While there was a bit of a shakeup in the rankings this week, the teams at the top remain the same. Clearwater Central Catholic is still the team to beat, but after a 6-0 start and Academy of the Holy Names tournament win — against the best competition in Hillsborough County — Tampa Prep is nipping at the Marauders’ heels. Throw a hot Bloomingdale team into the mix, and the early outlook is good for Tampa Bay teams vying for the top prize.
1. Clearwater Central Catholic (1-0)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at Calvary Christian; Friday, at OVA High School Showcase
Lowdown: Now comes the hard part for the Marauders. A relatively easy 3-0 win over Indian Rocks started the season, but Calvary and the OVA tournament will provide a test.
2. Tampa Prep (6-0)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. Brooks DeBartolo; Friday, at Northside Christian
Lowdown: Not only are the Terrapins undefeated, but they’ve only dropped one set, against a strong Bloomingdale team in the AHN tournament final.
3. Bloomingdale (7-1)
Upcoming matches: Thursday, vs. Alonso; Thursday, at Newsome
Lowdown: Even though the Bulls fell just short of a tournament title at Holy Names, shutout wins against Berkeley Prep, Robinson and Steinbrenner — all 2013 state semifinalists — proved there’s a new ruler of the castle in Hillsborough County.
4. Calvary Christian (4-0)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. CCC; Thursday, vs. Northside Christian
Lowdown: The Warriors made a statement with a sweep of Berkeley Prep. This week will be one of the most difficult of the season.
5. River Ridge (4-0)
Upcoming matches: Monday, vs. Wiregrass Ranch; Thursday, vs. Tarpon Springs
Lowdown: The Knights already have half as many wins as they did all of last season with more than a month of volleyball still left to play. Things are looking up for River Ridge.
6. Sunlake (5-0)
Upcoming matches: Monday, at Pasco; Thursday, vs. Dunedin
Lowdown: Pasco has won four straight, so this will not be an easy week.
7. Fivay (3-0)
Upcoming matches: Monday, vs. Weeki Wachee; Wednesday, vs. Gulf
Lowdown: Senior setter Jordyn Mattos already has 87 assists in three matches.
8. Palm Harbor University (4-0)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. St. Petersburg
Lowdown: The Hurricanes have reloaded. Sophomore Julia Angelo leads the team with 28 kills.
9. Carrollwood Day (3-0)
Upcoming matches: Sept. 16, at Academy at the Lakes; Sept. 22,at Lakeland Christian
Lowdown: The Patriots have a bit of a break but will jump back in the swing of things with a now 3-0 Lakeland Christian team.
10. Seminole (2-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at Pinellas Park
Lowdown: A light week for the Warhawks. Senior outside hitter Samantha Schlesman recently committed to Rollins College.
11. Bishop McLaughlin (2-0)
Upcoming matches: Wednesday, vs. Weeki Wachee; Weekend, host tourney
Lowdown: The Hurricanes will play Brooks DeBartolo, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic, Seven Rivers Christian and Nature Coast in its tournament over the weekend.
12. Plant (0-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at Newsome; Thursday, vs. Riverview
Lowdown: The Panthers haven’t made too much commotion yet, but they’ll have a chance to start off strong with two district matchups this week.
13. Academy of the Holy Names (4-3)
Upcoming match: Thursday, at Venice
Lowdown: The Jaguars, who finished third in the AHN tournament, didn’t achieve their goal of finishing on top, but the level of competition they played against should pay off for the them down the road.
14. Steinbrenner (4-4)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. Sickles; Thursday vs. Robinson
Lowdown: Steinbrenner has hit an early rough patch, but with one of the best hitters in Hillsborough County on the roster, we think they Warriors will turn it around.
15. Berkeley Prep (2-3)
Upcoming matches: Thursday, at Booker
Lowdown: They might not be the Bucs of old, but Berkeley Prep’s tradition means it’s likely the formerly dominant program will get back on its feet.
16. Newsome (3-0)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. Plant; Thursday, vs. Bloomingdale
Lowdown: The Wolves have started strong but will be truly tested this week against the top two teams in their district last season.
17. St. Petersburg (1-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at PHU; Thursday, at Osceola
Lowdown: First district match against PHU should be a close one. Green Devils are led by outside hitter Kaylan Marckese.
18. Mitchell (2-1)
Upcoming matches: Monday, vs. Hudson; Tuesday, vs. Dixie Hollins; Thursday, vs. Gulf
Lowdown: The Mustangs should pick up a couple of wins this week.
19. Wharton (2-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at Riverview; Thursday, vs. Alonso
Lowdown: Wharton has a loss, but considering it was at the hands of Berkeley Prep, we’ll cut the Wildcats a break.
20. Indian Rocks Christian (3-3)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. Tampa Catholic; Thursday vs. Lakewood
Lowdown: A humbling loss to CCC last week. This week the Golden Eagles have a chance to get back on track.
21. Hernando (3-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, vs. Weeki Wachee; Thursday, at Pasco
Lowdown: Sophomore Ali Bronson has emerged as the leader up front for the Leopards.
22. Tampa Catholic (3-1)
Upcoming matches: Tuesday, at IRC
Lowdown: Tampa Catholic’s only loss is to Tampa Prep, and the Crusaders quickly rebounded with wins against Lakeland and Seffner Christian.
23. Pasco (4-2)
Upcoming matches: Tonight, vs. Sunlake; Wednesday, at Ridgewood; Thursday, vs. Hernando
Lowdown: Pirates have won four straight after dropping first two matches.
24. Weeki Wachee (4-2)
Upcoming matches: Monday at Fivay; Tuesday, at Hernando; Wednesday at Bishop McLaughlin
Lowdown: A tough schedule doesn’t get any easier this week. Three matches in three nights against quality opponents.
25. Wiregrass Ranch (2-2)
Upcoming matches: Monday, at River Ridge; Wednesday, at Gaither; Friday vs. Freedom
Lowdown: It took Fivay five sets to beat the feisty Bulls, who will be challenged again tonight against a River Ridge team on a win streak.
In the conversation: East Lake (2-0), King (2-1), Durant (2-2), Northside Christian (2-1)