Previewing DII women’s volleyball’s Colorado Premier Challenge

This weekend, DII women’s volleyball will put the premier in the Colorado Premier Challenge. A plethora of top-25 teams are set to battle in Denver yet again in a tournament that’s been around since 1996. While defending national champion Cal State LA won’t be present, there are a bevy of DII women’s volleyball powerhouses commencing on the campuses of Regis and MSU Denver this weekend. 

2024 PREVIEW: What to watch as the DII women’s volleyball season returns

Here’s a look at what you need to know about the prestigious event. Also, make sure to check out the full schedule and lineup by clicking or tapping here. 

The Colorado Premier Challenge, previewed

What is the Colorado Premier Challenge? In short, the two-day event is DII women’s volleyball gold. It takes place on the campuses of MSU Denver and Regis, a 12-minute drive through downtown Denver.  

The tournament began in 1996 when BYU-Hawaii and Central Missouri each went 4-0 in their respective brackets to become the first co-champions of the event. BYU-Hawaii’s Becky Laubach was the first-ever MVP of the event, which has now been played every year since, minus the 2020 season interrupted by COVID-19. Incidentally, that 1996 season was the only time there were co-champions; however, in 2014 there was no champion due to a four-way tie. 

Regis and MSU Denver, as co-hosts, obviously have the most appearances of any program with 27. Central Missouri has made the tournament a pretty much annual occurrence with 24 appearances, while two of the winningest programs in the sport’s history — Concordia-St. Paul and West Texas A&M — have been there 17 times… and counting. All five teams are back for more in 2024. 

It’s a top-25 party in Denver. There is no shortage of elite talent this weekend, hence the name premier. Looking at the preseason rankings, there were 10 AVCA top-25 teams playing on Friday and Saturday. Currently No. 2 Wayne State (Neb.), No. 3 MSU Denver, No. 4 UMSL, No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul and No. 9 West Texas A&M make five top-10 teams. Chaminade, Regis, Lewis, and Central Missouri round out the top-25 teams, while Seattle Pacific, which began the season in the top 25, and DBU both earned votes.

West Texas A&M, Wayne State (Neb.) and UMSL were all national quarterfinalists a year ago. Wheeling, which has won its conference tournament 16 years running and is one of three former DII women’s volleyball champions in the mix, travels the furthest from the East Coast…