Latest Daily News Volleyball Rankings
We're halfway through league play and several girls volleyball teams find themselves on a roll.
Here's the Daily News new Top 5. Guess who's No. 1?
1. Cal-Hi (10-0)
DN Preseason Ranking: 1
Received votes in Division III-AA, but unranked
When you haven't lost a match this season it's hard to be anything other than No. 1. The Condors are the area's deepest squad and have at least four girls that could post 10 kills a match in Marissa Rangel, Channelle Puou, Kelsey Stehle and Dannielle Beauvais. Cal-Hi has already defeated La Mirada, Whittier Christian, La Serna and St. Paul this season to name a few local programs. The last game of the season against La Serna should be great. Only oddity is that while the Condors win, they keep on falling on the CIF-SS polls.
2. La Habra (16-4)
DN Preseason Ranking: 3
Ranked No. 5 in Division II-AA
La Habra has only lost ONE GAME in the last month and has reeled off eight straight wins. It's hard to pick against the towers of Jocelyn Neely (6-foot-1) and Whittany Radcliffe (6-foot-2). It's a good thing the Highlanders are competing in the Redondo Tournament later on in the month because this league schedule isn't really preparing them for the playoffs.
3. La Serna (8-7)
DN Preseason Ranking: Unranked
Unranked in Division III-AA
Winners of 7-of-9, the Lancers had a bit of a setback Tuesday against Cal-Hi in a four-game defeat. However, Mollie Kavanagh's bunch knows that they can play with the best in the area and will be primed for the end of the season rematch against Cal on Nov. 1, which will likely be for a league title. It's been exciting to see the rapid development of sophomores Karli Nelson (OH) and Kelcie Randazzo (S).
4. La Mirada (17-3)
DN Preseason Ranking: 2
Ranked No. 8 in Division III-A
La Mirada has the most wins of any area squad and has been crushing teams left and right in an average Suburban League. La Mirada did beat La Serna earlier in the year, however, both teams have changed since that game. Like La Habra, the Matadores haven't had much of a challenge in league and have been led by the solid play of Kiki Salazar and Jodi Watkins. One area of concern comes in the kill ratio department, where the Matadores need to be more proficient if they are to make a run in the postseason.
5. St. Paul (15-3)
DN Preseason Ranking: 4
Ranked No. 7 in Division IV-AA
Any other year and the Swordsmen would be higher on this list. St. Paul's three losses have come against quality opponents and the Swordsmen seem to be a shoe-in for a Camino Real League title. While much attention has been given to star hitter Katie Saavedra, St. Paul's Victoria Polo (2.6 kills a game) and Shannon Young (1.8 kills a game) have proven that this team is not one-dimensional. The bad news for St. Paul is that play in an incredibly tough Division IV-AA. We'll see how they do come playoff time.
On the bubble: El Rancho (6-7), Santa Fe (6-4) and Montebello (6-5).
Agree or Disagree with the rankings? What's your opinion...
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About this blog
Roger Murray is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
wow!! I was just trying to get our girls a little recognition, lots of luck!!!!
i dont care what st. paul people say or la serna people say! cal hi is better then both of you guys and you know it. we beat you both and we will do it again!
Lancers VB,
That is a poor analogy! You are making all your points on assumptions. Give credit when credit is due. Both teams played well. If St. Paul had met Maranatha in the quarters like La Serna did, then La Serna would have been third and St. Paul fifth. The only team St. Paul played from the same division as Burbank was San Marino, to which they lost in three games. If St. Paul were in the Del Rio, they wouldn't even make the playoffs.
Come on now if my aunt had a pair she would be my uncle, catch my drift. STop making assumptions and respect the success of each school rankings dont mean squat, if you knew anything they are strictly objective opinions.
Hey Bill,
Please do a little fact checking before you post. La Serna lost to Maranatha 25-19 while St. Paul lost 25-21. Two points is not that big a difference.
Second of all, La Serna went undefeated in its bracket while St. Paul didn't. In fact, St. Paul lost to a very average San Marino team (I'll get back to that in a moment).
Third, La Serna finished the tournament 4-1, losing only to Maranatha. St. Paul finished 5-2. If St. Paul had met Maranatha in the quarters like La Serna did, then La Serna would have been third and St. Paul fifth.
Lastly, St. Paul's biggest win in the tournament came against a decent Gabrielino team from Division III-A. La Serna defeated a good Burbank team from Division II-A. The only team St. Paul played from the same division as Burbank was San Marino, to which they lost in three games.
The ranking are fair and guess what Bill? If St. Paul were in the Del Rio, they wouldn't even make the playoffs.
i was at the gabrielino tournament this past weekend and i watched la serna play, its hard for me to understand how the daily news ranks them below st. paul. the lady swordsmen came in 3rd out of 48 teams with a tough loss to marinatha (23-25), who smashed la serna!!! st. paul is on the verge of winning league this year for the 1st time in 40 years and is looking towards their big hitters katie saavedra, shannon young victoria polo and setter stephanie palma to lead them into playoffs!!! keep up the great work
Condor girls keep up the great work... you girls are unstoppable! you have the whole league scared!
La Habra is having an awesome season! They have great leadership from thier Senior players Whittany Radcliffe and Jocelyn Neely put those two together and they are the one-two punch!!
keep it up lady highlanders!!
Just wondering what criteria determines the photo pics for the prep sports cover page in football? I thought "Whittier" daily news would highlight Whittier league teams (emphasis on the plural), not just one team, i.e. La Serna which to date twice has been the highlighted coverage in games with somewhat predictable outcomes.
La Habra is an Orange County team and this fan is of the opinion their coverage should take a second page spot following the Whittier teams highlights.
It would be encouraging to all the other local teams players to know they have a chance to be highlighted in their local paper, especially the underdog teams who have overcome big obstacles to work their way up through the winning side of things.
I'm really suprised that the condors arn't ranked considering they are kicking butt. I know these girls are going to make it far and contend for CIF no doubt
Our Lady Condors are the real deal!!
We are also getting solid play from Katie Newcomb and her twin, Lauren Newcomb--the setter.
And we have the prettiest team :)
Keep it up, girls!!