A few weeks into the new girls volleyball season, no Aurora area teams appear in the top 10 of the Colorado High School Activities Association rankings.
But one program does appear in the so far small group around the state that owns double-digit victories.
Hinkley picked up three victories at the Jefferson Tournament to boost its record to 10-0 and though coach Paul Reyes’ team recently suffered its first loss, is one of only two teams in Class 5A (Columbine is the other) to reach double-digit wins through Sept. 15.
Hinkley has started a tradition of 10-plus wins in the past handful of years, as it has achieved that milestone for the fourth time in five seasons. The Thunder’s best record in that span is 17-5 in the 2021 season and coach Paul Reyes’ group — which has bounced back in a big way from a 7-16 2024 season — has enough matches left to challenge that.
Among the leaders for the Thunder in the early going are sophomore outside hitter Rylee Mansanares (who has averaged 2-plus kills per set) and senior Gisele Chavez, the team’s leader in assists as well as digs. Hinkley has also thrived on the service game with more than 100 points earned via aces.
Hinkley’s strength of schedule, however, has not helped it in CHSAA’s Seeding Index, which formulates the field for regional state qualifying tournaments. The Thunder sit 35th and a total of 36 teams make the postseason.
The highest spot in the Seeding Index in the early going among local teams (18th) is Vista PEAK Prep, which is off to a 5-1 start under longtime coach Simon Moorwood. The Bison have reloaded with young players such as freshmen Emily Peterson, Sanaya Wyatt and Jaici Simmons, who have complimented program senior stalwarts such as outside hitter Melinda Allred, setter Ava Eltzroth and libero Yasir Dickey. Adding to the mix is senior middle blocker Danaiya January, a transfer from Overland.
The Aurora area had just one 5A state tournament qualifier last season in Cherokee Trail, which is off to a 4-4 start in the second season under coach Amber Cornett.
The Cougars have faced a difficult slate and half of their losses came to Rock Canyon and Chaparral, which sit Nos. 2 and 7, respectively, in the 5A rankings. Cherokee Trail begins Centennial League play Sept. 16.
Cherokee Trail has a variety of very experienced varsity performers in a group that includes seniors Ella Notheisen (an outside hitter committed to Milwaukee School of Engineering), Avery Krause (setter) and Alize Flores (libero). Sophomore Londyn Donaldson — a 6-foot-1 middle blocker — is a key fixture, while freshman outside hitter Raeana Gibbs has already had a big impact.
Grandview had its streak of six straight trips to the 5A state tournament snapped last season when it lost in the regional round. Coach Rob Graham’s Wolves experienced a good deal of turnover and has a mix of veterans and newcomers this season. Senior Julia Ulitzky is in her third varsity season as a setter and will feed junior Amelie Pigeaire regularly.
Second-most in the win column among area teams through matches of Sept. 15 is Smoky Hill, which boasts an 8-5 mark that is already a two-win improvement on last season’s 6-17 record with a significant portion of the season to go. Coach Kelly Miller Buffaloes won all four of their matches at the Overland Invitational, while they also excelled in their bracket of the Chaparral Showcase.
Eaglecrest is now under the direction of former assistant Sarah Nance, who has done what she can to help create the type of feeling the program had when it was thriving in recent years. A veteran mix led by Cal State Humboldt commitment Anayah Rucker will be a boost towards that effort and the Raptors have a goal to earn a home regional, which could help them get back to the state tournament for the first time since 2018.
Regis Jesuit finished the 2024 regular season with 11 straight wins, but couldn’t sustain the momentum through regional play and fell short of a state berth. Coach Celeste Barker has some significant losses to replace, but senior setter Lucy Tricco is a major piece for the Raiders (2-7 in the early going) to build around.
Rangeview won 14 matches and qualified for regionals for the first time since 2019 last season, but have attempted to reload after it graduated pillars Maddie Kilmer and Anika Davison. Under the new direction of Dominica Brown is Overland (which is 3-11 to open the season), while Gateway is 3-6 and Aurora Central is 1-9.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
