TOP OF THE CROP

Volleyball

1: (1) NDCL 10-1 2: (2) Gilmour 7-2 3: (4) Riverside 8-2 4: (3) Lake Catholic 7-3 5: (5) Kenston 8-1 6: (6) Beaumont 3-4 7: (7) Mentor 4-5 8: (NR) Mayfield 8-2 9: (8) South 5-4 10: (NR) Beachwood 8-0

Watch list: Geneva, Newbury, VASJ, Wickliffe, Cardinal Dropped out: Geneva, Newbury Crop comments: NDCL asserted its status as the area’s top team when, hours after the Lions debuted as the No. 3 team in the D-II state coaches poll, they won at Gilmour in four sets. NDCL faces another test at St. Joseph Academy on Sept. 12, travels to Hathaway Brown on Sept. 14 and hosts Laurel on Sept. 17 . ... Gilmour won the championship at the Lancer Invitational before the Lancers, No. 7 in D-II, fell to NDCL. Gilmour visits Beaumont on Sept. 12 and hosts Lake Catholic on Sept. 17 . ... Riverside picked up wins against Norwalk and Brecksville to finish third at the Lancer Invitational, then handed Mayfield its first loss in WRC play. The Beavers host Kenston in a showdown of the league’s top teams Sept. 12, then visits South on Sept. 17 . ... Lake Catholic, ranked No. 13 in D-II, placed fifth at the Lancer Invitational. The Cougars travel to Kenston on Sept. 14 then visit Gilmour on Sept. 17 . ... Kenston went 3-0 against North Royalton, Chardon and Madison. The Bombers take their first crack at defending WRC champion Riverside on Sept. 12 after the Beavers defeated Kenston in all three matchups last year . ... Beaumont fell to NDCL. The Blue Streaks host Gilmour on Sept. 12 then play at the Hudson quad Sept. 14. ... Mentor fell to Strongsville before the Cardinals defeated Brunswick. Mentor plays at Euclid on Sept. 12 then faces a road test at Solon on Sept. 17 . ... Mayfield continued its strong start to the season with a win over South and pushed Riverside to five sets in a loss. The Wildcats host North on Sept. 12 and plays Kenston at home Sept. 17 . ... South lost to Mayfield then rebounded with a win over Chardon. The Rebels play at Brush on Sept. 12 and host Riverside on Sept. 17 . ... Beachwood remained undefeated with wins over Cornerstone Christian and Geneva. The Bison, ranked No. 14 in D-III, host Orange on Sept. 12 and travel to Chagrin Falls Sept. 17.

Noted: Records as of Sept. 10.