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HomeTeam 25: Volleyball rankings Week 4

 
Jacqueline St. Cin (10) of Shorecrest, dives for the ball during the 3A-8 semi finals on Tuesday October 20, 2015 at Indian Rocks Christian in Largo.  Shorecrest defeated Indian Rocks 3 to 1.
Jacqueline St. Cin (10) of Shorecrest, dives for the ball during the 3A-8 semi finals on Tuesday October 20, 2015 at Indian Rocks Christian in Largo. Shorecrest defeated Indian Rocks 3 to 1.
Published Sept. 13, 2016

1. Berkeley Prep (5-0)

This week: Tuesday vs. Tampa Catholic, Friday-Saturday at Berkeley Invitational

The skinny: The Bucs beat a very good Venice team last week 3-1. They followed that with a 3-1 win over Palm Harbor University. Berkeley Prep is going to be very hard to beat when hitters Jenna Hampton, Kellyn Trowse and middle blocker Amanda Phegley are on. And setter Zoe Gries is one of the best in the area.

2. Plant (6-0)

This week: Thursday vs. Wiregrass Ranch, Friday-Saturday at Berkeley Invitational

The skinny: The Panthers beat both Tallahassee Chiles and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney last weekend. The only surprise was that they lost a game to Cardinal Mooney. Thursday's match should be a good one, and the Panthers are sure to be tested at the Berkeley Invitational.

3. Palm Harbor University (4-1)

This week: Monday at Berkeley Prep

The skinny: The Hurricanes are currently playing without sophomore hitter Jessica Angelo, who has an injured left ankle. But PHU still has enough talent to bounce back from Monday's loss to Berkeley Prep.

4. Clearwater Central Catholic (8-0)

This week: Tuesday vs. Academy of the Holy Names, Thursday vs. Seffner Christian

The skinny: CCC is off to a nice start. Anna Vollmer and Cameron Fitzpatrick have been a good one-two punch at the net. Libero Channing Chambers has 122 digs to lead the team. And setter Ashten Fulk has 191 assists.

5. Academy of the Holy Names (8-0)

This week: Tuesday at Clearwater Central Catholic

The skinny: The Jaguars are going to be a force in Class 5A, District 9. Tuesday's match against CCC will be a good gauge as to where the Wildcats are early in the season. Senior Camille Opp has 96 kills and junior Katherine Pickard isn't far behind with 71. Junior Vanessa Davila has 24 aces and senior Kendall Bulleit has 193 assists as the setter.

6. Tampa Bay HEAT (3-0)

This week: Tuesday at Carrollwood Day

The skinny: The HEAT has not played much yet, but that will change in the future. The match against Carrollwood Day will be a good test.

7. Carrollwood Day (5-1)

This week: Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay HEAT, Friday-Saturday at Berkeley Invitational

The skinny: The lone loss came to Academy of the Holy Names in the AHM tournament final. There are already some quality wins on the schedule, including Wharton and Robinson. Expect the Patriots to be the favorites in Class 3A, District 4.

8. Wiregrass Ranch (5-1)

This week: Tuesday vs. Wharton, Wednesday vs. Brooks DeBartolo, Thursday at Plant

The skinny: The Bulls will try to get back on the winning track after losing to Steinbrenner 3-0 last week. This is another tough week, especially the Class 8A, District 8 match against Plant on Thursday.

9. East Lake (3-1)

This week: Tuesday vs. Pinellas Park, Wednesday vs. Dixie Hollins

The skinny: Not the toughest of weeks for the Eagles, who should be able to get a couple wins. Danielle Ballou is a versatile player who has 57 kills and 37 digs. Jordan Duffy has also played well at the net so far.

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10. St. Petersburg (7-1)

This week: Thursday vs. Seminole

The skinny: The Green Devils won the Keswick Invitational, defeating Cambridge Christian in the Gold Division final. Senior Jessica Stroemich was named the tournament's MVP. St. Petersburg has already defeated Seminole once this season, so the win streak should continue.

11. Shorecrest (7-1)

This week: Tuesday at Cambridge Christian, Thursday vs. St. Petersburg Catholic

The skinny: The Chargers' only blemish was the opening match against Tampa Bay HEAT, and that went five sets. They have two district games this week, so it will be a good chance to take an early lead. Jacqueline St. Cin has been hard to stop with 116 kills.

12. Calvary Christian (6-2)

This week: Tuesday vs. Northside Christian

The skinny: The Warriors pulled out a nice five-set win over Tampa Catholic last week. This week provides another test against Northside Christian. They have four straight district matches so these next two weeks will be telling.

13. Steinbrenner (3-1)

This week: Tuesday at Gaither, Thursday at Freedom

The skinny: The Warriors picked up a nice win over Wiregrass Ranch. They are a young but talented team. Sophomore Morgan Murphy and freshman Maggie Miller have played well at the net.

14. Fivay (6-1)

This week: Tuesday at Wesley Chapel, Wednesday at River Ridge, Thursday vs. Gulf

The skinny: The lone loss came last week against Lakeland George Jenkins at the Lake Highland tournament. Now comes another busy week with early district implications. Hailey Lake, Kirbea Harrell and Taylor Berryhill will need to stay consistent up front.

15. Newsome (5-2)

This week: Monday vs. Durant, Tuesday vs. Riverview

The skinny: Newsome bounced back from a loss to Sarasota Riverview by beating Alonso 3-0 and Durant 3-1 on Monday. Camila Vazquez is the offensive leader with 90 kills.

16. Tampa Catholic (3-2)

This week: Tuesday at Berkeley Prep, Saturday vs. Orlando Timber Creek

The skinny: The Crusaders are hoping to bounce back from a close loss to Calvary Christian. Unfortunately, Berkeley Prep awaits. Sophomore Elissa Alcantara is off to a good start, with 65 kills. Senior Caroline Perret has led the defense with 111 digs.

17. Robinson (5-3)

This week: Monday at Middleton, Thursday vs. Jefferson

The skinny: Not a good week for the Knights after dropping three matches at the AHN tournament. They bounced back with a sweep of Middleton on Monday. Jefferson is a district game, so expect the Knights to be ready.

18. Mitchell (4-3)

This week: Thursday at Springstead

The skinny: The Mustangs have won two straight and appear to be getting used to new coach Heidi Michaels. It's early, but they still lead Class 7A, District 8 and could take a bigger lead with a win over Springstead.

19. Osceola (4-0)

This week: Tuesday at Dixie Hollins

The skinny: The Warriors could not be off to a better start, and it doesn't look to end this week. The schedule has not been overly demanding, but a tough match against East Lake looms in two weeks.

20. Hernando (4-1)

This week: Tuesday vs. Citrus, Thursday vs. Central

The skinny: Hernando is hoping to get back on track after losing to Lecanto last week. Ali Bronson is the offensive leader and also has 37 digs on defense.

21. Tarpon Springs (5-1)

This week: Tuesday at Indian Rocks Christian, Wednesday vs. Seminole, Thursday vs. Bradenton Bayshore

The skinny: Tarpon Springs is off to a nice start. The Spongers' only loss came last week against Shorecrest at the Keswick tournament. This week is busy, but they are also winnable matches.

22. Ridgewood (3-2)

This week: Tuesday at Gulf, Thursday vs. Pasco

The skinny: The Rams got off to a slow start but have won three straight. Senior Johannah Cummines is the top offensive player with 53 kills, eight aces and 69 digs. This week isn't overly taxing, so they should take a step up in the district.

23. Academy at the Lakes (6-2)

This week: Tuesday vs. Keswick Christian, Friday-Saturday at Bishop McLaughlin Invitational.

The skinny: The Wildcats won five of six matches at the Keswick Invitational last week. They will play another tournament this weekend, so they are sure to be seasoned when district matches roll around. Freshman Lauren Reinhart, sophomore Liz Hannah and sophomore Lexi Kilfoyl lead the young team.

24. Northside Christian (4-2)

This week: Tuesday at Calvary Christian, Thursday at Admiral Farragut

The skinny: The Mustangs picked up some quality wins at the Keswick tournament, including against Countryside and Cambridge Christian. Senior Dani Bierman is the leader at outside hitter.

25. Cambridge Christian (5-3)

This week: Tuesday vs. Shorecrest, Thursday at Tampa Prep

The skinny: The Lancers went 3-1 at the Keswick tournament. Lauren Odom and Anna Dale have been good at the net, with 45 and 43 kills, respectively.

On the bubble: Clearwater, Weeki Wachee, Wharton, East Bay, Northeast, Gulf, River Ridge, Countryside.