(Matt Daniels/mattdanphoto.com)
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — It’s a big week in Bruinland as multiple Cherry Creek teams will be playing in some of the biggest games of their season.
The Bruins volleyball team might be hitting one of their toughest weeks of the season. The Bruins (11-2 overall) will play two top class programs this week in Arapahoe (11-2) and Grandview (7-6). Arapahoe will be the game to watch as it will be a battle for the top spot in the Centennial League.
“(We) are preparing for the games by working really hard at our practices and pushing to get as ready as we can for both,” setter Daisy Schultz said, “It’s really exciting for us to get to play at home during this week and have our schools supporting us, but it’s also a busy week and tough to get through while still staying focused on what we need to do for our games.”
The pressure is definitely great this week for the Bruins as these games will greatly effect the aforementioned Centennial League standings, and the regional seedings.
“It adds quite a bit of pressure,” Schultz continued, “These are possibly our hardest and most important league matches. We’ve been doing are best to take everything game by game and stay focused on one thing at a time.”
Also having a very important week is one of the greatest dynasties in Colorado sports, the Cherry Creek boys tennis team. Cherry Creek will host Region 1.
Other teams in this region include Denver South, Northglenn, Columbine, Rampart, Greeley West and Ponderosa.
“I expect a lot from myself, and a lot from my team. (I) really hope we can go in and get that W,” senior doubles player Jacob Bendalin said. “Hopefully our (previous) success can translate to state.”
The Bruins are the defending Class 5A Champions and have high expectations. The Bruins have competed in 12 tournaments or duals and have lost none of them so far.
(Renee Bourcier/CHSAANow.com)
Boys soccer will face a tough task this week and an important one after going 0-3 in their out-of-state tournament in Missouri. Like volleyball, its first battle will also be for the top spot in the Centennial League with rival Arapahoe.
“We need to move on, train hard and get ready for our big game against Arapahoe and keep our heads in the game” sophomore Cesar Martinez said. “Even though our team is high in the (CHSAANow.com) rankings, we can’t underestimate our opponents. We also can’t feel pressured and nervous at this time. We need to stay calm and composed and work hard.”
Arapahoe will not be the only test the Bruins will face this week. They will come back the very next day and face out-of-state opponent St. Ignatius (Ohio). The Wildcats are the No. 2 team in the state of Ohio and the No. 12 team in the nation right now.