The top of the rankings stays the same heading into the final week of the regular season. But there was plenty of movement in the rest of the top 15.
1. Berkeley Prep (22-2)
Up next: Idle
Last spot: No. 1
Why they stayed put: The Buccaneers, ranked fifth in the nation, closed out the regular season on a 15-match win streak, including sweeps over Newsome and Tampa Bay HEAT last week. Berkeley Prep can now focus on the ultra-competitive Class 3A, District 5 tournament, which starts on Oct. 18.
2. Steinbrenner (21-2)
Up next: Monday at Blake; Tuesday vs. Plant
Last spot: No. 2
Why they stayed put: The Warriors, ranked No. 3 in Class 7A, have won 10 straight matches, including a sweep over Alonso in their only match last week. Steinbrenner closes out the regular season with an anticipated matchup against Plant that could serve as a preview of the Class 7A, District 7 final.
3. Plant (18-4)
Up next: Tuesday at Steinbrenner; Wednesday vs. Clearwater Central Catholic; Thursday at Robinson
Last spot: No. 3
Why they stayed put: The Panthers, the state’s top team in 7A according to MaxPreps, have won seven straight, all via sweeps. The match against Steinbrenner is not the only tough one this week. Plant also faces Clearwater Central Catholic on Wednesday.
4. Tampa Prep (18-5)
Up next: Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay HEAT; Thursday at Ocala Trinity Catholic
Last spot: No. 4
Why they stayed put: The Terrapins are on a three-match win streak after sweeping Academy of the Holy Names last week. Two of Tampa Prep’s five losses this season have come against Berkeley Prep and Plant, both ranked ahead of the Terrapins.
5. Riverview (13-3)
Up next: Monday at Leto; Thursday at East Bay
Last spot: No. 6
Why they moved up: After starting the season 1-3, the Sharks have won 12 straight matches, including sweeps over Robinson and Durant last week. Riverview will try to keep that streak going with matches against Leto on Monday and East Bay on Thursday to close out the regular season.
6. Academy of the Holy Names (15-8)
Up next: Tuesday at Osceola
Last spot: No. 5
Why they moved down: The Jaguars split their two matches last week, sweeping Tampa Bay HEAT and getting swept by Tampa Prep. Academy of the Holy Names travels to Osceola on Tuesday for its regular season finale.
7. Newsome (15-7)
Up next: Tuesday at Tampa Bay Tech; Thursday at Bloomingdale
Last spot: No. 7
Why they stayed put: The Wolves won their only match last week, sweeping Lennard. Newsome finishes the regular season with matches against Tampa Bay Tech on Tuesday and Bloomingdale on Thursday.
8. Wharton (13-7)
Up next: Tuesday at Strawberry Crest
Why they stayed put: The Wildcats swept King to extend their win streak to five. Wharton will maintain that streak when it travels to play Strawberry Crest in Tuesday’s regular season finale.
9. Bloomingdale (11-5)
Up next: Thursday vs. Newsome
Last spot: No. 10
Why they moved up: The Bulls had a solid week, beating Strawberry Crest in five sets and sweeping Sumner to extend their win streak to three. Another challenge comes Thursday when Bloomingdale hosts Newsome in the regular season finale.
10. Sickles (13-10)
Up next: Monday at Wiregrass Ranch; Tuesday at Gaither
Last spot: No. 9
Why they moved down: The Gryphons split their two matches last week, sweeping Blake and getting swept by Plant. That tough schedule will help Sickles stay competitive in the Class 7A, District 7 tournament that starts Oct. 18.
11. Plant City (8-4)
Up next: Monday at Lennard
Last spot: No. 15
Why they moved up: The Raiders have won four of their last five matches, including a sweep over East Bay in their only match last week. Plant City finishes the regular season with a match against Lennard on Monday.
12. Strawberry Crest (12-5)
Up next: Tuesday vs. Wharton
Why they moved down: The Chargers split their two matches last week, losing in five sets to Bloomingdale and sweeping Leto. Strawberry Crest hosts Wharton on Tuesday in the regular season finale.
13. Freedom (8-2)
Up next: Tuesday at Hillsborough; Thursday vs. Alonso
Last spot: No. 13
Why they stayed put: Though the schedule has been light, the Patriots have played well. They beat Gaither in five sets in their only match last week. Freedom’s two losses came against Wharton and Strawberry Crest.
14. Carrollwood Day (13-10)
Up next: Tuesday at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney; Thursday at Calvary Christian
Last spot: No. 12
Why they moved down: The Patriots split their two matches last week, sweeping Patel and getting swept by Bishop McLaughlin. All of Carrollwood Day’s losses this season have come against quality opponents.
15. Tampa Catholic (12-10)
Up next: Tuesday at Shorecrest
Last spot: No. 14
Why they moved down: The Crusaders will try to snap out of their four-match losing streak when they travel to play Shorecrest in the regular season finale.
On the bubble: Gaither (6-3) , Sumner (8-8), Cambridge Christian (12-10)
