Top of the Crop
1: Avon Lake (17-7 in 2022)
2: Avon (9-14)
3: Bay (23-4)
4: Rocky River (16-7)
5: Amherst (21-5)
6: Olmsted Falls (23-2)
7: Westlake (17-6)
8: Midview (7-16)
9: North Ridgeville (15-9)
10: Firelands (20-4)
Watchlist: Columbia (18-6), Fairview (11-12), Elyria Catholic (13-11)
Crop comments: It’s really fun to look at last year’s records. A lot of great senior talent in the area graduated, and different teams are on the rise or on the fall. The SWC was loaded last year and it’s wide open this year. Avon Lake is the No. 1 team due to returning every player from a season ago. The Shoregals were good last year, and they have the veterans to take another leap. … Another team looking to take a leap is Avon. The Eagles are second in the preseason Top of the Crop because they also return a lot of players. They’re more experienced now and coach Kara Coffman will make an impact coming in from Vermilion. … The rest of the SWC picture is interesting with Amherst and Olmsted Falls being at the top of the conference last year, but losing a lot of good seniors. Time will tell what both teams will be this season. … North Ridgeville is in the same boat at No. 9, as the Rangers also had a talented senior class. … Midview is at No. 8, and the Middies look to be a team on the rise. … The GLC is going to very competitive too, and Bay and Rocky River are two of the top teams vying for the title. The Rockets made a strong run to the regional finals before being ousted by eventual Division II state champion NDCL. They’re looking for more in 2023. … The Pirates made the conference title game last year over Bay, and they’re in position to have another big year with some key returners. … A dark horse in the GLC is Westlake at No. 7 in the Top of the Crop. The Demons have had plenty of success in the conference, and could bring some tough competition once again. … Lately the LC8 hasn’t been close with Firelands blowing everyone out, but Columbia has something to say about that this year. The Falcons get the edge for now at No. 10 considering they went undefeated in conference play in 2022, but the Raiders return a lot of production from a year ago to compete. … Fairview and Elyria Catholic also crack the watch list. Both teams have the ability to compete with the top of the GLC. … There will be a lot of competition this year across the volleyball landscape.
