ALAMOSA — As we creep closer to the school season, sports programs are getting going all over the valley. Volleyball is still a little ways out but CHSAA’s Volleyball preseason poll is already out and has both Centauri and Sangre de Cristo placed in the top ten in their respective classes. Centauri holds the sixth spot in 3A while Sangre de Cristo is ranked at number nine in 1A volleyball.

A year removed from a 23-0 run to the playoffs where they were subjected to their only two losses of the season, the Falcons are looking to rebound this autumn. Last year Centauri utilized the outstanding play of then seniors Ember Canty and Caroline Van Berkum. Canty at 6’2” and Van Berkum at 5’11” gave the Falcons a veritable wall at the net. The two combined for 48 of the team’s 106 assisted blocks while Canty racked up 15 of the team 19 solo blocks. The duo also led the team in kills combining for 243, 54 percent of the team total.

Despite that, offense and defense on the court this year seem to be in capable hands. At 5’10” Melissa Wilson showed versatility  in 2017 that Centauri will likely need this season as a contributor on both offense and defense. Wilson was fourth on the team in total blocks and third in assists, heading into the 2018 season she may prove to be a key piece for the Falcons. When the Falcons are on the attack, a large portion of the duties will likely fall to Isabel Prieto. Last year Prieto was third on the team in kills and showed promise from the serve line with 20 aces on 110 serves. Centauri will open the season at home against league rival Alamosa on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The Thunderbirds also took part in a regional tri last year collecting two wins to advance to the state triangulars. It was at La Veta’s State Tri where the T-Birds ran out of juice.

Sangre de Cristo should see the return of all of last year’s starters and will look to pick up right where they left off. Expect to see the T-Birds climb the rankings before the season is through. In her junior year Jessica Slane was a force for the T-birds in ’17 leading the team in kills and blocks.

Former freshman Avery Palmgren proved invaluable her first year leading the team in total blocks and finishing second on the team in kills.  Also entering their sophomore year Jordyn Cantu and Renae Sinclair led the team in digs and assists respectively.With so much talented youth Sangre de Cristo’s production seems to be cemented for the years to come.

This Friday the Thunderbird girls will be hosting their eighth annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K run/walk at Cole Park at 5:30 p.m. Sangre will open things up on the volleyball court on the road against the Sargent Farmers on Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.