MWPA Releases Week 1 Girls Rankings

The Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA) has announced their week one top ten rankings for the girls side only.

"Not enough teams have played on the boys side for enough valuable insight to help our voters out, so our first in-season boys rankings will come next Monday," MWPA Secretary and Web Admin Harrison Watt said.

The top ten rankings are below. From here on out, the top ten will include a breakdown of previous week results.

#1 Rockford Rams

Katie Clarin's Rams were amongst the busiest MWPA teams. They opened the season with a 10-8 loss to current #3, Grandville, but reeled off six consecutive wins. The Rams have more wins than any team in the state and have played more games than any team in the state at 6-1 overall. The Rams are 2-1 against top ten teams, and avenged their season opening loss to Grandville three days after it happened in their OK Conference opener.

#2 East Grand Rapids Pioneers

The Pios were inactive, but return an experienced squad under Justin Hulsebus including three players headed for the collegiate level. The Pioneers finished sixth at the 2019 girls state championship tournament and return most of their squad.

#3 Grandville Bulldogs

Much like Rockford, the Bulldogs were busy early on. They have the second most wins in the state on other the boys or girls side and a 5-1 record. Grandville's only loss is to current #1 Rockford, whom they had previously topped on opening night. Mitch Fountain's Bulldogs are 2-1 against top ten teams and won their first five games of the season to open 2021.

T-#4 Hudsonville Eagles

Like East Grand Rapids, Ian Hewett's Eagles were inactive during the polling period. Hudsonville brings back a number of experienced players and are looking for their fourth consecutive State Championship when they return to action.

T-#4 Ann Arbor Huron River Rats

First year Head Coach Mary Chatigny has the River Rats out to a 1-0 start in limited action. The win came over current #10 Saline, who had a top ten win to their name prior to their meeting. The win also came on the road.

#6 Ann Arbor Skyline

The Eagles played once and picked up a top ten win over then #8 ranked Ann Arbor Pioneer on the road. Head Coach Rebecca Godek took a young group on the trip and keeps Skyline in the top ten with a 1-0 record. (Notice: Skyline's action at Pioneer tournament was scored officially as exhibition).

#7 Hotel/Okemos Co-Op

With some scheduling gymnastics from Head Coach Madi Zink, Hotel/Okemos managed to put together a good schedule on short notice. With a small but experienced group, Hotel/Okemos is out to a 1-0 start on the season. Hotel/Okemos is currently operating without their normal home pool, has barnstormed around the state for practice, and won 12-5 over Birmingham Groves on the road to open their season.

#8 Jenison Wildcats

The 'Cats are the first of three new entrants to the top ten. Nicole Vos' Wildcats are 2-1 with a 1-1 record against top ten teams, with their loss coming to now #1 Rockford. Jenison opened the year unranked before their run at the East Kentwood season-opening tournament.

#9 Birmingham Seaholm Maples

The Maples, under the direction of Kellie Howe, are out to a 2-0 start, with a 29-3 goal differential. Seaholm has only played road games thus far, and are ranked after being outside the preseason polls. The Seaholm Boys and Girls squads are now currently both ranked ninth.

#10 Saline Hornets

The Hornets played current #3 Grandville on the road and had the closest game with them outside of current #1 Rockford in the Grandville season opening tournament. They turned around and won a 28-19 barn-burner over then #10 Grand Ledge. The following week, they fell 12-6 to #5 Ann Arbor Huron. Nathan Barnett's Hornets have one of the strong strength of schedules amongst teams that have played.

On the Line: Ann Arbor Pioneer, East Kentwood, Zeeland.

What is "On The Line?": The first three teams outside the MWPA Poll in terms of percentage points - listed for context.

Understanding the Poll: The poll, open to all MWPA Head Coaches, is ranked via a point-percentage scoring model. The points column is percentage of points scored by voters against the maximum total, which is based on number of voters. The period that would signify percentage has been dropped off the beginning of each number.

Unanimous first place ranking nets a score of 1,000 points.

Coaches vote weekly during the season. Polls will be updated Monday afternoons at 12 pm ET. Inquiries on the poll can be directed to the chat feature on the MWPA website. Answering times may vary.