That's what Prepvolleyball.com said with its Century Club Pre-Season Top 100 High School Rankings, which were released last week. Benet, which has never made it to the state tournament, is ranked higher than defending Class 4A state champion Naperville Central.
If you are a signed up as a member on that site, click here. If not, take the word of The Heat Index, which is nothing if not a reliable source of information.
Here is how Prepvolleyball.com ranked Illinois teams:
4. Benet
7. Downers Grove South
14. Naperville Central
37. Mother McAuley
46. Althoff Catholic
96. Normal Community
If the Redhawks players are a bit put off by these rankings, The Heat Index understands. The last time Central saw Benet, the Redhawks beat the Redwings in two games in the sectional championship.
Central, which has won two of the past three state championships, is also ranked lower than Downers Grove South. The last time the Redhawks saw Downers South, Central won in two games in the sectional semifinal.
Before you start saying, "that was last year," let me just say this. Central has four returning starters, so it's not like there has been an overwhelming depletion of talent. And before you say, "pre-season rankings don't matter," let me just say type that I agree. But they are fun.
Here is the reasoning Prepvolleyball.com used to give the Redwings their lofty status.
The pieces are in place for an historic season, provided the Redwings can escape the states most brutal sectional. Benet returns virtually its entire lineup from last years team, which lost in sectional play to eventual state champion Naperville Central. The cornerstone is 6-1 senior middle Jessica Jendryk, but she has plenty of support from hard-hitting outsides Natalie Patzin and Ariana Mankus and backrow standout Paige Vargas. Second-year coach Brad Baker saw setter Beth Kinsella go down for the year with a torn ACL, but has a most capable replacement in senior Brianne Hucek, a transfer from Joliet Catholic.
Putting together a comprehensive list of the best teams in the country is a tremendous undertaking. It's a whole lot easier to poke holes in the rankings after the fact.
Poke away.
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