MWPA Week 4 Girls Rankings

The Michigan Water Polo Association has announced their Week 4 Girls Top Ten Rankings. A breakdown of the week that was is below.

#1 Hudsonville Eagles

They've built their nest here in the #1 spot - and remain settled here after a solid week. They managed a road win at then #6 Rockford, and picked up one win at the Chicago-Stevenson tournament. They also narrowly lost to a traditional Midwest Super Power in Adlai Stevenson in a one-goal contest. Ian Hewett's Eagles found themselves challenged stiffly out West of Lake Michigan, but return home and have more opportunities to be tested state-side.

#2 Ann Arbor Huron River Rats

Very little to report on for the River Rats. Other than that the Rats are still in fact, very very very good. They took out #9 Ann Arbor Skyline in a game that the Eagles managed to keep within arms reach, then went on the road and earned a strong win at Birmingham Seaholm. Mary Chatigny's River Rats are 11-1 with just one loss to #1 Hudsonville - that Rat pack is in fact are tied for second in the state in total wins. They are as dynamic as they are stifling, a combination that has given everyone fits.

#3 Jenison Wildcats

In fact, no team in the state has as many wins as Spencer Sanders' Wildcats. They are, for a lack of better phrasing, All In this Together (*crickets*). They're 9-2 in-region, 7-2 vs. top tens and currently, in first place in District 1 at 1-0 overall. Jenison managed a pair of wins over then #4 East Kentwood, then worked by Saline/Milan. Their lone blemish was a loss to Illinois' New Trier at the East Kentwood tournament. They are ten days from starting a stretch where they get Hudsonville, Rockford and Grandville - one that if they handle their business, could play a huge role in a trip to Regionals.

#4 ELODH Co-Op

They looked excellent this week as they picked up their first District win over a Forest Hills group on the rise, and stifled formerly #4 East Kentwood and Saline/Milan. Like Jenison, they had some issue with New Trier (Illinois), whom they fell to in overtime (6-5) on Saturday. Still, Madi Zink's squad has a rising stock and a group of highly talented players to work with. This week, they get Mason (tonight) who sits just outside the polls. Their next stretch is a pair of road games at Pioneer and Huron, which should surely test them.

#5 Grandville Bulldogs

Back from Spring Break, the Bulldogs went deep into the bench and mixed it up in what was a solid 6-4 win over #8 East Grand Rapids, as Aubrie Scott and Chloe Graverson's Bulldogs picked up a top ten win. Much like other top ten Michigan teams, they traveled West to Adlai Stevenson's tournament. While they struggled in the win-loss column there, it was a good week of learning experience for the Bulldogs. That said, they're going to have to deliver big time now - they get Hudsonville, East Kentwood and Jenison coming up on the docket in the next few weeks.

#6 East Kentwood Falcons

We need an oxygen tank just LOOKING at their schedule from last week. A win over West Ottawa, followed by back-to-back tough losses to #3 Jenison, a win over Saline/Milan and losses to New Trier (Illinois) as well as now #4 ELODH, and the Falcons are back into the sixth spot. They've had their test, and for the most part, been very good. Now, they get a rematch of the Rockford squad they upset to make a big leap in the poll a few weeks ago, before drawing East Grand Rapids early next week. Jarod Lane's Falcons won't catch anyone by surprise after their good start, we get to see who they're becoming now.

#7 Rockford Rams

The Rams picked up an Illinois win (Naperville Central) last weekend - that's as strong as it got for Michigan teams this week out West. They fell to #1 Hudsonville, but then turned around and ground past Zeeland for an OK Conference victory. Katie Clarin's Rams get a rematch with the team directly in front of them in the polls Tuesday (East Kentwood), and then have a pair of key District Games upcoming with Forest Hills and East Grand Rapids.

#8 East Grand Rapids Pioneers

It was an up-and-down week for the Pioneers who like Rockford, Hudsonville, and Grandville, all went to seek out some Illinois competition at Adlai Stevenson last weekend. Prior to that, they split with a loss at #5 Grandville and a win against Grand Haven to keep steady in the polls. They have a road trip to Portage and then, Forest Hills this week as they open District action. Raheem Brown's Pioneers are up for some big tests upcoming, and they have only gotten better as the year has gone on.

#9 Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles

The Eagles really had a nice week. They are implementing the GODEK EFFECT (Trademarked), where the more times they play a team they lost to originally, they inch closer and closer until they have you within their...ahem...talons. They managed to keep #2 Ann Arbor Huron's offense from going full Mount Vesuvius this week in an 8-2 loss, and then promptly wont their first district game convincingly over Dexter. The Eagles are headed for Seaholm next week, and then return to District action with Pioneer and Saline/Milan as they aim for the second seed in the challenging District 4.

#10 Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers

While it wasn't a busy week, it was an emotionally significant one for Ann Arbor Pioneer. Last season, they were stunned in triple overtime with a sudden death loss to Chelsea in the District Quarterfinals. In the rematch, it was the Pioneers who staved off Chelsea....also in overtime with a 5-4 District win - a significant measure both mentally, and standings-wise. Will Hart's Pioneers regained the spot they had previously surrendered to Grand Blanc (who the Pioneers put behind them head-to-head for a second time) a week ago now.

On the Line: Mason (67), Chelsea (64), Zeeland & Forest Hills (31)

Understanding the Poll: The poll, open to all MWPA Head Coaches, is ranked via a point-percentage scoring model. The points column is percentage of points scored by voters against the maximum total, which is based on number of voters. The period that would signify percentage has been dropped off the beginning of each number. Unanimous first place ranking nets a score of 1,000 points. Polls will be updated Monday's at 11 am (Girls) and noon (Boys) ET. Inquiries on the poll can be directed to the chat feature on the MWPA website. Answering times may vary.

What is On the Line?: On the Line is the first three teams outside of the MWPA Poll. Coaches vote weekly during the season.