As expected, everyone is chasing Cissna Park and Mahomet-Seymour as we approach the final couple weeks of the season, but the battle within that second tier has been fierce. Here’s how preps coordinator Zach Piatt sees it:
1. Cissna Park
Record: 23-1
Previous ranking: No. 1
Quick hit: Well, the Timberwolves sure seem to have shaken off that first loss of the season back on Sept. 26, as they’re now sporting an eight-match win streak. It’s been the usual suspects: Addison Lucht, Josie Neukomm and Sophie Duis with the kills and Mady Marcott and Ella Schluter assisting.
2. Mahomet-Seymour
Record: 24-3
Previous ranking: No. 2
Quick hit: The Bulldogs hosted their annual M-S Invite last Saturday and came away with a runner-up finish after falling to postseason rival Normal U-High in the championship match. Ava Yeakel, Lily Bosworth and Erin Dallas made the all-tournament team. Now, they can rest up for a whole week.
3. LeRoy
Record: 18-5
Previous ranking: No. 4
Quick hit: The Panthers have been able to take advantage of other teams’ missteps to move up the area ladder. They also swept the Heart of Illinois Conference’s previously top-ranked team in Heyworth thanks to Laila Carr, Kendyl Spratt, Sadee Owens and Ella Mennenga, among others.
4. St. Thomas More
Record: 18-8
Previous ranking: No. 7
Quick hit: After a rough showing at the SETtember Fest two weekends ago, Cassidy Monahan and the Sabers have gotten right back on track with four wins in their last five matches. Their only loss in that span happened against reigning Class 2A state runner-up Bloomington Central Catholic.
5. Westville
Record: 20-6
Previous ranking: No. 3
Quick hit: Bit of an up-and-down week for the Tigers, losing back-to-back matches for the first time this season before a three-set win against Oakwood. In that victory, senior setter Lainey Wichtowski reached 2,500 career assists, the result of her successful longevity at that position for Westville.
6. Georgetown-Ridge Farm
Record: 16-4
Previous ranking: No. 8
Quick hit: Other than Cissna Park and Mahomet-Seymour, the one area team nobody wants to play right now is G-RF. The Buffaloes have extended their winning streak to 11 matches, and latest News-Gazette Athlete of the Week Rubyrae Fraser-Soule has been at the forefront of it all.
7. Arthur-Lovington- Atwood-Hammond
Record: 17-8
Previous ranking: No. 6
Quick hit: The Knights got their Mahomet-Seymour Invite off to a good start with a sweep against Bloomington, but their next four matches had the opposite result. Bella Romine still made the all-tournament team, and last weekend was a good challenge for ALAH against much bigger schools.
8. Arthur Christian
Record: 18-5-1
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Quick hit: The Conquering Riders have quietly but efficiently played their way through this season, and they make their first appearance in the area power rankings this week. Brileigh Mast continues to fill up the stat sheet match after match, and it’s led Arthur Christian to plenty of success this year.
9. Armstrong-Potomac
Record: 16-9
Previous ranking: No. 9
Quick hit: Like ALAH, the Trojans went 1-4 at the Mahomet-Seymour Invite, but they ended it on a high note with a sweep against Urbana. They’ve been locked in since, with two more sweeps against Tri-Point and Watseka. Last weekend’s test might have been just what they needed.
10. Bismarck-Henning/ Rossville-Alvin
Record: 15-6
Previous ranking: No. 10
Quick hit: The Blue Devils crossed the Indiana state border to play Seeger on Monday, which meant they played a best-of-five match. They ultimately fell 3-1 despite 20 kills from Reis McFarland. But BHRA has bounced back with wins against Vermilion Valley Conference foes Hoopeston Area and Chrisman.
