Kellam stays on top of the local boys volleyball totem pole this week in the third version of the 757Teamz.com Top 15.
The Knights faced a challenge Sept. 15 from No. 15 Hickory (5-5), which led by two sets before dropping a 3-2 (21-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-9) decision. Against the Hawks, Kellam was led by Dylan Calkins’ 24 kills and Bennett Pyka’s 40 assists.
The Knights bounced back to sweep Salem and Princess Anne. In the 3-0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-17) victory over the SunDevils, Gabe Allison led the Knights with eight kills. Johnny Nash provided 18 assists, and Ryan Phillips scooped 14 digs.
Granby held tight in the No. 2 position. Last week, the Comets motored to straight-sets wins over Booker T. Washington and Norview. Against the Pilots, in a 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-22) victory, Andrew Parker scored 10 kills and seven aces.
Kempsville replaced First Colonial in the No. 3 spot, courtesy of a 3-1 (25-19, 30-28, 15-25, 25-22) win Thursday. Rylan Patterson paced the Chiefs with 18 kills, two aces and six digs.
Local teams are faring well in the state and national standings. Kellam, which was top-ranked in the nation last year among teams playing in the fall, is No. 2 in Virginia and No. 6 nationally. Granby is No. 6 in the state and No. 10 in the U.S.
Also in the Old Dominion, according to MaxPreps.com, Kempsville is No. 11, Western Branch No. 13 and Warwick No. 14.
The Bruins beat Lakeland 3-1 in their only match last week and move up to No. 5. Nate Brownfield had 20 assists in Western Branch’s victory.
Grassfield, now at No. 6, is slowly recovering from a four-match losing streak, defeating Great Bridge 3-2. The battle between the Chesapeake powers was tight (23-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 15-12). Caedan Agustin recorded 43 assists for the Grizzlies, while Isaiah Agustin and Andrew Burke combined for 34 kills.
Kecoughtan is coming back from a 1-4 showing at the Endless Summer Tournament (all losses to higher-ranked teams), but defeated Denbigh 3-0 to knock the Patriots out of the rankings.
Green Run (7-5) is the lone addition to the rankings. The Stallions have emerged as a formidable No. 4 in the Beach District. After a 3-2 showing in the Endless Summer event, Green Run, led by Torin Kernan’s 12 kills, dropped Bayside 3-0 (25-5, 25-13, 25-14) Thursday.
Team, Record, Previous
1. Kellam (11-2), 1
2. Granby (10-2), 2
3. Kempsville (10-3), 4
4. Menchville (9-2), 6
5. Western Branch (8-1), 7
6. Grassfield (7-4), 5
7. Warwick (8-1), 9
8. First Colonial (7-5), 3
9. Kecoughtan (8-4), 8
10. Maury (5-1), 11
11. Great Bridge (7-5), 10
12. Norfolk Christian (8-4), 14
13. King’s Fork (3-1), 15
14. Green Run (7-5), NR
15. Hickory (5-5), 13
Dropped out: Denbigh.
