From SSN…Special thanks to Sam for this coverage

DIVISION I

The Seton Saints are over halfway through their schedule and have not dropped a set all season. That is four 2-0 sweeps and eight 3-0 sweeps.

They haven’t climbed up the rankings because there is nowhere for them to go. All the Saints can do is create more separation between them and the rest of the state. Seton is led by Xavier commit Charley Moeddel, who is averaging 5.4 kills per set with an eye-popping .487 hitting percentage.

Seton now has wins over No. 5 Ursuline Academy, No. 3 Cincinnati St. Ursula, and No. 5 (D-II) Harrison. Cincinnati St. Ursula will get another crack at the Saints on Thursday.

DIVISION II

It’s time to start paying attention to Wadsworth.

The Grizzlies went to the Jackson Invite on Saturday riding a seven-match winning streak. Wadsworth upset No. 8 (D-I) Strongsville, then swept Crestwood in the morning session. They followed that up with a come-from-behind win over No. 6 (D-III) NDCL for the tournament championship.

Wadsworth hosts North Royalton on Tuesday. Then on Thursday, the Grizzlies will get a chance to avenge their only conference loss when they head to Medina.

DIVISION III

At this time a week ago, Tippecanoe was on McNicholas’s tail for the top spot in Division III. That isn’t the case anymore after one of the biggest upsets of the season took place on Thursday.

Vandalia Butler came into the contest undefeated in the Miami Valley League, though the clear underdog against the then-No. 2 team in Division III. But that is why they play the game.

The Aviators opened with a 25-18 first set win. Tippecanoe challenged, but fell in the second set, 25-23. And it was all Butler in the third set, 25-18 to complete the sweep.

Sophia Guggenbiller and Gillian Kellar led the team with 8 kills each. Libero Nora Stammen was all over the court with 23 digs.

The two teams meet again on Oct. 15 and the MVL championship will likely be on the line in Tipp City.

DIVISION IV

Going into the season, we knew that Jonathan Alder would be a force in central Ohio, but their resume up until this past week was strong, but not elite. Any undefeated team will get eyes on them, but the quality wins will make a team stand out. That was what the Pioneers got this past week.

Going into this past week, the Pioneers were 10-0 with wins over Hilliard Davidson and No. 10 Kenton Ridge. Then they ran through a gauntlet, taking down Central Buckeye Conference leader London, handing Benjamin Logan their first loss of the season, and sweeping No. 4 (D-VII) Newark Catholic.

Looking ahead, Jonathan Alder could stay undefeated all the way to October. Then, they wrap up the regular season at Unioto, at London, and at home against Pickerington Central.

DIVISION V

Last week, undefeated Paulding got the spotlight. This week, we head way east to Navarre where the Fairless Falcons jumped 9 spots to debut in the Division V rankings at number 10.

Fairless opened this past week with a dominant sweep of then 11-1 Hillsdale. The Falcons were led by Ella Wade. The senior led Fairless with 11 kills and 5 blocks and also added 7 assists.

The Falcons stayed undefeated with wins over Canal Fulton Northwest, Tuslaw, and Canton Central Catholic. Things don’t get any easier for Fairless as they host Triway on Tuesday with first place in the Principals Athletic Conference on the line.

DIVISION VI

How would you like to be Parkway this coming week?

The Panthers are going to have that number two ranking tested this week with a trio of challenges.

Parkway hosts Lincolnview on Monday after the Lancers just snapped their 3-match skid. The following night, Parkway hosts No. 1 New Bremen with a share of first place in the Midwest Athletic Conference on the line. After a rest day on Wednesday, the Panthers are back at it on Thursday, heading to No. 3 St. Henry, a team that just took New Bremen to five sets this past Thursday.

Good luck, Panthers. This will be the biggest week of your season.

DIVISION VII

The Shelby County Athletic League has taken two of the top three spots in Division VII. But will they still be there when they square off on Sept. 29?

For Fort Loramie, they will look to bounce back after dropping a non-conference match to St. Henry on Saturday. Their opponent? No. 14 Botkins. Then later in the week, the Redskins host No. 1 (D-VI) New Bremen.

For Russia, their path this week isn’t much easier. They open the week with 7-4 Newton Local on the road on Monday. This weekend, the Raiders host a battle-tested Fort Recovery team.

So whether they both make it to Sept. 29 as top three teams is a story whose next chapter is unwritten.