The ranking needle did not move far for the 757Teamz.com girls volleyball count. With the first 10 teams, nothing changed at all as the group combined for a 14-0 record last week.
In its sole match, top-ranked Cox handled Salem 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-22) with Kynleigh Castellat distributing 15 assists.
Not to suggest that last week was eventless, as the bottom five spots completely reshuffled with three new additions and subtractions.
Poquoson enters the list as the highest-ranked newcomer at No. 11. The Islanders earned it with a trio of Bay Rivers District wins. On Sept. 22, coach Tim Hatok’s squad fought to a 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 21-25, 25-14, 15-6) victory over Warhill. Emma Ward led Poquoson with 24 assists and four aces.
The Islanders followed on the next day with an easier win, a 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 25-17) defeat of Bruton.
Addison Lewis tallied 37 assists, one kill, a block and an ace to lead the Islanders. Chloe Dearman earned a double-double with 10 kills and 15 aces, while Peyton Ashworth contributed 10 kills and one ace.
Finally on Thursday, the Islanders swept Smithfield 3-0 to raise their record to 8-2. Their current six-match win streak will be put to the test this week against district rival New Kent, while an Oct. 9 tilt against Grafton lies ahead.
Jamestown (7-2) also joins the ranks. The Eagles, under longtime coach Tom Stephenson, swept York 3-0 last Tuesday and decisively handled New Kent 3-1 Wednesday to raise their Bay Rivers mark to 4-1, a half-game ahead of Poquoson. However, the Islanders won their head-to-head matchup, a 3-2 (25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-15, 17-15) thriller.
This might be all for naught as No. 2 Grafton is on top of the BRD at 9-0, having won all 27 of its sets this season. After seven consecutive state championship defeats, coach David Keeter’s preseason hunch that his 2025 squad could be the one to win a state title (at Class 4 this year) is holding merit.
Last Wednesday, the Clippers swept 2024 Class 3 Region A finalist New Kent 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19). Alivia Breckons led Grafton with 14 kills, nine digs and a pair of blocks. Ana Breckons logged nine kills and three blocks, and Ally Burke added 18 digs. Kenzie Smith contributed eight kills and three blocks.
Indian River is the third team to enter the rankings this week, debuting at No. 14.
Team (Record), Previous
1. Cox (11-3), 1
2. Grafton (9-0), 2
3. Kellam (10-3), 3
4. Norfolk Academy (10-1), 4
5. StoneBridge (23-0), 5
6. Ocean Lakes (11-4), 6
7. Menchville (9-3), 7
8. Woodside (7-1), 8
9. First Colonial (7-8), 9
10. Maury (6-0), 10
11. Poquoson (8-2), NR
12. Phoebus (7-2), 13
13. Western Branch (8-3), 11
14. Indian River (8-3), NR
15. Jamestown (7-2), NR
Dropped out: Grassfield, Kempsville, Landstown.
