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No. 1 Granada Hills (16-6, 5-1 West Valley League): Is the newest team to be ranked as the top team in the area - joining Taft and El Camino Real. Granada Hills has had the steady play of seniors Hannah Bernstein and Grace Pickard and was on display against ECR last Thursday in the battle of the two top teams in the Valley Sports Telegram City coverage area, the Highlanders won 25-22, 25-17 and an epic third set 29-27. Granada will host Taft Tuesday and then travel to Birmingham on Thursday.
No. 2 El Camino Real (16-9, 5-1 West Valley League): Defeated Chatsworth on the road to open this past week, before falling to Granada Hills in three sets. The Royals will be on the road against Cleveland on Tuesday.
No. 3 Taft (27-6, 4-2 West Valley League): Collected league sweeps of Birmingham, Chatsworth and then concluded week with a 2nd pl hun ace finish at the Gabrielino Invitational after two set wins over Bravo, Holy Family, Flintridge Prep in pool play and one set playoff wins over Pasadena and Schurr before falling to eventual champion Otay Ranch 25-16 last week. The Toreadors will be in action at Granada Hills on Tuesday afternoon.
No. 4 Chatsworth (20-14, 1-4 West Valley League): Had a tough week against El Camino Real and Taft only winning the opening set against ECR Royals 25-20, before dropping the final six sets of the week. Chatsworth has Birmingham on the road Tuesday and will finish at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday.
No. 5 Verdugo Hills (28-5, 7-1 East Valley League): Was involved in another epic battle against the Parrots of Sun Valley and this time it took place in the ‘Barn’ with each team winning sets of 28-26. The Dons came away in the fifth set 15-12 last Tuesday. Junior all-around Yahaira Vazquez was on a serving rampage this past week with 22 aces, 11 of which came against the Canoga Park Hunters. As for cousin Ana Vasquez, she is only 47 kills from breaking the program record set by Crystal Perryman - who had 749 kills after her senior season in 2005. The Dons come into their bye week with 14 straight wins and currently have the most wins in the City.
No. 6 Polytechnic (16-7, 6-1 East Valley League): Didn’t have a happy time at the ‘Barn’, but returned two days later against the Huskies of North Hollywood, who had three sport athlete Emily Dietz and the Parrots won in three, before a 2-2 finish at the Gabrielino Invitational to conclude the week. The Parrots, who forced the Dons to five sets each time and each won, did finish the battle outscoring the Dons 208-203 in two teams that could get the last selections in the CIF Open Division Playoffs.
No. 7 Birmingham (9-8, 2-3 West Valley League): Will finally get to see what Chatsworth has to offer them as they square off for the first time this season Tuesday at home and then versus Granada Hills on Thursday.
No. 8 Cleveland (11-21, 0-6 West Valley League): tough schedule continues as they host El Camino Real Tuesday and conclude the week at Chatsworth on Thursday.
No. 9 Sylmar (11-13, 7-2 Valley Mission League): Started the week with an easy win against Panorama, but suffered a five set loss at home against Van Nuys - who also picked up a forfeit victory over the Spartans after a paperwork issue involving a player came up. Despite that situation, Sylmar is still in control of the league as of now holding a lead over 6-2 Van Nuys Wolves heading into this week of action in which they travel to Kennedy on Monday before four days off going into their tournament.
No. 10 Kennedy (13-12, 6-2 Valley Mission League): Fell to San Fernando on the road in four sets, after they swept the Tigers (5-3 in league play) back on August 29th. The Cougars come into their home match versus Sylmar Monday holding a 6-2 league record as well as Van Nuys does, but the Cougars did win the first round versus the Wolves. Kennedy will next have a date at the annual Sylmar Tournament on Saturday, October 8th.
On the Bubble City Programs: Van Nuys (D2), Sherman Oaks CES (D2) and Triumph Charter in Division 3
