New Boston Globe Poll, "We Try Harder" Number 2

The Boston Globe comes out with a new volleyball poll.  Melrose is "Avis" to Barnstable's legendary "Hertz" franchise.

The girls volleyball poll as of Oct. 7, 2012. The teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.

No. Team Record    Previous

1. Barnstable 8-0    1

2. Melrose 12-0    2

3. Lincoln-Sudbury 9-0    13

4. Andover 10-0    9

5. Newton North 8-1    3

6. Canton 10-0    6

7. Arlington Catholic 12-1    4

8. North Andover 9-2    12

9. Wellesley 10-1    5

10. Brookline 8-2    —

11. Medfield 8-3    17

12. Reading 10-2    8

13. New Bedford 11-1    16

14. North Quincy 10-2    15

15. Quincy 8-3    14

16. North Attleborough 8-2    —

17. Notre Dame (Hingham) 7-2    19

18. Lynnfield 10-2    7

19. Central Catholic 7-3    —

20. Chelmsford 6-4    —


I opine that teams getting under-recognized include Notre Dame (Hingham), Westborough, Medfield, Bishop Feehan, Bourne, Longmeadow, and Bishop Fenwick...in no particular order. Travel and cost constraints limit inter-sectional rivalries that would help define relative strength, for what it's worth.

Melrose has remaining matches with Maxpreps.com (computer ranking) powers Westborough and Newton North on the schedule.