The Northeast region (Connecticut, Main, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) has about a full month under its belt and it’s time to take a look at which teams have been worthy of a top 25 ranking.
1. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, NJ
Record: 9-0
Impact Wins: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (NY), Northern Valley Old Tappan (NJ), Northern Valley Demarest (NJ)
Notes: A perennial powerhouse in the Garden State, IHA has once again started off the season in mid-season form. Undefeated at 9-0 with some major wins over BHBL and both Northern Valley squads, Old Tappan and Demurest, seniors Maddie Sandt, Abby Romero, and Kalena Stavish have paced the Blue Eagle offense and helped them win the Livingston Invitational this past weekend for the third straight year.
2. St. Mary’s (Lancaster, New York)
Record: 19-2
Impact Wins: Portville (NY), Penfield (NY), Fairport (NY)
Notes: St. Mary’s has a nearly perfect record, holding wins over some of the best teams in the state. Both of the team’s losses were against out of state teams in tournament play at the Nike TOC Southeast. The clear standout for this team is senior Carson Tyler, who has over 200 kills this season, averaging 4.9 per set.
3. Pope John Paul II (Royersford, Pennsylvania)
Record: 18-0-2
Impact Wins: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (NY), Unionville (PA)
Notes: PJP has had a solid season so far, technically undefeated outside of a pair of tournament ties, defeating top-tier teams from New York and Pennsylvania.
4. Unionville (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)
Record: 11-2-1
Impact Wins: Upper Merion Area, Downingtown West
Notes: They’ve had some ups and downs this season, but the Longhorns have had far more ups, winning 11 matches so far. A loss and a ‘tie- against Pope John Paul II and a technical one-set loss to Downington West look to be outliers from the team’s otherwise successful campaign. Senior Brianna Miller paces the offense with 43 kills so far this season, followed closely by fellow senior Vivien Geiger with 31.
5. Westborough (Massachusetts)
Record: 6-0
Impact Wins: Barnstable, Shrewsbury
Notes: It’s still early in the season, but Westborough has been on fire already, winning six straight matches. Senior Quinn Anderson has smoked the competition, earning over 125 kills already in just 6 matches, working in tandem with junior…