Monday Whiteboard: News and Notes 9/25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rankings, Polls and RPI!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Washington coaches polls are live, along with RPI rankings listed on the WIAA website and App. RPI rankings are a three part calculation weighted with a team's win/loss percentage, their opponents' win/loss percentage and finally the OOWP (opponents opponents win percentage-whew!) Per the WIAA "The RPI will be one tool utilized by the seeding committees to determine first round bracket pairings into the State Tournaments". It can be deceptive early in the season without many games logged, and another issue is the lack of consideration for an opponents division. Defeating a 1B team counts the same as defeating a 4A team; our neighbors in Oregon have a different computer rating system that eliminates any match against a team more than one division higher or lower than your own. Its a good thought, you can dig deeper into the Oregon rankings system at the OSAA website. <a href="https://www.osaa.org/activities/vbl/rankings">https://www.osaa.org/activities/vbl/rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top RPI ranked schools in each class have undefeated record with at least 5 wins, tournament matches are not counted. How do the coaches see things in their rankings compared to the RPI? Here are the top teams in each class in the RPI compared to the rankings from the September 20th Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A: Coaches- <strong>Curtis</strong> (10th in RPI). RPI: <strong>Gonzaga Prep</strong> (9th in Coaches) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A: Coaches- <strong>Mead </strong>(11th in RPI). RPI: <strong>Lynnwood</strong> (3rd in Coaches)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A: Coaches-<strong>Columbia River</strong> (3rd in RPI) RPI: <strong>Shadle Park</strong> (9th in Coaches) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A: Coaches- <strong>Annie Wright</strong> and <strong>Meridian </strong>(RPI 11th and 4th). RPI: <strong>Cedar Park Christian</strong>- Bothell (3rd in Coaches)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2B: Coaches- <strong>Manson</strong> (4th in RPI). RPI: <strong>Lind-Ritzville Sprague</strong> (10th in Coaches)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1B: Coaches and RPI: <strong>Oakesdale</strong>! We have synergy at the 1B level only, Oakesdale is looking for a three-peat state championship this season, led by 5th year star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230149' first='Payton' last='Davis']</strong>. You have to love that 8th grade year at a 1B school!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next WSVCA Rankings go live on the 27th, check out the rankings at <a href="https://www.wsvbca.com/">https://www.wsvbca.com/</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WHERE ARE THEY NOW?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each Monday we will be checking in on a few of our ranked players from the class of 2023 at the next level, starting with <strong>Leilani Ama </strong>from Mt. Spokane, currently playing her freshman season at Chaminade in Honolulu. Ama seized the starting setter position immediately and has the Silverswords ranked nationally with a 13-1 overall record. The number one ranked setter in our 2023 rankings set the tone early with 49 assists in her first college match, and has recorded season highs of 17 digs and 6 kills. The Silverswords lead the conference not only in wins, but in kills, hitting percentage and assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paige Stepaniuk</strong> went from Ridgefield High School to Portland State and has helped the Vikings to a 9-4 record. The dynamic defender is second on the team in digs and serves received, and was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week on August 28th, the first week of her collegiate volleyball career! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MATCHUPS TO WATCH THIS WEEK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of the Ridgefield Spudders, this week will be the first meeting between Spudder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201074' first='Elizabeth' last='Andrew']</strong> and Columbia River star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201023' first='Lauren' last='Dreves']</strong>. The #1 and #2 ranked players in the 2024 Washington class, both players are nationally ranked overall and will most likely be meeting multiple times this season to decide the class 2A state championship battle. Both squads have excellent players besides the two senior stars, it's an awesome matchup to keep an eye on tonight! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bookmark 4A Kamiakin out of the Tri-Cities and check in on their matchups at the Sheridan-Welch Crossover Classic Tournament in Spokane on Saturday. The team is undefeated and has been running away from the rest of the MCC. If seeds hold in pool play, the Braves could face one or more of Mt. Spokane, Post Falls, or North Creek in bracket play. The MCC has limited opportunities for non-conference matchups, playing a total of 16 league games. The team has nine seniors focused on a state trophy; including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250020' first='Peyton' last='Arland']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250021' first='Jule' last='Whitley']</strong>, <strong>Lina Burke</strong>, and league MVP <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250019' first='Rylie' last='Dolven']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about one more 2A matchup for the road- Burlington-Edison and Meridian tonight at Meridian in a 2A/1A Northwest Conference match? B-E are led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250396' first='Lexie' last='Mason']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250397' first='Mia' last='Whitlock']</strong>, they will have to deal with tough senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493150' first='Emry' last='Claeys']</strong> and the rest of an undefeated Meridian team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Prep Dig Washington Top 250 Expo</strong>: <strong>December 2nd 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are excited to bring Washington a Prep Dig Top 250 Expo Showcase this winter! Thank you to the Academy Sportscenter in Lynnwood for use of the awesome facility, we are grateful for the opportunity to play host to the athletes from all over the state there. Our December 2nd event slots in after the State Tournament and Thanksgiving, but before club tournaments fire up. Seniors; I encourage you to make a weekend of it and cap your high school career in the Showcase and playing in the 2023 Senior All-State Volleyball Match the next day, December 3rd at Burlington-Edison High School. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For all the information on the Top 250 Expo follow this link: <a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/</a>, The coverage will be extensive on social media and on Prep Dig, the competition fun and fierce and the coaches working the event knowledgeable. We have a discount code for you to use for $10 off EtterExpo2023, and Early Bird sign up saves another $20 until October 15th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->