Starting Strong: High School Standouts From the Week

The high school season is officially rolling, and these first matchups are already giving us plenty to talk about.   From senior leaders setting the tone to freshmen jumping right into the varsity action, this week featured players who made an impact in different ways. Here are some of the standouts from three early matchups around Colorado.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fossil Ridge Defeats Rock Canyon 3-1</h2>   Fossil Ridge Players:    Johnson came out firing and looked every bit like the senior leader Fossil Ridge needs this season. She was strong offensively and brought a tough serve that kept Rock Canyon working. Johnson is a solid all-around presence for her team, and this was a great way to start what should be an exciting senior season.     Roberts may be a freshman, but she settled in quickly. She showed a smart feel for the game and continued getting more comfortable as the match went on. By the end of the night, she was handling plays with the confidence of a much more experienced player. Definitely a young name to keep watching.    Rock Canyon Players:    Anderson brings a big presence to the middle. She takes up space at the net and stays ready to get involved in transition. When the ball is available, she is prepared to go. Anderson has the tools to be a major threat at the net, and there is plenty to be excited about as her season continues.     Christopherson brought great energy to the net and stayed ready to make something happen. The junior outside was prepared to swing, block, and compete throughout the match. She also did a nice job closing with her middle, which helped make things tougher for Fossil Ridge's attackers.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">University Sweeps Rampart 3-0</h2>   University Players:    Lauer had herself a night, finishing with 16 kills and a .355 hitting percentage. She came into the season as one of the top returning pins in 4A, and she wasted no time showing why. Lauer continues to bring a strong presence to the outside and looks ready for another big year.     Rudiger was connecting all night. She finished with 37 assists and averaged 12.4 assists per set, helping keep the University offense rolling. She found her hitters and kept the ball moving with a nice rhythm. After recently being featured in our 4A Setting Up Success article, Rudiger is already showing why she belongs on the radar.     Lucero stepped up with 12 kills while hitting .381 on the night for University. The sophomore brought plenty of production and showed that she is ready to take on a bigger role. Starting the season with that kind of efficiency is a great sign, and Lucero will be another player to watch as the year moves forward.    Rampart Players:    Wright is coming off a standout season and remains one of Rampart's go-to offensive options. She has already proven that she can handle a major role, and her experience will be important as Rampart works through the early part of the season. Expect her to continue being a player defenses have to account for.     Clarose brings plenty of effort to the court and is not afraid to throw herself into a rally to keep the ball alive. Players with that kind of willingness can change the energy of a match. Her ability to compete through tough plays will continue to be valuable for Rampart this season.     Johnson is another Rampart player coming into the season with plenty of momentum. After recording 208 kills last year, expectations are high for another strong season. She has already shown she can be a productive part of the offense, and it will be exciting to see where she takes that next.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regis Jesuit Sweeps Eaglecrest 3-0</h2>   Regis Jesuit Players:    Kreutzer was involved in everything. She finished with 32 assists while also adding four kills and hitting .500. She kept the offense organized and stayed ready to contribute when the opportunity came her way. That all-around involvement helped keep Regis dialed in throughout the match.     Lynott finished with 11 kills and a .412 hitting percentage. Her strong arm continues to be a weapon, and she can make an impact from either pin. She gave Regis another reliable option offensively and started the season with an efficient performance.     Phillips put down 12 kills while hitting .333. She may be one of the younger players in the lineup, but she came out ready to compete. Her performance showed confidence and a willingness to take swings when the ball came her way. There is a lot to like about her start to the season.    Eaglecrest Players:    Silliman is a new middle making her way into the varsity space, and she already showed that she can be a factor at the net. She recorded three blocks on the night and brought a strong presence to the front row. This is a great starting point, and it will be fun to watch her continue to grow throughout the season.     Slothower finished with nine kills and hit .205 while serving as one of Eaglecrest's go-to options on the night. She stayed involved offensively and took on opportunities when they came her way. As the season continues, expect her to remain an important piece for Eaglecrest.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Just Getting Started</h2>   Three matches down, and there are already plenty of names making noise.   From experienced players stepping into leadership roles to young athletes finding their footing early, the Colorado high school season is off to a fun start. There is still a lot of volleyball ahead, and these players are certainly ones to keep on the radar.   For more Colorado high school volleyball coverage, player standouts, and weekly updates, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!

The high school season is officially rolling, and these first matchups are already giving us plenty to talk about.