Top 10 Colorado Volleyball Games for September

While the calendar only recently flipped to September, the high school volleyball season is in full force. Rankings have been jumbled in various classifications and surprise contenders have emerged. And, naturally, many of the standout players and teams are performing up to expectations.

That means it's time to take a look at 10 must-see matches for the remainder of the month, making certain to incorporate at least one from each classification. While there are definitely more than 10 that stand out, here's a look at some of the best. All rankings are from the latest CHSAANow.com poll.

Grandview (Aurora) at Chaparral (Parker), 6:30 p.m., Sept. 13
Chaparral has played a bear of a schedule to start the season, and the Class 5A No. 2 Wolverines are continuing to seek consistency after splitting their first six matches. That will be a difficult proposition against Grandview (3-1), which is humming along just fine in the first season of the Rob Graham era (a 3-0 loss to 4A No. 2 Lewis-Palmer notwithstanding). In a seemingly wide-open big-school field in which many top-flight contenders have already lost at least one match, this is a big one.

Cherokee Trail (Aurora) at Lewis-Palmer (Monument), 6:30 p.m., Sept. 13
After winning it all in 5A last season, Cherokee Trail (3-4) already has lost as many matches this season. But don't count out the Cougars, who are coming off a 3-1 win against No. 4 Denver East and have lost twice to preseason No. 1 Rock Canyon. Lewis-Palmer, ranked second in 4A, is off to a sizzling 4-0 start and would like nothing more than to add a win against the reigning big-school champ. Lydia Bartalo and Michaela Putnicki have combined to average 6.7 kills per set for the Rangers.

Fleming at Briggsdale, 6 p.m., Sept. 15
Fleming began the season ranked No. 1 in 1A, but despite an unbeaten start, has fallen to No. 2 behind Kit Carson. The Wildcats will face a stern test in No. 5 Briggsdale (1-1), a Falcons squad aiming to crack the state tournament after finishing a solid 14-8 last season. Fleming (3-0), is led by 5-foot-10 junior middle blocker Alli Keisel, a key contributor on last season's 23-7 squad that reached the semifinals.

Eaton at Platte Valley (Kersey), 6 p.m., Sept. 22
The 48-match winning streak might be history, but three-time defending champion Eaton is still the class of 3A. An opening loss to 4A No. 2 Lewis-Palmer marked the Reds' first loss in nearly two years, which might provide Patriot League-foe Platte Valley a glimmer of hope. The No. 6 Broncos get top-ranked Eaton and standout Tarynn Sieg (57 kills in 14 sets) on their home floor in Kersey and will be exceedingly amped up for the contest.

Windsor at Holy Family (Broomfield), 6:30 p.m., Sept. 22
The Tri-Valley League has the makings of compelling race, with these two squads competing with Erie, Berthoud and Mead, all of which have garnered some impressive early-season wins. While No. 5 Holy Family (6-2) has thrived behind junior setter Sara Berghoff, No. 6 Windsor stumbled out of the gate with a five-set loss to Erie. By the time this one gets going in two weeks, though, it wouldn't be surprising if both teams are starting to hit their stride.

Yuma at Lyons, 5 p.m., Sept. 23
Lyons is off to a terrific 5-0 start, and the No. 2 Lions firmly believe this is their season to capture the 2A crown. As part of that journey, they'll try to knock off 2015 champ Yuma, which just happens to be the team that eliminated them in the semifinals last season. Already solid, Lyons has gotten a boost from freshman outside hitter Taylor Maguire. Yuma (2-2) has lost to 3A Resurrection Christian (Loveland) and Imperial (Neb.), but the No. 3 Indians again appear formidable.

Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs) at Ponderosa (Parker), 6 p.m., Sept. 24
Ponderosa has gotten off to a rocky start, but it has occurred mostly against upper-echelon 5A competition. That should prepare the Mustangs well for beastly Cheyenne Mountain, the defending 4A champs. The top-ranked Indians lost Thursday night to 5A power Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch), but continue to be one of the state's finest teams regardless of classification. Indians' 6-foot-4 middle hitter Ellie Gubser is always a handful for opponents.

Colorado Springs Christian at St. Mary's (Colorado Springs), 6 p.m., Sept. 27
This rivalry match will go a long way toward deciding the 3A Tri-Peaks League and will have Top 10 ramifications as well. Third-ranked C.S. Christian, with standout seniors Bailey Scott and Cassie Davis in the fold, are catching fire after opening the season with an ambitious schedule. No. 7 St. Mary's will be seeking revenge for two sweeps at the hands of the Lions last season, including one in the state tournament.

Lakewood at Chatfield (Littleton), 6:30 p.m., Sept. 29
With its entire roster back from last season, Chatfield has been overtly impressive. In a 4-0 start, the Chargers have not lost a set and have four players averaging at least two kills per set. The hot start has allowed Chatfield to vault to No. 1 in the 5A poll, and this contest could represent the Chargers' most difficult challenge in Jeffco League play. No. 9 Lakewood (2-2) is a formidable squad despite early-season losses to No. 6 Grandview and unranked Eaglecrest (Aurora).

Dayspring Christian (Greeley) at Union Colony Prep (Greeley), 6 p.m., Sept. 29
Dayspring Christian has dropped only one set en route to a 5-0 start, and the Eagles are regularly receiving standout performances from juniors Megan Roberts and Katie Kurz. The Eagles, No. 5 in 2A, will take on their Greeley-area rivals in this one, a fourth-ranked Union Colony Prep squad that dropped its first match of the season Thursday night to 1A No. 9 Prairie. This local rivalry will make this one a thriller regardless, but it figures to have heavy overall implications on the 2A landscape.