 p.m.: Lyons at Resurrection Christian (Loveland) (6 p.m., Sept. 29)
Two-time 2A champion Resurrection Christian nearly made a clean sweep of the preseason No. 1 votes. Only one other squad received one, in fact. That squad: Lyons. Resurrection Christian is coming off bookend 29-0 seasons, and if the Cougars remain unscathed until this one, they'll be riding a 67-match streak. Lyons (19-4 last season) could make a tremendous splash by putting an end to it.