By David Hoffman
CoachesAid.com Nevada Content Coordinator
As the 2009 Nevada 4A girl’s high school volleyball playoffs draw near, it has become very apparent there are those teams whose playoff futures are very bright. Among the teams whose aspirations are brighter than a neon lit Reno or Las Vegas night are the members of our current CoachesAid.com Top 10.
On the other hand there are a few teams who will be sitting on pins and needles hoping their records will be enough to get them in come playoff time. So who will be in? Who will be waiting with aching backsides? Let’s take a look at the latest CANV 4A Top 10.
(Last weeks ranking in parenthesis)
1-(2) Bishop Manogue (17-4)
The Miners blew out previous #1 Damonte Ranch 3-1, on the Mustang home court no less, using a combination of power and effective passing to do so. Grace and Sofia Anxo, along with Sondra Arnett have been lights out and the Miners remain unbeaten in league play. They did, however, need five games to top Douglas.
Manogue's Grace Anxo has the Miners clicking on all cylinders.
2-(1) Damonte Ranch (26-2) OR (9-19)
The reason for the disparate records above? An honest mistake, according to the NIAA, has forced the Mustangs to forfeit their first 17 games. That said, DR did defeat all the teams without much problem and they are still 9-1 since the “Mistake”. We choose to keep them ranked where they are because of what they have done on the court. Plus they will have the same team the rest of the way. Enough said.
3-(3) Silverado (20-6)
The Skyhawks showdown with Green Valley was postponed due to a power failure. So no change for now for Taylor Richard and Company.
4-(4) Green Valley (21-4)
If not for the first head to head loss to Silverado earlier this year in tournament play the Gators might be #3. With two matches yet to play against Silverado things could get even brighter for Siga Applegate and her teammates.
5-(6) Douglas (24-4)
The Tigers played tough with Manogue going to a five game decision before falling. Jackie Harper, Jourdan Burke, and Mysta Townsell have been really doing a job.
6-(5) Bishop Gorman (17-3)
The Gaels lead their league with a 10-0 mark and continue to rate with the top half dozen in the state. Taylor Sanzo, Shelby Devlin, Breanna Rubalcaba and Brooke McKenna all played well last week for the Gaels.
Bishop Gorman's young front line will be tested during the Durango Classic.
7-(7) Reno (13-5)
The Huskies have won nine matches in a row behind the play of Aubrey Mitchell and Lauren Bradley. They did sweep Douglas 3-0 earlier this year so they have that going for them as well.
8-(9) Palo Verde (14-4)
The Panthers defeated Centennial 3-2 but then fell to Faith Lutheran in another 3-2 match. Tori Lounsbery, Ainsley Lovejoy and Cheryl Iddings continue to keep Palo machine humming.
9-(8) Centennial (18-8)
Lacy Miyahira led the Bulldogs past Faith Lutheran with help from Morgan Vieira and Alli Tatom. Centennial is sitting atop the NW league with a 9-1.
10-(10) Faith Lutheran (17-8)
The Crusaders lost to Centennial but then beat Palo yet still their 8-2 league mark keeps them in 3rd behind both teams. Kelsey McCourt and Megan Hauser had outstanding performances to lead the way in a win over Boulder City.
Faith Lutheran's Megan Hauser crushes this kill against Centennial in NW league action. (Image courtesy NOS Prep Sports)
Teams that are feeling the playoff glow include:
Las Vegas- The Wildcats lead the weak NE division with an unblemished 8-0 mark but they are only 13-11 overall.
Sierra Vista- SV has a 9-1 mark in the SW behind Gorman and is a solid 14-4 overall.
Coronado- The Cougs are sitting at 6-2 behind Silverado and Green Valley with a 16-9 overall mark.
Valley- The Vikings are 7-1 (8-2 overall) behind only Las Vegas in the NE.
McQueen is 9-3 up North and playing very well. They have a big match with Reno next week.
Pahrump Valley is 7-3 in the SW (15-9 overall) but it may come down to the next SW match with Bonanza who is also 7-3 (11-8).
Other Volleyball Notes
Lake Mead defeated Pahranaghat Valley 3-1 to improve to 21-4 in 1A. Ashley Newton, Amanda Wellman and Jocelyn Cox lead the Eagles to the win over PV, which fell to 15-2 and 5-1 in the 1A Southern Division.
Lincoln County (2A) upped their record to 21-2 and a perfect 8-0 in league. A showdown with The Meadows (6-0 in league play) is up coming.
Whittell and Truckee will be looking to renew their rivalry as 2A playoff time rolls around.
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