Monday Whiteboard: News and Notes 10/9

Rankings, Polls and RPI!   Here is our look at the RPI computer rankings from the WIAA and the coaches' poll rankings from the WSVBBCA.   All the top RPI teams continue to have an unblemished record, and remember only official matches count, tournaments are not taken into account. Here are the top teams in each class in the RPI compared to the rankings from the September 27th Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association:   4A: Coaches- Puyallup (6th in RPI). RPI: Gonzaga Prep (6th in Coaches).   3A: Coaches and RPI- North Thurston.   2A: Coaches-Columbia River (5th in RPI) RPI: Shadle Park (9th in Coaches).   1A: Coaches and RPI- Cedar Park Christian (Bothell).   2B: Coaches- Manson (3rd in RPI). RPI: Adna (2nd in Coaches).   1B: Coaches: Oakesdale (2nd RPI). RPI: Neah Bay (2nd in Coaches)   There are two levels with matching teams in both rankings, 3A and 1A, however, 2B and 1B are extremely close. Only one team with an (official) loss is listed at the top of either, Puyallup in 4A. Puyallup dropped a 5-set battle early in the season to Olympia (#4 RPI and #7 Coaches). They can solidify their top spot in the Coaches and improve their RPI with games against highly ranked Curtis (#7/#3) and the rematch against Olympia at home next week.   The 1B and 2B schools are the first to start playoffs and have the first dates for the State Tournament on November 8th and 9th in Yakima. While the 4 2B/1B teams listed above all have a great chance to be in those title games, there are always surprises, and teams that may have been missing a critical player or have taken some losses to teams in a higher division will have a say once the playoff tournaments begin.   The next WSVCA Rankings go live on the 11th of October, check out the rankings at <a href="https://www.wsvbca.com/">https://www.wsvbca.com/</a>. Coaches- the WSVCA needs you to vote in the rankings!   WHERE ARE THEY NOW?   Each Monday we will be checking in on players from the class of 2023 at the next level.   Kenzie Nealon had an exciting debut at the college level for Montana State University Billings this weekend. In her first action of the season, Nealon recorded 11 kills and 4 blocks to help the Jackets knock off the Western Washington Vikings for the first time in nine seasons. The 6'0 outside hitter from Richland teamed with another former Washington athlete, senior Olivia Schwartz from Ferris in Spokane who recorded a career-high 19 kills of her own.   Kyleene Filimaua may not have arrived at Florida State expecting to play in the libero spot, but the multi-talented former Gatorade Player of the Year has made the transition appear seamless. Filimaua has taken the bro' jersey on after injuries have depleted the position for the Seminoles, and recently recorded a double/double in assists and digs in a 5-set win over Miami. Florida State stands at 11-6,5-0 in the ACC with the pride of North Creek contributing in a big way!     MATCHUPS TO WATCH THIS WEEK   UNDER REVIEW- The matchups to watch last week were Mt. Spokane and Ridgeline in a 3A match in the Greater Spokane League, Gig Harbor, and North Thurston facing off in the 3A South Sound, and La Connor and Orcas Island playing in a 2B/1B contest. North Thurston swept Gig Harbor, and the Rams are looking like a team with state title aspirations. Ridgeline started slowly at Mt. Spokane and the Wildcats took the victory at home in 4 sets. Ridgeline played their usual scrappy defense, and Mt. Spokane pushed through with solid play from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='246353' first='Jordyn' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252593' first='Jillian' last='Davis']. Davis racked up 17 kills in the victory while [player_tooltip player_id='251542' first='Makayla' last='Hickman'] tallied a career-high 37 digs for the Falcons in the setback. La Connor handled Orcas Island in a sweep, then had a tough match against Manson that they dropped in 3. La Conner had played a very difficult non-league schedule and still has 4A Glacier Peak coming up.   Ellensburg will be part of the Burlington-Edison Invite on Saturday, we hope the host Tigers post the results and/or stream the games for fans to check in on. Ellensburg is starting to roll, and added transfers [player_tooltip player_id='250022' first='Aubrey' last='Tornow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='449819' first='Joely' last='Tornow'] to team up with a great core in place led by [player_tooltip player_id='266201' first='Hazel' last='Murphy'], [player_tooltip player_id='250508' first='Alana' last='Marrs'] and Sara Stuekle. The Bulldogs are right back in the mix to take home a state trophy again this season. This weekend's tournament should give the team the opportunity to play some big matches against competitive 2A teams.   Puyallup vs. Olympia on Thursday is a marquee 4A matchup between ranked teams with excellent players. Olympia will have to go to Puyallup and try to take down the Vikings for the second time this season. Both of the squads have highly ranked players like [player_tooltip player_id='230155' first='Danielle' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='245154' first='Hannah' last='Byers'], sometimes other players step up and make the difference in a heated match. Senior captain [player_tooltip player_id='493175' first='Leilah' last='Lemalu'] has played well for Puyallup all season, the senior attacker has been on fire in recent matches, recording 19 kills in a win over Bethel. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='245165' first='Ava' last='Hoy'] has taken charge of the Olympia defense, leading the team in digs and serve receive, while dishing out accurate second ball sets in transition.   The 1A matchup to watch is a rematch in the Emerald Sound Conference- Kings vs. Cedar Park Christian. Kings played well against both Lake Washington and North Creek in non-league matchups, and have good size and skill at setter with Stella Hollingberry. Cedar Park Christian defeated Kings in 5 sets during the first meeting, [player_tooltip player_id='251054' first='Mikayla' last='Liljenquist'], [player_tooltip player_id='493136' first='Joslyn' last='Greff'], and Aubrey Frederickson are dynamic players for the Eagles.   AVCA PLAYER OF THE WEEK- WASHINGTON   Each and every week the AVCA and MaxPreps award a player of the week to each state. To be eligible for the award players must have their stats updated in MaxPreps. Check out the awards here,<a href="https://www.avca.org/award/2023-maxpreps-avca-girls-high-school-players-of-the-week-award-week-7/."> https://www.avca.org/award/2023-maxpreps-avca-girls-high-school-players-of-the-week-award-week-7/.</a> This week's winner is 2024 setter [player_tooltip player_id='238278' first='Katelyn' last='Eichert'] from Lake Stevens. Eichert has Lake Stevens rolling along with the rest of the squad, the Vikings are building towards an end-of-the-year peak.      North Idaho Minute   Addy Mckarcher | 6'0 MB/OH | 2025 | Lewiston | CPA. Mckarcher is a player from Lewiston to keep an eye on, a middle during the club season who can play all the way around in high school, she blasted 34 kills on 57 swings in a 5-set nail-biting loss to Lake City, adding 18 digs and 6 blocks. She is a problem!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://vimeo.com/869209658 </div></figure>     The Prep Dig Washington Top 250 Expo: December 2nd, 2023   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 play in the 2023 Senior All-State Volleyball Match the next day, December 3rd at Burlington-Edison High School.   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 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.   ATTENTION CLUB COACHES: Please enter and personalize your club program on the site, when we add a player or a player sets their own free profile they can choose the club and it will have all your social media contact information, logo, etc added.     Here is a link to the club program setup page: <a href="https://prepdig.com/create-your-program/">https://prepdig.com/create-your-program/</a>.

Rankings, Polls and RPI!