The VST Girls Volleyball power rankings are back after a jam-packed week of action. The West Valley League is well represented in the list, but it is an East Valley squad that takes the top spot following a dominant stretch of play. Here is the latest edition of the hottest teams in the San Fernando Valley heading into play this week:

1. Grant Lancers (15-2)
   The Lancers have bullied most of their opposition in recent weeks. Before dropping their opening match in the tournament at La Serna over the past weekend, the Lancers had won the last 23 sets they had played. After beating Arleta in straight sets last week, it feels like the East Valley might be a foregone conclusion.
2. El Camino Real Royals (16-10)
   The Royals have shaken off the early-season rust and look like they have what it takes to win the West Valley. With their size and athleticism, this team is hard to stop when they are rolling.
3. Taft Toreadors (22-11)
   The defending champions have been inconsistent lately compared to their early-season success, but they are a dangerous team to deal with. They have a big week hosting El Camino Real and Cleveland this week.
4. Chatsworth Chancellors (18-10)
   The Chancellors have been up and down, but they found their mojo, winning their last two matches. The Chancellors have a big week ahead, hosting Cleveland, Burroughs, and Granada Hills this week.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-13)
   The Cavaliers’ record on the season might give you the impression that this team is inconsistent. But a closer glance at the caliber of opponents they have taken on reveals a clear picture of just how battle-tested the Cavs are this season. Even though they had a rough second day of tournament play over the weekend, this team boasts wins over Taft, Village Christian, and Venice on the season.
6. Granada Hills Highlanders (14-12)
   The Highlanders are another team that has played a tough schedule in the West Valley, and their record is more indicative of the killers they have faced than perceived inconsistency. GHC posted top-ten wins versus Taft and Eagle Rock last week. They will look to improve upon their 3-1 league record when they face Birmingham and Chatsworth on the road this week.
7. Kennedy Cougars (18-7)
   The Cougars have been the top team in the Valley Mission League this season. They won a grueling five-setter on the road at Reseda last week, and can put a stranglehold on the league title with matches away at Van Nuys and at home versus San Fernando this week.
8. Arleta Mustangs (9-1)
   The Mustangs tasted defeat for the first time this season at the hands of a red-hot Grant squad. The jury is still out on just how good the Mustangs are, having played fewer matches than all the other teams on the list, but this squad has passed the eye test when they have taken the court, winning 27 of the 37 total sets they have played.
9. Triumph Jaguars (17-3)
   The Jags have impressed so far this season, having won 13 of their last 14 matches, with the only loss coming at the hands of Grant at the MACES Invitational. In fact, their only other losses this season have come from Southern Section opponents. The Jags have been outright dominant in their wins, winning 37 out of the 40 sets they have played.
10. Sun Valley Magnet (16-9)
    The Pioneers have been the top dogs in the Central Valley this season, winning 18 out of 20 sets played against league competition. They have been up and down in terms of winning, but that is because this team challenged themselves in tough competition in the tournament scene over the past two weeks. The challenges won’t get any bigger than the one they will face against Grant coming up this week.

Honorable Mentions: SOCES (8-2), Reseda (8-6), Vaughn (8-6), Sylmar (13-10), East Valley (5-2)