We’ve updated the team rankings in each class and here is a quick breakdown of changes as well as some things to watch for. For class rankings, click the highlighted link for each class. Class A With Millard West’s upset…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inWe’ve updated the team rankings in each class and here is a quick breakdown of changes as well as some things to watch for.
For class rankings, click the highlighted link for each class.
With Millard West’s upset loss to Millard South early last week, the door was opened for the winner of the Lincoln Public Schools Invite to take over the top spot and Omaha Marian did not let the opportunity pass. The Crusaders improved to 15-1 by winning the tourney title, dropping just one set along the way – that coming to Papillion-LaVista in pool play on Friday night. Marian then swept Grand Island, Papillion-LaVista South and Lincoln Southwest on the way to the title. Both of #2 Papio South’s losses this year have been to Marian and #3 Lincoln Southwest’s only blemish is its loss to Marian. Lincoln Southeast is back in the rankings at #10 after reaching the LPS semifinals. Despite beating Millard West, Millard South doesn’t move up. The Patriots’ loss to Omaha Concordia – ranked #7 in Class C-1 – is holding it back until it can get another signature win.
Ralston is the big mover this week, going from #10 to #6 after its five-set win over Seward last week. There seems to be real separation between the top five teams in Class B and the rest of the field at this point with Skutt, Gretna, Grand Island Northwest, Omaha Duchesne and Elkhorn South simply on another level compared to the rest of the pack. At 5-1, McCook is on the cusp of the rankings should anyone in the bottom five falter.
Columbus Scotus knocked off Grand Island Central Catholic last week in five sets and that removes the Crusaders from the top spot. Wahoo also suffered its first loss of the season – to Omaha Duchesne – which opens the door for 11-0 Lincoln Lutheran to take over at the top. Lutheran, Grand Island CC and Omaha Concordia are all in a triangular on Tuesday, so there could easily be more movement at the top next week. North Bend is going to quietly keep racking up wins, but the Tigers are legit. They will get their first big test on Sept. 28 when Malcolm comes to town. Gothenburg enters the rankings at 9-3 by virtue of its win over St. Paul. Once again this year, Class C-1 has 12-13 state-tournament quality teams.
Hartington Cedar Catholic continues to impress, this time coming from behind in the third set to knock of Stanton on its home court to win the Stanton Invite title over the weekend. The Trojans are now up to #16 in the overall rankings and you can’t say enough about the quality of competition it has faced – and beat. Hartington CC now has wins at Stanton and at Columbus Scotus to go with a neutral-court win over Bishop Neumann. The schedule is much easier the rest of the way for Hartington CC, but a Sept. 26 match at Battle Creek won’t be easy. Nebraska Christian moves up to #3 for its impressive win over Class B Hastings. The top half of Class C-2 is loaded and continues to impress.
Johnson-Brock had its way with Meridian in the finals of the MUDECAS tournament and is the clear #1 as the Eagles now have the state-best winning streak at 17 in a row. Elgin-Pope John moves up a couple spots this week and it, along with Blue Hill, might be the teams with the best chance of challenging Johnson-Brock if the MUDECAS tournament is any indication.
Even thought Exeter-Milligan has four losses, three are to Class D-1 #2 Meridian and the other to D-1 #3 BDS, but the Timberwolves have quality wins over BDS, Freeman and Giltner to hang their hats on. At 10-0, Red Cloud can make a strong case to take over the top spot once it gets a quality win, and that opportunity comes this week with a triangular that includes Blue Hill. Look out for Ewing and Humphrey St. Francis, two teams playing very well and on the rise.
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