Sept. 29 delivered some of the most intense volleyball matches in Greater Cincinnati this season, shaking up the girls’ power rankings as teams push through the final weeks of regular play.
Seton remains at the top with a 17-0 record despite dropping its first set of the season to St. Ursula on Sept. 24. The Saints quickly bounced back with a sweep of Beechwood, maintaining their undefeated streak in matches. Their upcoming games include a showdown against Mount Notre Dame on Oct. 1 and Mason on Oct. 6, before the season finale at McNicholas on Oct. 14 draws significant attention.
McNicholas holds steady at second place with a 14-1 record. The Rockets extended their winning ways with two straightforward league victories last week and can clinch a share of the Greater Catholic League-Coed title if they beat Badin on Oct. 1. The Rockets will also face Anderson on Oct. 3 and Ursuline on Oct. 5.
Fenwick, sitting third with a 15-2 record, faces a challenging end to the regular season. A recent home loss to CHCA was a rare setback, but with five tough non-league matches remaining, Fenwick is aiming to regroup. The Falcons, who have already secured a share of the Greater Catholic League-Coed crown, will host Ursuline on Oct. 1 and travel to Lakota West on Oct. 5.
Beechwood remains fourth with a 21-2 record. Their recent defeat to Seton was followed by a strong response in a win over Bishop Brossart. The Tigers have several high-profile matches left, including a significant game at St. Henry on Oct. 1 and a home match versus North Oldham on Oct. 6. The program also celebrated milestones against Bishop Brossart: head coach Matt Long earned his 300th win, Skylr Estep recorded her 3,000th assist, and Isabel O’Brien broke school records for career aces and kills.
Ursuline dropped from seventh to fifth in the rankings despite holding a 10-45 record — a figure that appears to be a typographical error in the source material, as it conflicts with typical win-loss totals. The Lions have found success in streaks, with nine of their ten wins coming in such runs. Their upcoming schedule is demanding, with matches against Fenwick (Oct. 1), Springboro (Oct. 3), and McNicholas (Oct. 5).
Kings, at sixth place with a 12-3 record, are in a tight race for the Eastern Cincinnati Conference title. Their game against Milford on Oct. 1 could decide the championship. Both teams have strong hitting rotations, so net defense will be critical in the outcome. Kings will also face Anderson on Oct. 6.
CHCA dropped one spot to seventh after a four-set loss at Fenwick. The Eagles, with a 15-2 record, have a challenging schedule ahead, including matches against St. Ursula and Notre Dame. Their upcoming game versus Mt. Healthy on Sept. 30 is another opportunity to build momentum ahead of the postseason.
Notre Dame moved up a spot to eighth, riding a three-week run without dropping a set. The Pandas, 14-6, will test their skills further at the ASICS Challenge in Chicago on Oct. 2 and 3, continuing their tradition of competing against top-tier teams beyond the state level. Before the tournament, they visit Marist on Oct. 1 and will host Holmes on Oct. 5.
St. Henry climbed one spot to ninth with a 19-6 record after ending a six-match winning streak on Sept. 25. The Crusaders were one of only two Bluegrass schools to take a set off nationally ranked Assumption. Their next two matches will be important: hosting Lloyd Memorial on Sept. 30 and facing Beechwood on Oct. 1. A win over the Tigers would keep the Ninth Region race competitive.
St. Ursula slipped from fifth to tenth despite having its full roster available. The Bulldogs, 10-8, are still searching for a statement win. After a demanding month of league play, they will enjoy some rest with three matches left before postseason action. Their upcoming opponents include Mercy McAuley (Oct. 1) and Sycamore (Oct. 6).
Following the top ten, teams like Harrison, Milford, Mount Notre Dame, Mason, Ross, Sycamore, Springboro, Goshen, Taylor, Ryle, and Bishop Brossart round out the rankings, reflecting the depth of competition across Greater Cincinnati.
As October begins, the intensity only ramps up with critical matches scheduled nearly every night, setting the stage for the postseason battles ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.
