Dulles is gearing up for the playoffs as the top-ranked team from the Houston area. Pictured from left are (front row): assistant coach Dena Scott, Emily Sheppard, Connie Wang and head coach Alice Fortes; (back row) Ashley Emanuel , Noelle Mayor, Brittany Alvillar, Tracy Nweze, Meredith Davis, Brittany Collins, Sarah Cartie, Lauren Dobbs, Kim Baumann, Kailey Ripley and Brooke Smith.

The Texas Top 20

By Scott White
Editor

October 19 — This will be a short one, mainly because outside of Arlington not a lot happened last week. Of course what happened in Arlington made up for just about everything else that didn't happen statewide.

When the season started, Martin was returning the core of a team that had made two straight state tournament appearances and was one of the teams favored to be there again in November.

A loss to Clements at Duncanville raised red flags. Then when Amarillo dominated the Warriors in the finals of the Allen tournament it became obvious that Martin had a challenge ahead just to get through its region. The Warriors seemed to have things back on track at Pearland, advancing to the semifinals before losing 2-1 to Clark. Then things really took an ugly turn when the Warriors lost starters Carolina Dreyer and Leslie Breslin to injuries during a 17-25, 18-25, 30-28, 27-25, 15-12 loss to Cy Creek in the third place match.

Still, Martin breezed through the first round of district play and had extended its impressive undefeated streak to 26 straight in one of the state's toughest districts when the wheels went flying off last week. First came a completely unexpected loss to arch-rival Arlington, which is going through a rebuilding year. Then came the second, highly-anticipated showdown with Arlington Lamar. Lamar's four-game victory is a clear sign that another trip to San Marcos is anything but guaranteed.

Elsewhere, Round Rock's veterans are returning to playoff form as the Dragons took an impressive four-gamer off Cedar Park, which had been on an impressive roll of its own.

And that was about it. So as we head into the final full week of district action and we start filling in our playoff brackets, here is this week’s ranking of the 20 best teams in Texas.

1. Churchill (1)
For those who continue to e-mail us questioning how we can rank Churchill above Westlake, we'd like to remind you that the last time the two teams met it was at Westlake where the visiting Chargers put a 25-15, 25-22, 28-26 thumping on the Chaps to get revenge for their only loss this season. Will the results be the same next time the two teams meet? We're a long way from San Marcos. We'll get back to you in November.

2. Austin Westlake (2)
To those same e-mailers, yes we know that you won Pearland and Duncanville (we would remind you that you won Pearland and Duncanville last year, too). But in our rankings when you've been swept by a team on your home court the last time you played them, the only way you move back up is if they lose (they haven't) or you beat them the next time you play them. Bring on November.

3. SA Clark (3)
A team that would like to get a little revenge of its own as it prepares for the playoffs, where a rematch with Churchill looms.

4. Amarillo (4)
Yes they struggled against Tascosa, but we'll give the Sandies a break. After all, this was a team they had swept easily earlier in district play and after cruising through the last month of action without losing a game, at some point boredom does set in.

5. Arlington Lamar (6)
Now that they have erased their Martin demons, beware the Vikings. Lindsey Peterson and company could be very dangerous come playoff time.

6. Dulles (7)
This team gains momentum and confidence with every win. Last week's five-gamer over Elkins was a big one in both cases.

7. Lubbock Coronado (8)
As we said last week, Coronado has proven they are one of the top teams in the state. Unfortunately they have to get past Amarillo this week just to get a share of the district crown. And thanks to a wake-up from Tascosa, the Sandies won't be caught sleeping.

8. Katy (9)
Two matches and the brooms were out in both cases. Cinco Ranch is on the schedule this week, which could be a challenge.

9. Houston Stratford (10)
Two sweeps last week as the youngsters tune up for the playoffs,

10. Arlington Martin (5)
What else can we say. Another district title is probably history and the Warriors obviously have their work cut out for them if they expect to return to San Marcos.

11. Cy Falls (11)
Tomball could have been trouble last week, but wasn't. Magnolia and Jersey Village shouldn't be a problem this week.

12. Cy Creek (13)
Needed five to beat Langham Creek, but tough matches are common in this district. Cy Springs on Friday could be another challenge.

13. Deer Park (14)
Now it's just a matter of taking care of business with no real challenges ahead over the next week and a half.

14. Lake Highlands (15)
Two more sweeps after struggling a couple of weeks ago.

15. Dobie (16)
Will likely end up as district co-champs with with Deer Park and like the Deer, it's now just a matter of taking care of business before the playoffs.

16. Round Rock (20)
We expected more of this team before the season started and now it looks like they are finally starting to live up to those expectations. Win over Cedar Park wasn't entirely a surprise, but it was a little easier than expected.

17. Kingwood (17)
Another team that seems to be ready for the playoffs. Here's a warning - don't overlook Humble on Friday.

18. Cedar Park (12)
Last week we said this was a team waiting for the playoffs and an opportunity to prove it belongs among the state elite. Loss to Round Rock changes nothing but the ranking.

19. San Antonio Reagan (18)
The Rattlers are looking at anything but an easy finish with Churchill on Friday and Judson next Tuesday.

20. Waxahachie (19)
The good thing is that the 4As finish their district play this week, so we can get on to the business of the playoffs. During tournament season Waxahachie went undefeated against the state's top 4A teams while losing only to 5A powers like Churchill and Cedar Park. Their challenge will be to get their game back up to that level after a less-than-challenging district schedule.

Teams to Watch

Boerne - Uneventful week with two more sweeps.

Cy Fair – Survived Magnolia and Tomball with little trouble. Jersey Village, Langham Creek and Cy Creek still ahead.

Dripping Springs – Survived Lake Travis with ease. Now must survive New Braunfels, a team they lost to in the first round of district play, and Canyon to secure district championship.

Dumas – Now that Hereford is out of the way, it's time to focus on the playoffs.

Elkins - Sweep of Clements was impressive. Five-game loss to Dulles shows that this is a team that is not to be ignored once the playoffs start.

FB Austin – Swept Marshall but fell to Dulles in four.

Floresville – At 26-3 after two more wins, this is another 4A team that looks impressive but is going to have to prove it belongs once the playoffs start by beating some quality teams.

Hebron – A 4A team that has proven it belongs and blew past Keller and McKinney last week as it gears up for a chance for another shot at Waxahachie in the playoffs.

Lake Travis – Beat Canyon but lost to Dripping Springs. Currently locked in a three-way tie for second in 27-4A but with matches against DS, New Braunfels and Canyon now complete, should be a lock for one of the playoff spots.

Plano West - After a one-week penalty for losing a match a good team doesn't lose, the Wolves return to the list. At 29-4 and 10-1 in district, West can secure at least a share of its first district volleyball title ever with a victory tonight over rival Plano East (26-10, 8-3).

San Antonio O’Connor – Was swept by Clark last week, but still a team that could cause a lot of teams a lot of trouble in the playoffs.