Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released their third edition of the top 15 for each class yesterday and southeast Iowa has three teams ranked, including two on the rise.
Class 5A
The top 10 remained relatively unchanged from last week with Waukee Northwest, Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny, and Dowling Catholic keeping their top four spots, respectively. The only change up was Johnston being added to the top 15, replaced the ejected North Scott Lady Lancers.
Class 4A
Sioux Center had a tough week, falling from #1 to #6 in the rankings, while holding on to a 5-4 record. Norwalk jumps up from #3 to the top position, while Clear Creek-Amana and Marion both hopped up three spots to round out the new top three.
Burlington found their way back inside the top 15 at #13. The Grayhounds competed in the Little Hawks tournament this past weekend and a victory over at the time #10 Lewis Central and all-around good play against some of the best teams in the state, including Class 5A’s #6 Ankeny Centennial, #11 Bettendorf, #14 Iowa City High, and Class 2A’s #8 Regina Catholic, granted them the benefit of readmission. Meliah Ertz leads the hitters with 106 kills for the season.
Class 4A proved to be the most chaotic this week as Lewis Central, Wahlert Catholic, Clear Lake, and Pella were all knocked out from the top 15.
Class 3A
Humboldt still claims an undefeated record, meaning they stay put on top of the list, while Solon leapfrogs Cherokee to round out the top three with Western Christian holding at #2. No one was dropped out of the top 15.
Class 2A
Union takes over the top spot in the Class with Grundy Center and Hinton rounding out the top three. The biggest riser was Sumner-Fredericksburg going from unranked to #10 in the polls. Central Lyon was ousted from their #14 slot.
Class 1A
Ankeny Christian still remains the team to beat with Janesville right behind the Eagles. Holy Trinity Catholic’s strong start has the Crusaders fixed at #3. The Crusaders have dropped only one set in their five wins, which include two ranked opponents. Holy Trinity Catholic will see their next test at the Knoxville quad on Monday, September 14th.
Burlington Notre Dame climbed up a spot in the rankings to #12. Ainsley Conrad’s 192 assists for the season leads a Nike attack that has swept 8 of their 9 victories this year. The Nikes will need to find a way to usurp the next echelon of competition, as they sit with seven quality losses.
Cedar Right Christian and Woodbury Central each fell out of the top 15.