Red-hot Brother Rice takes over the top spot with a big win, while Andrew enters the rankings.
Top 10
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Brother Rice 11-3 (2): Alex Ramirez, Ben Adamski and the Crusaders warm up for this weekend’s Smack Attack that they host with a huge 25-23, 22-25, 25-20 win over Loyola.
2. Lincoln-Way Central 12-2 (1): Cooper Riedl and the Knights are also ready to make some noise in tournament action at the Smack Attack.
3. Marist 11-4 (3): Briggs Corona and Michael Forbes get named all-tournament as the RedHawks take second place in the Tiger Classic at Wheaton-Warrenville South.
4. Lockport 17-4 (4): Aiden Morgan erupts for 10 kills Wednesday as the Porters roll to a 25-16, 25-20 victory over Minooka.
5. Lincoln-Way East 10-7 (5): Henry Yacobozzi, a 6-foot-2 middle, is developing into a strong blocker for the Griffins.
6. Shepard 18-3 (6): Mikolaj Drag and the Astros haven’t lost since a 24-26, 25-20, 18-16 setback on April 4 against Lockport.
7. Lincoln-Way West 10-6 (7): Colin Baikie impresses for the Warriors by making all-tournament team of the Tiger Classic at Wheaton-Warrenville South.
8. Homewood-Flossmoor (9): Robert Newman and the Vikings sweat out a 25-22, 26-24 win Wednesday over much-improved T.F. United.
9. St. Rita 13-6 (8): Ben Disabato and the Mustangs see nine-match winning streak snapped with a 17-25, 25-19, 25-22 loss to St. Ignatius.
10. Andrew 15-8 (NR): Isaac Okewole and the Thunderbolts were 4-8 on April 11 but have heated up with an 11-match winning streak.
Player of the Week
Junior right-side hitter Sean Gagen comes through with 59 kills and eight blocks to help lead Andrew to a 5-0 record in winning the Elgin Tournament.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
