Girls volleyball rankings 9/28

TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Clovis West (11-5) Next: at Clovis North, Oct. 5

2. Liberty-Bakersfield (11-3) Next: at Frontier, Oct. 5

3. Centennial (13-3) Next: vs. Stockdale, Oct. 5

4. Bakersfield (10-3) Next: vs. Independence, Oct. 5

5. Central Valley Christian (11-2) Next: at Exeter, Thursday

6. Frontier (11-6) Next: at Garces, today

7. Stockdale (9-4) Next: at Centennial, Oct. 5

8. Buchanan (8-9) Next: vs. Clovis, Thursday

9. Central (16-6) Next: vs. Hanford West, Thursday

10. Clovis (10-7) Next: at Buchanan, Thursday

DIVISIONAL RANKINGS

D-I 1. Clovis West; 2. Liberty-Bakersfield; 3. Centennial

D-II 1. Tehachapi (17-5-1); 2. El Diamante (9-3); 3. Edison (16-5)

D-III 1. CVC; 2. Independence (6-3); 3. Madera South (13-5)

D-IV 1. Bak. Chris. (23-1); 2. Chowchilla (9-1); 3. Liberty-M.R. (7-3)

D-V 1. Kings Christian (13-3-3); Fresno Christian (13-9-1); Laton (5-2)

THE BUZZ

Clovis West lost four matches last week, but the Golden Eagles won’t be penalized in these rankings considering they came against top competition at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas. Clovis West established its position as the Central Section’s top team with a 25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 25-15 victory at Liberty-Bakersfield on Sept. 21.

Buchanan went 3-4 at Durango. Bears coach Marian Battles is relying on four sophomores (middle blockers Emma Gasman and Jamie Bero, outside hitter Allysa Jones and setter Bissie Den Hartog) and a freshman (outside hitter McKenna Patrick) to replaces seven seniors from last year, including five playing in college. “In the very big picture of the future, I like what I see,” Battles said. “It’s just hard to go through the lumps.”

Stockdale and Central Valley Christian were the champs of local tournaments last weekend. Stockdale defeated Clovis East 25-20, 33-31 in the Gold bracket final of the Madera Classic, while CVC downed Golden West 25-15, 25-12 at the Visalia Classic.

Compiled by Nick Giannandrea / The Fresno Bee