Class 5A
Front Range League
Teams and trends: Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Loveland, Monarch, Mountain Range, Northglenn, Poudre, Prairie View, Rocky Mountain. Erie made the jump up from Class 4A to join the FRL. Broomfield has won the league title two out of the last three seasons.
2021 season league leaders: Kills — Sophie Buschmann, Broomfield (388); Assists — Macy Mahoney *, Broomfield (975); Aces — Sophie Kubiak, Monarch (69); Blocks — Emily Johnson, Fort Collins (81); Digs — Sydney Green, Horizon (443).
* = eligible to return
Numbers game: Mahoney led all of Class 5A in assists as Kubiak tied for second in the classification for aces. The FRL housed ladies ranked in the top 10 of each statistical category, save for blocks, in 2021.
Boulder Panthers
Coach: Kyle Rhatigan
The Scorecard: The Panthers will look a lot different this season after graduating seven of their 11 players last year. This season, they’ll look for leadership from junior M/OH Kayla Rothman, junior S Palmer Robinson, and senior M Kaatje Zylstra. “This season, we will be young across the board with juniors and sophomores contributing a ton this year, maybe even a freshman or two (or eight),” Rhatigan said. “It will be exciting to see how these players grow and develop as athletes but also as a part of the Boulder High community.”
Broomfield Eagles
Coach: Carisa Kessler
The Scorecard: The Eagles saw a great amount of success in 2021 with a 25-4 record and a trip to the Class 5A state tournament, where they split 2-2. They graduated just three seniors but bring back seniors L Kennedy Nelson, OH Lillia Neill, MB Tayler Dye and junior S Macy Mahoney. They have a new face at the helm this year after the exit of Bob Knox. “As a program, we are excited for the season,” Kessler said. “We have a very good group of seniors and a strong returning setter who are ready to lead our team.”
Erie Tigers
Coach: Madison Fisher
The Scorecard: The Tigers return to the court a year after a 20-7 record earned them a bid to the Class 4A state tournament. They welcome a new head coach and will have five seniors to lead on for leadership: DS Jadyn Aragon, MB Laney Bowers, S Olivia Gutierrez, OH Rowan Ramsey and MB/RS Lavinia Hutchins. Sophomore OH/RS Avery Malek moved up front from the libero spot, where she led the team in digs (260) and added 104 kills as a freshman.
Fairview Knights
Coach: Lauren Ollanik
The Scorecard: The Knights come back a year after finishing their season with a 7-16 record. They’ll be returning the majority of their team and will look for leadership from seniors MB Lilia Donaldson and L Alexis Vancil, as well as juniors S Taylor Dinges, S Mia Hoskins and OH Samantha Schubert. “They are a hard-working, supportive, and talented group of young women ready to put in 100% this season to succeed both on and off the court,” Ollanik said. “We are optimistic and enthusiastic to see what successes we will have and eager to learn and grow together.”
Legacy Lightning
Coach: Will Rozum
The Scorecard: The Lightning welcome a new head coach a year after an 18-7 record took them to the Class 5A regionals, where Chaparral ended their bid. They bring back their killer queen, senior OH Alexandra Urbina, as well as their two top blockers in senior MB Alynna Haggadone and senior MB Taylor Shephard. Urbina also tied for the team-high in total digs last fall as senior setter Gabriella Diederich will once again grace the net.
Monarch Coyotes
Coach: Jennifer Dixon
The Scorecard: The Coyotes come back after earning their way to the Class 5A regional tournament and finishing out with a 14-11 record. They welcome back four returning starters with senior OH/RS Mia Prater, juniors MB Sydney Morgan, L Maddie Brotz and S Caroline Dahm. “This team has strong returning players that got to be a part of last season and all its success,” Dixon said. “They are bringing that energy and drive to practice every day to build off the success from past seasons. The chemistry within this team is amazing.”
Class 4A
NCAA League
Teams and trends: Centaurus, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Holy Family, Longmont, Mead, Silver Creek and Windsor. Windsor has finished in the top two in the league’s first two years of existence and won the Tri-Valley League two years prior to that.
2021 season league leaders: Kills — Quincey Coyle, Mead (481); Assists — Taylor Tatham, Mead (856); Aces — Coyle (92); Blocks — Bridget Kusbel, Longmont (84); Digs — Julia Bohlinger *, Windsor (341).
Numbers game: The league sent four teams to the Class 4A state tournament in 2021, including Erie, which moved up to 5A this year. Coyle led the entire classification in both kills and aces.
Centaurus Warriors
Coach: CJ Rabinowitz
The Scorecard: The Warriors will look to improve from last year’s 3-18 record, and will be a year older and wiser. Eight players from the 2021 squad are eligible to return, including seniors Harper Hann, Sofia Dale, Alexa Lorton, Julia Love, Ayva Jones, sophomores Phoebe Maierhofer, Lauren Kidney and freshman Maddei Shea.
Holy Family Tigers
Coach: Jenna Gallas
The Scorecard: The Tigers enjoyed a trip to the Class 4A state tournament last year, winning two matches before bowing out of the competition. They graduated seven strong seniors, but will bring back senior S Megan Gonzales, juniors OH Allie Ward, DS Emily Powell and MB Delaney Watson. “We are excited for the upcoming season to watch our team grow and get better with each match,” Gallas said. “Being competitive is something we will continue to strive for every time we step out on the court.”
Longmont Trojans
Coach: Aaron Herbert
The Scorecard: The Trojans bid farewell to longtime coach Holli Stetson and eight seniors along with her. Now under new leadership, they’ll be looking to seniors DS Malia Hendricks, OH Victoria Cordova and junior OH Addy Moll to take the reins on the court. “With the graduation of eight seniors — all starters — we are excited about the opportunity to see what this year’s varsity girls are capable of,” Herbert said. “We look forward to growing throughout the season and plan to be playing our best when it matters the most.”
Mead Mavericks
Coach: Mikayla Martinez
The Scorecard: The Mavericks enjoyed a great amount of success in 2021, playing their way to the final eight spots in the Class 4A state tournament. This year, they return a huge group of seniors, nine in all, to lead the squad of 13. The top returning talent includes sophomore OH Hailey Hall, senior DS/L Andrea Higgins, junior OH Isabelle Zuniga and senior MB Erin Hwang. “I am incredibly excited to get to coach an entirely new team,” Martinez said. “These girls are eager to get to work and to get to play together and that’s what I’m excited for.”
Silver Creek Raptors
Coach: John Miller
The Scorecard: The Raptors return from an 8-15 season in 2021. They let go of seven seniors but will be welcoming back seniors L Rachel Mau, MB April Conilogue, OPP Taylor Mallett, juniors MB Anna Davidson and OH Alex Konczalski. “I’m excited to be back in the gym with this team,” Miller said. “It is fun to watch them grow.”
Class 4A/3A
Longs Peak League
Teams and trends: Fort Morgan, Frederick, Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Roosevelt, Severance, Skyline and Thompson Valley. Northridge is the only 3A representative in a classification stacked with 4A talent. Niwot and Thompson Valley played their way to the final four of the 4A state tournament last year, with TVHS winning the whole thing.
2021 season league leaders: Kills — Katelin Sindelar *, Frederick (305); Assists — Ashlyn Tafoya *, Thompson Valley (961); Aces — Ashley Livingston, Frederick (76); Blocks — Tatum Sharp *, Thompson Valley (104); Digs — Allison Waller, Berthoud (424).
Numbers game: Frederick boasted ladies ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A with representatives in kills (Sindelar, fifth; Kinley Lindhardt, eighth), assists (Livingston, eighth) and aces (Livingston, eighth)
Frederick Golden Eagles
Coach: Suzanne Robison
The Scorecard: The Golden Eagles enjoyed a great amount of success in 2021, hosting their own regional before earning a bid to the Class 4A state tournament, where they split with two wins and two losses. Their three strongest returners include seniors OH Katelin Sindelar, S Delaney Frank and junior MB Kelsey Mathews. “Filling out the rest of the roster, we have some youth and are excited about what they will offer,” Robison said. “We have a strong competitive conference and we look to compete.”
Niwot Cougars
Coach: Tony Engel
The Scorecard: The Cougars put together a strong showing last fall as they played all the way to the Class 4A final four at the state tournament. Engel will step into the head coaching position and will lean on seasoned veterans, seniors L Varshini Panuganti, M Grace Demmel, OH Paige Demosthenes, junior M Addison Engel and sophomore S Anne Haley. “We are very experienced and enthusiastic about being back on the court,” Engel said. “I believe we will be competitive at all levels. I’m trying to match their enthusiasm for the game.”
Skyline Falcons
Coach: Susan Karimi
The Scorecard: The Falcons will bring in a lot of new faces this year after graduating nine seniors, but have some returning talent with sophomore MH/OH Brooke Caquelin and senior DS Vanessa Brockert. They’ll also look to junior MH Divinity Teneyck and freshman S McKayla Stromquist to take on bigger roles. “Over half of our team is young and new to the varsity level,” Karimi said. “It will be exciting to see how they gel together this season.”
Class 3A
Metropolitan League
Teams and trends: The Academy, Colorado Academy, Eagle Ridge Academy, Faith Christian, Jefferson Academy, Kent Denver, Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge Academy, SkyView Academy, St. Mary’s Academy and Stargate School. Lutheran, now in 4A, won the league title three years in a row before moving up a classification.
2021 season league leaders: Kills — Caty Havekost, Faith Christian (303); Assists — Tatiana Anderson *, Peak to Peak (489); Aces — Jordan Alexander, Colorado Academy (78); Blocks — Anna Ruter, Faith Christian (78); Digs — Alexander (685).
Numbers game: Thirty girls in all of Class 3A recorded over 300 digs last season, and five came from the Metro League: Alexander (first, 685), Faith Christian’s Cassie Miller (second, 448), Peak to Peak’s Sarah McLaughlan (13th, 350), St. Mary’s Academy’s Maggie Hass (17th, 337) and Havekost (25th, 307).
Jefferson Academy Jaguars
Coach: Alexa Bradford
The Scorecard: The Jaguars welcome a new coach to lead them this fall, a year after the team finished with a 13-11 record. That incredibly young squad graduated just one senior as seniors S Sophia Renner, L/OH/DS Lili Foss, MH Briley Fleming and DS Carolyn Ennis step into the spotlight. The team additionally houses seven juniors to give the upperclassmen strong representation.
Peak to Peak Pumas
Coach: Kat Wagenschutz
The Scorecard: The Pumas come back a year after nearly breaking .500 with a 12-13 record. They’ll return some top players in senior L Tatiana Anderson — who started at setter last year — senior OH Sophie Hey, senior OH Rory West, and junior S Hayden Conors. “I am always excited to coach and this is a year I am looking forward to as it is my second with this team,” Wagenschutz said. “This gives me a chance to start where I left off last year and build upon the culture and camaraderie established last year.”
Prospect Ridge Academy Miners
Coach: Rachel Renville
The Scorecard: The Miners come back after qualifying for their Class 3A regional tournament last year, falling just short of a state tournament bid. They return top talent in seniors S Kenna DeKloe, L Ella Young and junior OH Ella Luhmann but graduated half of their team in the process. “I’m very excited to begin the fall season,” Renville said. “What’s really amazing about this group of athletes is their desire to work hard and get better. They’re willing to show up each day and work hard.”
Class 3A/2A/1A
Foothills League
Teams and trends: Golden View Classical, Loveland Classical, Nederland, Poudre Community Academy, Twin Peaks Charter, Vanguard Classical East and Windsor Charter Academy. Last year, the league only housed two teams, Windsor Charter Academy and Vanguard Classical East.
Numbers game: Windsor Charter Academy and Golden View Classical Academy were the only two teams in 2021 to record more than five wins.
Nederland Panthers
Coach: Kayla Knapp
The Scorecard: The Panthers bring back nearly all of their players from the 2021 season after graduating just one senior. That team, which was comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, is a year older and wiser. Some top returners include senior M Annabel Ivey, and sophomores OH Kendall Zotti and S Lauren Schrader. “Our team this year is very strong,” Knapp said. “I’m confident that we will do well this season. I’m very excited to coach the team again and see all of their offseason work out in action.”
Twin Peaks Timberwolves
Coach: Hailey Rehage
The Scorecard: The Timberwolves entered a new league for the fall season, one that’s a bit more suitable to their competition level. They bring back some experienced players with three seniors, MB Lizzie Anglund, OH Riley Wilson, OH Anny Tep and junior S Ella Schauer. “The team is very eager to be in the gym and pick up right where we left off. It makes my job easier as a coach when the players are excited to keep learning and growing.”
Class 2A/1A
Mile High League
Teams and trends: Clear Creek, Dawson School, Dayspring Christian, Denver Academy, Denver Christian, Front Range Christian, Gilpin County, Heritage Christian, Highland, Longmont Christian, Lyons and Union Colony Prep. Denver Christian won the league title three of the last four years, which included a few 3A teams as well.
2021 season league leaders: Kills — Kamryn Arnold, Union Colony Prep (354); Assists — Erica Bol, Denver Christian (691); Aces — Hailey Odell, Lyons (102); Blocks — Maddy Vander-Ploeg, Front Range Christian (72); Digs — Grace Fleming *, Front Range Christian (414)
Numbers game: Seven ladies recorded more than 300 assists during the 2021 season: Bol, Union Colony Prep’s Lili Luo (582), Heritage Christian’s Ashlyn Leonard (387), DCA’s Karrin Chandler (365), Odell (353), Front Range Christian’s Emma Bolz (341) and Highland’s Jenna Batka (339).
Dawson Mustangs
Coach: Korbyn Skeens
The Scorecard: The Mustangs return strong players with seniors PH Sydney Javes, DS Eden Handler, and sophomores DS Chloe Sebek and M Reece Giffels. “These girls have already blown me away with improvement over the last two weeks,” Skeens said. “They have said the ‘vibe’ compared to last year is night and day, and they are so pumped to get better and take the season seriously and give it 110%. I think every coach, player, and parent in the league will notice a difference in our program in how we act and how we play.”
Longmont Christian Warriors
Coach: Holly Pickett
The Scorecard: The Warriors will look to improve upon their 7-14 record from the 2021 season and should have a greater chance at doing so now that the league has purged the 3A teams from its ranks. The squad graduated just one senior, meaning that current senior Samantha Altschuler, juniors Lily Young, Kylie Totems, Janna Gunderson, Christy Pickett, Jasea Lynch, Jess Scoma and freshman Anna Banks are all eligible to return.
Lyons Lions
Coach: Sarah Steele
The Scorecard: The Lions enjoyed a good amount of success in 2021 as they put together a 16-9 record and earned a spot in the Class 2A Region 10 tournament. That team, however, housed five strong seniors that led in nearly every statistical category, save for digging. This year, seniors DS Aly Gantzer, MB Sam Rickman, DS Keara Ping and L Sophie Claviere will step into leadership roles.
