The Bayfield High School volleyball girls will face a familiar rival during pool play at the 3A state tourney, along with a Front Range volleyball powerhouse.
Bayfield, ranked fifth in state play, will play fourth-ranked University High School of Greeley on Friday morning to start pool play at the state tourney, then ninth-ranked Pagosa Springs on Saturday.
The BHS girls haven't faced University this year, but has defeated Pagosa Springs twice.
The winner of the Bayfield-Pagosa-University pool, or Pool IV, will move into semi-final play on Saturday against the winner of Pool 1.
That pool consists of number-one ranked Eaton, eighth-ranked Sterling, and Coal Ridge, which is ranked 12th in the state tourney.
Also heading to Denver are Valley, Middle Park and Platte Valley in Pool II, and Colorado Springs Christian, Resurrection Christian, and Delta in Pool III.
The winner of Pool II and Pool III will play each other in the semi-finals.
BHS heads into state with an impressive 22-3 record overall and 10-0 in the InterMountain League. Bayfield's only losses this season were to 4A Niwot and Lewis-Palmer, and 6A Piedra Vista. The Wolverines haven't lost a game since its Sept. 20 match on the road against Piedra. The BHS team roared back to defeat Piedra Vista in Bayfield for Homecoming on Oct. 7.
Bayfield won against Pagosa Springs in three straight games on Oct. 1, 25-17, 25-16, 30-28 on the road. On Oct. 20, Pagosa came to Bayfield and lost again, 25-12, 25-20 and 25-14.
Pool play is set to start at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday at the Denver Coliseum.
