Welcome, once again, to the Super 10.
Volleyball season is moving right along in Iowa, with championship contenders taking shape and November storylines falling into place. It should be another fantastic finish in 2021.
With that, here is the Register's latest volleyball Super 10. We'll drop this list of the top-10 high school volleyball teams in Iowa every three weeks throughout the fall season, as the Des Moines Register tracks the results and movement of Iowa's premier programs. The Super 10 is constructed with no class restrictions, so that means every team from every corner and every region of the state is eligible.
Here is the second edition of 2021. All records and stats are reflective of matches through Sept. 26 and taken from Varsity Bound. If you missed our first Super 10, check it out here.
1. Iowa City Liberty (22-3)
Previously: No. 2
Skinny: On a 14-game winning streak while playing the state's toughest schedule according to Varsity Bound, Iowa City Liberty gets the bump up to No. 1 here. The Lightning have only dropped three sets on this incredible surge, which dates back to Sept. 4. Last weekend was particularly impressive as Liberty toppled West Des Moines Valley, Iowa City West, Dike-New Hartford, Pleasant Valley and Mount Vernon at its home tournament.
Up next: Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Prairie, Thursday vs. Dowling Catholic.
2. Ankeny (30-4)
Previously: No. 1
Skinny: Although the Hawks fell a spot, Ankeny has been playing near-flawless volleyball since losing twice at the Caroline Found tournament on Sept. 11. Ankeny has won 12 of 13 since and is setting itself up nicely for a strong repeat effort.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Ankeny Centennial.
3. Dike-New Hartford (34-1)
Previously: No. 4
Skinny: The mighty volleyball machine up north finally stumbled this past weekend against the No. 1 Lightning, but what a start to the season with 34 consecutive victories. And that's while having Varsity Bound's No. 3 strength of schedule, too. No one should touch the Wolverines in Class 2A.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Columbus Catholic.
4. Pleasant Valley (20-3)
Previously: No. 5
Skinny: With its only losses this month coming against No. 1 Liberty and No. 3 Dike-New Hartford, Pleasant Valley has rounded into championship form. All three of the Spartans' defeats have come on days when playing multiple matches. Pleasant Valley's resume highlights include a win over Urbandale, a win over West Des Moines Valley and three victories over Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Davenport North, Saturday at Western Dubuque for Bobcat Invite.
5. Urbandale (20-6)
Previously: No. 10
Skinny: The biggest mover in the Super 10, Urbandale cemented a resume featuring no bad losses with a straight-set win over No. 2 Ankeny on Sept. 18. All six of Urbandale's defeats have come against ranked teams.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Southeast Polk, Saturday hosting Urbandale Invitational.
6. Cedar Rapids Xavier (19-2)
Previously: No. 8
Skinny: One of four Class 4A teams with just two losses, Cedar Rapids Xavier has won 10 straight since a Sept. 11 stumble against North Scott. Expect the Saints to make a deep postseason surge starting next month.
Up next: Tuesday at Waterloo East, Saturday at Waverly-Shell Rock tournament.
7. Cedar Falls (21-5)
Previously: Unranked
Skinny: One of three new teams in the poll, Cedar Falls capped a 10-2 run Saturday with its second win over Dowling Catholic this season. All five of the Tigers' losses have come against ranked teams.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Iowa City High.
8. West Des Moines Valley (17-9)
Previously: No. 3
Skinny: Owning Varsity Bound's No. 5 strength of schedule caught up to West Des Moines Valley last weekend. The Tigers went 0-4 on Saturday with losses to No. 3 Dike-New Hartford, No. 1 Liberty, No. 4 Pleasant Valley and Mount Vernon. This is still a nice squad, featuring early wins over Urbandale, Ankeny and Liberty, but Valley will need to find its footing again before the postseason.
???????Up next: Tuesday vs. Johnston.
9. Dowling Catholic (20-10)
Previously: Unranked
Skinny: Lurking in the CIML weeds has been Dowling Catholic, which has put together a nice record despite owning Varsity Bound's No. 2 strength of schedule. The Maroons have won 14 of 18, including noteworthy victories over West Delaware, Valley, Ankeny and more.
???????Up next: Tuesday at Iowa City Liberty.
10. Western Dubuque (14-3)
Previously: Unranked
Skinny: Despite not playing as many games as the other ranked competitors, Western Dubuque has faced plenty of challenges owning Varsity Bound's No. 9 strength of schedule. The Bobcats have lost only twice in September, to No. 1 and No. 2, while beating Mount Vernon, Cedar Falls and other.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Linn-Mar, Saturday against West Liberty, Cascade and Decorah at Bobcat Invite.
Dropped out: No. 6 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, No. 7 Bondurant-Farrar, No. 9 Ankeny Centennial.
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.