ESPN RISE

The Panthers continued to dominate in the 5A District 10 League. Their most significant test this season will come at the Nike Challenge in Chicago, Ill., where six other FAB 50 teams will compete. However, Plant must first attend the Berkeley Premier volleyball tournament hosted by Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) against a field that includes No. 9 Mercy (Louisville, Ky.).

The Redwings proved their supremacy in the Land of Lincoln with a huge tournament win at the Wheaton Classic. They bested the field and knocked off Naperville North (Naperville, Ill.) in the semis and Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.) in the final 25-23, 20-25, 25-23. Coming up this week is undefeated Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.) and Bishop McNamara (Kankakee, Ill.).

The Rockets blasted their way into the top ten this week with an impressive finish at the heralded Durango Classic. They cleaned up in pool play and moved through the Qualifying Round into the Championship round where they downed Liberty (Bakersfield, Calif.), which defeated Lakewood. This set the table for a rematch of last year's Durango Classic final with the previous No.6 Mira Costa. Coach Ron Kordes' squad played a phenomenal match and downed the Mustangs (26-24, 25-15), but fell in the final to La Costa Canyon (Calif.) (25-18, 25-21). Assumption will face Wagner (Louisville, Ky.) this week as it looks to chalk up another win.

The Mustangs went into the Durango Classic undefeated and remained so throughout pool play, where they never gave up more than 16 points. In the quarterfinals against Los Alamitos, the young Mira Costa squad staved off eight match points in the second set to down the Griffins (21-25, 30-28, 25-23). After that marathon match the Mustangs had little left for Assumption, which inflicted payback for its loss to Costa in the finals of this tournament a year ago (26-24, 25-15).

The defending state champs placed second at the Wheaton Classic, as they fell to Benet Academy in the finals (25-23, 20-25, 25-23). The Red Hawks took care of Downers Grove South (Downers Grove) in the semis (25-23, 25-21) before losing in the finals. Next up for the Red Hawks is Glenbard East (Lombard).

The Bearcats were victorious over the weekend with wins over Marion (Ind.) and Logansport. Central will face Delta this week and it continues to be a frontrunner in the North Central League.

The Lions proved they were the top cat in Ohio last week, as they remained undefeated in the Greater Cincinnati Scarlet League. They also recently defeated cross-town rival Mount Notre Dame. This week, Ursuline will face Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati) for the second time this season.

The Griffins downed the previous No. 1 Lakewood in the finals of the Gahr Invitational before traveling to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Durango Classic. Los Alamitos finished first in their pool ahead of Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii), but they had played eight matches in as many days. By the quarterfinals the fatigue factor set in and the Griffins gave up three straight match points against Mira Costa. Coach Dave Huber's squad finished sixth overall at Durango.

The Sailors finished first in their pool at Durango before besting Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii) in the Qualifying Round. Marymount's only losses of the tournament came against Mitty and Wilson.

Hurricane Ike swept through the Houston area and suspended all sports schedules. The Wildcats will pick up against Brazoswood (Clute) on Friday.

The Warriors battled through the Durango Classic and pulled the unlucky draw of Los Alamitos in pool play. Coach Chris Blake's squad finished second to the Griffins and then fell to Marymount in the Qualifying Round in a close three-set match (25-22, 26-28, 25-20). These were the only losses for the Warriors, as they went on to win the rest of their matches to finish in ninth place and earn the Silver Division Championship.

The Bobcats conquered Seton (Cincinnati) and Coffman (Dublin) last week. They have an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season this week, as they have a rematch with Ursuline. McAuley (Cincinnati) is also on the schedule this week.

The Blues stay the favorite color in Kansas, as they picked up three wins last week over West (Topeka, Kan.), Junction City (Kan.), and Shawnee Heights (Tecumseh, Kan.). They remain No. 1 in the Kansas Volleyball Association 6A poll.

The Jaguars took care of cross-town rival Blue Springs South (25-11, 25-14) in a Suburban Big Seven win. Coach Katie Grusing's squad took home the title at the Lee's Summit West Missouri/Kansas Invite when they defeated St. Thomas Aquinas, Bishop Miege and Lee's Summit West. The Jags proved their No. 1 ranking in the Metro Top Ten.

The Sailors warmed up with non-league wins over Great Oak (Temecula), Palos Verdes Peninsula (Rolling Hills Estates), Canyon (Anaheim), Carlsbad (Carlsbad), San Clemente, and Woodbridge (Irvine) at the Dave Mohs Tournament in Orange County, Calif. Dos Pueblos (Goleta) knocked the Sailors out in the semifinals and they finished the tournament 5-1.

The Crusaders picked up a win over Durham School of the Arts in three. Coach Jim Freeman's squad will face Raleigh Charter (Raleigh), Cedar Ridge (Hillsborough) and Northwest Guilford (Greensboro) next.

The Chargers continued to dominate the Northern Lakes Conference where they have not dropped a league match since 2001. Their NLC streak is now at 56 wins after a narrow victory over Northwood (Nappanee, Ind.) (23-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 16-14). The Chargers hope to carry the momentum gained from their big tournament win this past weekend at the Lafayette Jefferson Invitational into their next match against Plymouth.

The previously No. 1 ranked Lancers lost their new starting middle to an ankle sprain in pool play at the Durango Classic, and the jostled lineup did not quite gel the next day. Coach Mike Wadley's squad went on to lose to unranked Liberty (Bakersfield, Calif.) (25-23, 23-25, 25-14). The Lancers began to show chinks in the armor even before the team traveled to Las Vegas, as they lost to Los Alamitos in the Gahr Tournament championship (25-22, 26-24, 25-23).

The Panthers defeated two Spokane teams, Rogers (25-8, 25-10, 25-6) and Ferris (25-10, 25-13, 25-15).

The Valkyries suffered their first loss to an unranked team, Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Mo.). They face Seneca (Louisville, Ky.) and Providence (Clarksville, Ind.) this week.

The Islanders suffered their first loss of the year to powerhouse Papillion in the Lincoln Public Schools Classic at Lincoln Southeast. This week they will face Columbus and North Star (Lincoln).

The Eagles had wins over New Palestine and Wes-Del (Gaston) last week. They face the best team in the state this week, No. 12 Muncie Central.

The Cougars suffered losses to Ursuline and Mother of Mercy. This week they have an opportunity to earn some W's against St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati), Seton (Cincinnati) and Bishop Watterson (Columbus).

The young Crusaders put up a good fight against Papillion as they pushed them to three sets at the Lincoln Public Schools Classic at Lincoln Southeast. They face Omaha South (Omaha) this week.

The Fighting Saints are the team to beat in the Upstate Eight League, as their only loss of the year came against Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.). This week the Saints will face cross-town rival St. Charles (North).