MWPA Releases Week 3 Top Ten

The Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA) has released their third top ten coaches poll of the year following the busiest week to date of the season, with a more than 70-game slate due this week.

Below is a full breakdown of the week that was for the top ten.

1 - Hudsonville Eagles (13-2) | #1 PRI (.8504)

The Eagles had, to put it mildly, a monster week. It was impressive in every way. Returning from the Holiday break with some zip, they defeated #3 Rockford by five, then went to the always stacked Stevenson (Illinois) tournament and went 3-1, including a 6-5 sudden death victory over host Stevenson. The Eagles only losses are to out-of-state opponents, and Ian Hewett's group will continue to be well tested. A rematch with Stevenson, and a weekend slate including #2 East Grand Rapids and #3 Rockford awaits the Eagles

2 - East Grand Rapids Pioneers (11-5-1) | #3 PRI (.7056)

Raheem Brown has to date, put together the state's most challenging schedule (.664 opponent win percentage) and navigated the Pio's to an 8-3 in-state record with three out-of-state W's to their ledger. They, like Hudsonville, Rockford, and Grandville, went to the Stevenson (Illinois) Tournament and held their own - playing four consecutive single-digit score games. Team-defense is a high priority for a team that returned from the break with an impressive 12-2 win over then #5 East Kentwood before winning twice in Illinois.

3 - Rockford Rams (11-5) | #5 PRI (.6891)

The 2022 State Runners up were busy out of spring break. They took a loss to #1 Hudsonville but rebounded for a good win over a much-improved #10 Forest Hills. In Illinois, the Rams won twice, dispatching Naperville Central and Evanston to wrap up the tournament. This coming week is...unkind to put it one way. Katie Clarin will have to have the Rams on it as they get #6 East Kentwood, #2 East Grand Rapids twice, and #1 Hudsonville, as well as Adlai Stevenson this coming weekend.

4 - Saline-Milan Chickadees (8-1) | #2 PRI (.7529)

Only one team has registered a higher PRI score this season (Hudsonville), and credit coach Alli Littlejohn, the Chickdees are chucking teams aside left and right after going 7-16 last season. Unranked last week, they upset both #5 East Kentwood and #6 Ann Arbor Skyline in a pivotal district seed game on the road, and also notched convincing wins over Grand Haven and Seaholm. One of the state's most creative mascots? Absolutely. One of the state's best stories so far this year? Also, absolutely.

5 - Jenison Wildcats (13-2) | #4 PRI (.7055)

Jenison has the state's most wins against purely in-state opponents (13), and won every game by no-less than 10 goals last week. Spencer Sanders got Jenison their first ranked win since March 25 by defeated then #9 Ann Arbor Huron on Saturday (by 12). This week, they'll play a district seed game, and get a stiff test from #6 East Kentwood who they haven't yet seen. Down the stretch, East Kentwood (again), Hudsonville, Rockford, East Grand Rapids and more await the Wildcats.

6 - East Kentwood Falcons (11-6) | #9 PRI (.6044)

The Falcons ran into #2 East Grand Rapids and the red hot Chickadees of Saline-Milan this week, but also had a nice win over #9 Ann Arbor Huron and swept their rest of their slate with ease, even picking up their second shutout of the year. Defensive stalwart Jarod Lane had the Falcons giving up just 2.25 goals per game in their last four of the week, a pretty stingy number. They get #3 Rockford and the East Lansing WPC this week in seed games before facing off with Stevenson (Illinois), #5 Jenison and #8 Forest Hills.

7 - Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles (5-2-1) | #8 PRI (.6274)

Out of their off-time, they met the upstart Saline-Milan group who took a one goal win off the Eagles at Skyline. Rebecca Godek and company responded loud and clear with a double-digit win over then #8 Chelsea to get back to business. This week, they have another lighter schedule in terms of game volume, but ahead, a tricky schedule includes nearly the entire current MWPA top ten as they head into the postseason stretch.

8 - Forest Hills (9-4) | #7 PRI (.6325)

It just occurred to me...in all my years of polo I don't think I have ever heard if Forest Hills has a mascot! What gives?! Mascot or not, the....Foresters (we like this idea) are climbed to their highest poll position in school history this week after playing #3 Rockford tough, and then rolling off a 5-0 day at the Mason Bulldog invite. It included a three-goal victory over formerly #8 Chelsea and a District Seed win. Sara Fredricks and company gets a big test this week with #2 East Grand Rapids, Stevenson (IL), and #6 East Kentwood on the docket.

9 - Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers (9-6-1) | #11 PRI (.5585)

Three games, three days, three W's, no more than six goals allowed in any of them, and their second shutout in eight days. They also scored nearly at WILL (Hart...ha!) averaging a cool 16-spot on the week. This week they'll welcome in both East Lansing and #10 Walled Lake. The Pioneers, much like Skyline, will get to see a lot of West-side power in the coming weeks (Jenison, East Kentwood, Forest Hills, East Grand Rapids) as they prep for postseason.

10 - Walled Lake Cobras (7-2) | #6 PRI (.6345)

Guess who's back (back back), back again! It's the COBRAS! Yep, into the poll for the second time this year (and second time ever!), Claire Bartosic and the Cobras just keep rolling along. The Cobras had six wins COMBINED the last two seasons. Whatever Claire Bartosic is doing is working so far, they're 7-2 right now. They have a shot to take a stranglehold on the District 3 Seeding race Tuesday, then visit a challenging #9 Ann Arbor Pioneer on Thursday.

On the Line - Chelsea, Birmingham Seaholm

What is PRI?

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 Mondays during the season Inquiries on the poll can be directed to the chat feature on the MWPA website. Answering times may vary.