Class AA has been every bit as competitive as expected, with Hopewell establishing itself as the early favorite while a pack of contenders chase close behind. South Park and Seton LaSalle are holding steady, OLSH picked up a tournament title, and programs like Neshannock and Brownsville are showing they belong in the conversation. The next few weeks will be critical in sorting out the pecking order.
1 – Hopewell (4-0)
The Vikings look every bit like the team to beat in Class AA. They’ve handled Central Valley, Blackhawk, Quaker Valley, and Northgate while dropping just one set. Tournament play has kept them sharp too — bowing out in the Moon quarterfinals and reaching the semis at Butler before falling to Chartiers Valley. Two weeks in, Hopewell has proven it has both the balance and depth to back up preseason buzz.
2 – South Park (3-1)
South Park has been steady out of the gate, with wins over Southmoreland, East Allegheny, and Seton LaSalle. The lone stumble came against Eden Christian, but the Eagles also gained valuable reps at the Franklin Regional Tournament, reaching the quarters before falling to Plum. With Sydney Sekely leading the offense, South Park looks like it will remain in the thick of the title race.
3 – Seton LaSalle (3-1)
The Rebels opened hot, sweeping OLSH, Steel Valley, and Bishop Canevin before falling in a competitive four-setter at South Park. Seton LaSalle looks poised to challenge the top two if they can maintain consistency through section play.
4 – Neshannock (4-0)
The Lancers are unbeaten with wins over Wilmington, Laurel, New Castle, and Ellwood City. Their tournament showing at Moon ended quickly with a first-round exit, but in head-to-head play, they’ve looked strong and balanced. Neshannock’s early success signals they’ll be hanging around the Top 5 all season.
5 – OLSH (3-1)
The Chargers slide into the rankings after outlasting Avonworth in a five-set thriller and sweeping Keystone Oaks. They also walked away with the South Side Beaver Tournament title, showing their ability to string together wins under pressure. With a championship already in hand, OLSH has momentum building.
On the Fringe
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Avonworth (2-2) – Took OLSH to five sets, swept by North Hills, but beat GCC and Northgate.
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Burrell (2-1) – Solid start with room to climb.
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South Allegheny (3-1) – Quality wins and a chance to prove themselves against Seton this week.
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Waynesburg (4-0) – Off to a perfect start.
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Shenango (2-0) – Early but impressive, highlighted by a win over Union.
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Brownsville (4-0) – Claimed the Fayette County Tournament title with a championship win over Laurel Highlands.
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Chartiers-Houston (3-0) – Flawless so far and waiting for a test.
Games to Watch this Week
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Monday, Sept. 8 – California at Brownsville: Brownsville’s unbeaten run meets a sneaky test.
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Tuesday, Sept. 9 – Hopewell at Avonworth: A chance for Avonworth to prove they belong in the Top 5.
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Thursday, Sept. 11 – Seton LaSalle at South Allegheny: Fringe contender gets a swing at the #3 team.
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Thursday, Sept. 11 – Shenango at Neshannock: A classic section battle with Top 5 implications.
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Thursday, Sept. 11 – Burrell at Neighborhood Academy: Burrell looking to solidify its case for the rankings.