Not a whole lot of changes in our rankings this week with the holidays.
Susan Wagner had a shot to get some separation on McKee/Staten Island Tech for borough bragging rights, but lost in a three-set thriller Wednesday after beating MSIT in the Seward Park tournament. All our top teams remain undefeated in league play with things set to heat up after the vacation.
Here’s how the rankings look:
1. Academy of American Studies (6-0) (Last week: 1)
The Eagles have picked up right where they left off last year when they made the PSAL city finals. Academy of American Studies has not lost a set and swept rival Newcomers – the school it shares a building with – in front of a raucous crowd last week.
Next: Robert Wagner (April 17, 4:30 p.m. @ Long Island City)
2. Bronx Science (5-0) (2)
Jeremy BasSie said in the preseason that he felt his team was the one to beat in the PSAL and Bronx Science hasn’t done anything to dispel that notion. The Wolverines are the best team in The Bronx, have excellent size and will be a tough matchup for anyone in the postseason.
Next: Columbus (April 17, 4:30 p.m. @ Lehman)
3. New Utrecht (6-0) (3)
New Utrecht slipped up a bit with a set loss to Fort Hamilton last week, but other than that the Utes have cruised. Jennifer Lopez’s squad is trying to build off the coach’s first semifinals in her decade-long tenure coaching the boys volleyball program.
Next: @ Grady (April 18, 5:30 p.m.)
4. Bryant (6-0) (4)
Bryant knocked off probably its toughest competition in league play last week in Cleveland. The Tigers are coached by Anna Dawidowska, who Bryant head man Steve Hagenlocher coached in college at St. Francis in Brooklyn.
Next: @ Jamaica (April 17, 4:30 p.m.)
5. Cardozo (6-0) (5)
Bouts of inconsistency plagued Cardozo again two weeks ago in the Francis Lewis tournament, but that’s what happens with youth. Coach Danny Scarola knew that coming into the season, though, and he has the experience – three PSAL city titles – to know how to correct it.
Next: Van Buren (April 17, 5:30 p.m.)
6. McKee/Staten Island Tech (6-0) (9)
It was sweet revenge Wednesday on Staten Island as McKee/Staten Island Tech got by rival Susan Wagner in a thrilling three-set victory. Just three days earlier, Wagner beat MSIT in the semifinals of the Seward Park tournament.
Next: Curtis (April 16, 4:30 p.m. @ New Dorp)
7. Regis (4-0) (7)
Tom McLaughlin’s rotator cuff injury might be an issue all season, but luckily Regis has a very nice core of players that will help in the quest for another CHSAA city title. Brian Cavaluzzo and Will Salter are solid setters and Tyler Sellers will have to step up in his attacks.
Next: @ Salesian (April 18, 4:30 p.m.)
8. Susan Wagner (4-1) (6)
The Falcons were mere points away from cementing their spot as the best team on Staten Island against McKee/Staten Island Tech on Wednesday. Wagner fell in a wild, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21 loss to MSIT after beating the Seagulls the previous weekend at the Seward Park tournament.
Next: @ New Dorp (April 16, 5:30 p.m.)
9. Brooklyn Tech (5-0) (8)
There are no down years for Brooklyn Tech, which has made two of the last three semifinals as underdogs. Maybe it’s about time the PSAL starts giving the Engineers some respect – after all, they remarkably haven’t lost a league match since 2004.
Next: @ Wingate (April 16, 5:30 p.m.)
10. Hunter College HS (6-0) (10)
After losing two sets in their first two league matches, the Headhunters have been much more steady and remain undefeated in PSAL Manhattan IX. Coming up, though, they get their biggest test of the season in division rival A.P. Randolph after Easter Week.
Next: A.P. Randolph (April 16, 5:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Seward Park (6-0), Midwood (5-0), Long Island City (4-1), Francis Lewis (5-1), Clinton (5-0), Richmond Hill (6-0), Stuyvesant (6-0), Cardinal Spellman (2-1) and Cleveland (5-1)