Colorado Springs is a hub for great volleyball players and teams. Lewis-Palmer and Cheyenne Mountain have combined for the past seven 4A state titles, and Doherty and Rampart have been elite 5A programs for the past several years.

There are two powerhouse programs in 3A, however, and those teams are looking like contenders for state championship runs this season.

Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs Christian School aren’t just two of the best volleyball teams in the city – regardless of classification – they’ve also become major players in the state tournament. Last season, both teams made it to the 3A semifinals, and both return loaded rosters in 2015.

“It’s been a rivalry forever between the two schools, and it’s always fun,” third-year CSCS coach Lori Currier said. “I’m anticipating that they’ll be very good again this season. We took them to five sets last year and it was a great battle. We’re pretty excited, but trying to walk the line of not being overconfident and setting goals we can attain.”

The Lions went 25-3 last season, losing only to Denver East and Manitou Springs before falling to Eaton in the state semifinals.

Manitou Springs was 23-5, and the champions of the 3A Tri-Peaks league. The Mustangs lost to Valley in the state semis.

While CSCS returns its coach and its entire roster from last season, including talented setter Cassie Davis, Manitou Springs has a new coach and must replace libero Sydney Brooks, who graduated last year.

Manitou Springs coach Jane Squires has only been on the job since the end of July, but says her girls are learning a new philosophy and hitting the weight room and conditioning hard.

“The girls know some things need to be changed to get what we want, which is a championship,” Squires said. “Volleyball is a team sport, and we have to use more of our athleticism and we need to work as a team instead of relying on one or two players.”

Squires has 25 years of coaching experience – including leading Bishop Carroll in Wichita to a 35-0 record and a state title.

She walks into a great situation, which includes outside hitter Katie McKiel – one of the best players in the state for the past three years.

“When the AD and principal said I had six seniors back from such a good team, it was great to hear,” Squires said. “Not too many times does a coach have this kind of opportunity, so this is very exciting. Balance on offense will be very important. Katie is great, but we have other great hitters as well.”

So what do CSCS and Manitou Springs have to do to dethrone Eaton – the champions of 3A volleyball? Currier says it’s mostly mental.

“You get to that big arena (at state) and it’s easier for the teams who have been there each year to be comfortable,” Currier said. “The experience last year will help us a lot if we make it back this year.”

“We have all the offensive weapons we need, so getting better at defense and blocking is our focus right now,” Squires said. “I’m old school, and our girls will be well-conditioned and very competitive.”