Standout Mattison DeGarmo (13) and Douglas County have been one of the early season surprises in Class 5A volleyball this season. The Huskies have gone 9-1 and are ranked No. 8.
File photo by Matt Daniels
Chap is back.
It doesn't seem too long ago that the
Chaparral (Parker) volleyball team was winning its third consecutive Class 5A crown and being anointed by many as the best program ever in Colorado.
That run ended after the 2011-12 school year, when all-everything player Nicole Dalton moved on to the University of Texas. But imagine the look of disbelief in the eyes of volleyball fans from that season who came back to check the CHSAANow.com preseason poll a few weeks ago.
The Wolverines were nowhere to be found. Not even a mere mention in the "others receiving votes" section. It makes sense. After going 23-5 two seasons ago, the Wolverines went 11-14 last season and weren't much viewed as a hot commodity.
Well, it didn't take long for coach T.R. Ellis and company to make a move. Chaparral leaped to No. 5 in the second week of the poll and vaulted all the way to No. 2 this week. Sure, the Wolverines lost to Highlands Ranch on Thursday night and fell to 7-2. But behind senior
Natalie Passeck, Chap indeed is back.
With that in mind, here's a look at a few more teams from around the state that have jumped into rankings after beginning the season as an afterthought.
Douglas County (Castle Rock) (9-1): The Huskies roared out of the gates 9-0 and, like Highlands Ranch, stumbled in their Continental opener Thursday night. They lost to Ponderosa, but the early season prowess of
Mattison DeGarmo,
Katy Wilson and others had the Huskies checking in at No. 8 in the 5A poll this week.
Mullen (Denver) (6-1): The Mustangs were on the outside looking in on the 4A poll to begin the season, but ascended to No. 9 in the second offering and then again to No. 6 this week. Coach Kaycie Artim has a phenomenal setter in
Maddie Freiwald and is benefiting from the move-in transfer of former Holy Family standout
Blayke Hranicka, one of the classification's fiercest hitters who pairs splendidly with
Mackenzie Edwards.
Olathe (6-1): The Pirates reeled off six straight victories to start the season and cracked the 3A poll at No. 10. A five-set loss Tuesday to 4A Delta likely won't cause coach Becky Patrone's group to tumble back out.
Swink (8-0): The Lions went from out of the 2A poll to No. 6 and then to No. 3 – with two first-place votes in the most recent poll. And why not? In their victories this season, the Lions have lost only one set (that was to Fowler on Tuesday). Players such as
Leah Roberson, who averages 4.3 kills per set, have allowed coach Amber Barratt's squad to obliterate the competition so far.
Hoehne (4-1): The leap has been more incremental for the Farmers than for Swink, but they are OK with it. The Farmers' lone loss is to Swink, after all. Hoehne cracked the 2A poll at No. 9 last week and coach Michele Jones' group moved up one spot to No. 8 this week.
Rye (4-1): Like Hoehne, Rye's lone loss is to Swink. The Thunderbolts had the misfortune of being swept in the opening match of the season, but have retooled nicely with four straight victories and jumped in the 2A poll at No. 10 this week. Hoehne and Rye were schedule to square off Thursday night in a contest that might determine which team remains ranked next week.
Cheraw (4-0): Coach Angie Hoss' team began unranked, slipped in at No. 10 and then ascended to No. 6 in the most recent 1A poll. Such is life when you don't lose. The Wolverines put their unbeaten mark on the line Friday against Manzanola.
Springfield (3-1): The Longhorns broke into the 1A poll at No. 9 this week, their lone reported loss coming against Idalia. Coach Chantel Hall's group played a late game at Clayton (N.M.) on Thursday night and get back to in-state action Tuesday against Granada.
McClave (7-0): Rachel Dunning's Cardinals look like the real deal. They cracked the 1A poll at No. 10 this week, but after another loss-free week, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them keep climbing. The Cardinals face a stern test in fellow-unbeaten Cheraw on Tuesday.
