The girls volleyball teams in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky continue to surprise us.
In the past week, Fenwick beat Ursuline, which turned around and knocked off McNicholas. Beechwood also took down St. Henry for the second time this season.
While the citywide power rankings see minimal change from last week, there is still the possibility for a shake up in the final weeks of the regular season as the top teams continue to play each other and rack up common opponents.
Once again, here are the top 10 teams in Greater Cincinnati.
Next in line: Harrison, Milford, Mount Notre Dame, Mason, Ross, Taylor, Sycamore, Springboro, Goshen, Ryle, Bishop Brossart
10. St. Ursula Bulldogs (12-8)
Last week: 10
The Bulldogs have rebounded with wins over Mercy McAuley and Sycamore but face tests
against CHCA to close out the regular season. Both wins were true team efforts as St. Ursula hasn't looked this well-rounded since the early weeks of the season.
Upcoming schedule: vs. CHCA (Oct. 8)
9. St. Henry Crusaders (20-7)
Last week: 9
St. Henry was overpowered in a four-set loss to Beechwood. Matches against Mercy, Ursuline and Fenwick to end the regular season could result in a slump before the district tournament, but every match is a learning experience for the Crusaders, who have only two seniors.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar (Oct. 8), vs. Mercy (Oct. 12), vs. Ursuline (Oct. 13)
8. Notre Dame Pandas (18-9)
Last week: 8
There are two ways to look at the Pandas' last week. Yes, they went 3-3 against top-tier competition in Chicago, but they have also won eight straight matches against in-state competition. Two of Notre Dame's four remaining matches are against top-five teams in Kentucky, giving the Pandas a chance to make a real statement before the postseason starts.
Upcoming schedule: at Dixie Heights (Oct. 7), vs. Beechwood at Boone County (Oct. 10), vs. CHCA (Oct. 13)
7. Kings Knights (14-3)
Last week: 6
The Knights' winning streak has reached 11 matches. They thoroughly dominated a home match against Milford that all but clinched a fourth Eastern Cincinnati Conference in the last five years, serving 19 aces and holding the Eagles to a .171 hitting percentage on just 76 swings. Kings is about to enter its busiest stretch of the season since they played five matches in three days in late August.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Little Miami (Oct. 8), at Lebanon (Oct. 12), at West Clermont (Oct. 13)
6. CHCA Eagles (16-2)
Last week: 7
The Eagles responded to a five-set loss to Harrison in the best way possible by taking down Fenwick on the road. They've dealt with the injury bug for the last few weeks but have had a week to rest up before a hectic final week.
Upcoming schedule: at Cincinnati Country Day (Oct. 7), at St. Ursula (Oct. 8), at Notre Dame (Oct. 13)
5. Ursuline Lions (12-6)
Last week: 5
All of the sudden, a five-match winning streak to end the regular season is looking like a reality after the Lions defended home court against McNicholas, the top team in DIII. Jillian Forrest, Kelsey Green and Willow Smith combined for 15 of Ursuline's 20 blocks. Green and Mina Radaszewski recorded double-doubles in the same match for the fourth time this season. Ursuline is also back to full strength with the return of Annamarie Rajavarma.
Upcoming schedule: at Milford (Oct. 7), at Sacred Heart (Oct. 10), at St. Henry (Oct. 13)
4. Beechwood Tigers (28-2)
Last week: 4
When Beechwood beat St. Henry on Aug. 27, it backed it up with a win over Lexington Catholic. After taking down the Crusaders on the road on Oct. 1, the Tigers traveled to the Jefferson County Invitational Tournament and won five more matches, including wins over West Jessamine, Christian Academy and Ballard. The biggest test of the season comes this Saturday against Notre Dame. Beechwood will be the clear-cut regional favorite with a win.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Lloyd Memorial (Oct. 8), vs. Notre Dame at Boone County (Oct. 10), vs. Highlands (Oct. 12), vs. Newport Central Catholic (Oct. 13)
3. McNicholas Rockets (16-2)
Last week: 2
McNicholas had its 13-match winning streak snapped in a tight contest at Ursuline, a loss that obviously doesn't damage the resume very much. This is a team that hates losing and will look to rebound in a big way.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mercy McAuley (Oct. 8), at Mount Notre Dame (Oct. 12)
2. Fenwick Falcons (17-2)
Last week: 3
The Falcons served 11 aces in a win over Ursuline, their 13th match with double-digit aces. While six of their last 10 matches have gone to four sets, including two losses, fatigue doesn't appear to be a factor. While Fenwick closes the regular season on back-to-back days, it shouldn't have to sweat too much in the first week of the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mount Notre Dame (Oct. 8), at Roger Bacon (Oct. 13)
1. Seton Saints (19-0)
Last week: 1
Just two matches over the last week gave the Saints some time off after a month full of Girls Greater Catholic League play. They are also ready to dominate the remainder of the regular season; after not losing a set through 14 matches, they dropped two sets in a three-match span for the first time in two years.
Upcoming schedule: at Oak Hills (Oct. 7), vs. Anderson (Oct. 12)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: GCL-Coed teams swap places in new Cincinnati volleyball power rankings
