Devils Lake is now the No. 1-ranked team in Division A volleyball.
The Firebirds came in first in the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s latest biweekly poll, which was released Tuesday — about three hours before Devils Lake’s scheduled home match against Carrington.
Devils Lake had been No. 5 in the first poll of the season.
The Firebirds received five of the 12 first-place votes.
Carrington (9-2, 3-0), which Devils Lake hosts on Sept. 22 and travels to on Oct. 29, was ranked No. 3 in both polls. The Cardinals received four first-place votes in the latest poll. Oak Grove went from No. 1 to No. 2. The Firebirds lead Oak Grove by 12 points.
As of the time of the poll, Devils Lake is 12-0 overall and 3-0 in region play. Three of Devils Lake’s wins have been in five sets: its matches against Rugby, Harvey/Wells County and Hillsboro/Central Valley. None of those three teams received votes in Tuesday’s poll.
In fact, Devils Lake and Carrington are now the only teams from Region 2 to receive votes.
Tuesday’s match, depending on its result, could have ramifications one or way another for the next poll expected to be released in two weeks.
In Division B, Langdon Area/Munich is now the unanimous No. 1 with all 12 first-place votes. The Cardinals are yet to lose, with 16 wins and one tie as of Tuesday. They’re 2-0 in district play ahead of matches against Four Winds and New Rockford-Sheyenne this week.
North Star moved up from No. 3 to No. 2 despite losing to unranked Park River/Fordville-Lankin in five sets the day prior. The Bearcats had been off to an 11-0 start. As of Tuesday, they’re 11-1 overall and 4-0 in district play.
LA/M and North Star are the only District 4 teams to receive votes. Benson County (10-2) was left out. North Star and Benson County are set to duel on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
First-place votes are in parentheses.
Division A
- Devils Lake (5) – 42 points (Previous: 5)
- Oak Grove (2) – 30 points (Previous: 1)
- Carrington (4) – 29 points (Previous: 3)
- Valley City (1) – 26 points (Previous: NR)
- (T5) South Prairie-Max – 16 points (Previous: 4)
- (T5) Stanley – 16 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Northern Cass, Hazen, Des Lacs-Burlington
Division B
- Langdon Area/Munich (12) – 60 points (Previous: 1)
- North Star – 33 points (Previous: 3)
- Medina-Pingree/Buchanan – 25 points (Previous: 2)
- Kenmare/Bowbells – 22 points (Previous: 5)
- (T5) Central McLean – 16 points (Previous: 4)
- (T5) Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier – 16 points (Previous: NR)
Received votes: Hatton/Northwood, Flasher