Sept. 29 may have been the most stacked night of volleyball in Greater Cincinnati so far this season. There were high-caliber matches on both sides of the river that served as postseason previews.
And there's
only more to come as we enter the final few weeks of the regular season.
As we find ourselves on the last day of September and the calendar flips to October, here are the latest power rankings of the top area teams.
Next in line: Harrison, Milford, Mount Notre Dame, Mason, Ross, Sycamore, Springboro, Goshen, Taylor, Ryle, Bishop Brossart
10. St. Ursula Bulldogs (10-8)
Last week: 5
St. Ursula has its full roster available but is still searching for a statement win. After a month of league play that made up half of the top-notch schedule, the Bulldogs will be treated to a healthy amount of rest between its final three matches and before the start of the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mercy McAuley (Oct. 1), at Sycamore (Oct. 6)
9. St. Henry Crusaders (19-6)
Last week: 10
St. Henry had its six-match winning streak snapped this past Monday but became just the second Bluegrass school to take a set from nationally ranked Assumption. Now the Crusaders look to avenge a loss to Beechwood; a win over the Tigers will keep the Ninth Region race interesting.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Lloyd Memorial (Sept. 30), vs. Beechwood (Oct. 1)
8. Notre Dame Pandas (14-6)
Last week: 9
The Pandas haven't dropped a set in nearly three weeks, a trend that will likely change at this weekend's ASICS Challenge in Chicago. Still, participating in a second high-level in-season tournament, as Notre Dame is accustomed to, shows the Pandas never back down from any opponent ‒ in-state, regional or national.
Upcoming schedule: at Marist (Oct. 1), at ASICS Challenge (Oct. 2 and 3), vs. Holmes (Oct. 5)
7. CHCA Eagles (15-2)
Last week: 6
The Eagles continue to stack up impressive road wins, the latest a four-setter at Fenwick. The rest of the non-Miami Valley Conference schedule is no slouch, though, with trips to St. Ursula and Notre Dame. Those matches will prepare them for the postseason as DIII, Region 12 continues to prove it is one of the top regions in Ohio.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mt. Healthy (Sept. 30)
6. Kings Knights (12-3)
Last week: 8
The Eastern Cincinnati Conference title could come down to the Knights' match against Milford on Oct. 1. Defense at the net will factor heavily in that outcome. Both teams have proven that they have a deep rotation of hitters; the emphasis will be on avoiding mistakes to keep momentum heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Milford (Oct. 1), at Anderson (Oct. 6)
5. Ursuline Lions (10-45)
Last week: 7
Nine of the Lions' 10 wins this season have come during winning streaks. If they can put together another winning streak against the likes of Fenwick, Springboro, McNicholas, Milford, Louisville Sacred Heart and St. Henry, they will be a major contender in the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: at Fenwick (Oct. 1), vs. Springboro (Oct. 3), at McNicholas (Oct. 5)
4. Beechwood Tigers (21-2)
Last week: 4
Beechwood put up a fight against Seton but suffered the same fate that 14 other schools had. The Tigers showed resolve in a strong rebound against Bishop Brossart and now have four high-profile matches left in the regular season. They made plenty of history against the Lady 'Stangs: head coach Matt Long won his 300th game, Skylr Estep recorded her 3,000th assist, and Isabel O'Brien broke the school records for career aces and kills.
Upcoming schedule: at St. Henry (Oct. 1), vs. North Oldham (Oct. 6)
3. Fenwick Falcons (15-2)
Last week: 3
The Falcons will hope a home loss to CHCA is just a blip on the radar, especially as they close out the regular season with five more tough non-league games. Having already secured a share of the Greater Catholic League-Coed, Fenwick has the pieces to roll into the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Ursuline (Oct. 1), at Lakota West (Oct. 5)
2. McNicholas Rockets (14-1)
Last week: 2
There's no stopping the Rockets. They picked up two more easy-as-pie league wins last week and can earn a share of a second straight Greater Catholic League-Coed title with a win over Badin.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Badin (Oct. 1), at Anderson (Oct. 3), vs. Ursuline (Oct. 5)
1. Seton Saints (17-0)
Last week: 1
Seton dropped its first set of the season against St. Ursula on Sept. 24 but responded with a sweep of Beechwood. Yes, the Saints continue to take the schedule one match at a time, but once they finish up league play this week, all eyes turn to their regular-season finale at McNicholas on Oct. 14.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mount Notre Dame (Oct. 1), vs. Mason (Oct. 6)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Stacked contests impact Cincinnati girls volleyball power rankings
