Week two of Volleyball Thursday Thoughts is here, and we’ve hit the halfway point of the season! With more matches in the books, the competition is heating up. Let’s dive into the latest contenders and surprises across all three divisions

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DIVISION I

Division I Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Bedford- The Bedford Bulldogs continue their dominance with a 7-0 undefeated record. Their latest victories over Pinkerton and Windham solidify their status as the team to beat. They have a tough matchup against Goffstown coming up, which will be a true test of their mettle.

2. Goffstown-The Grizzlies have remained steady in the second spot, cruising through their schedule, and matching Bedford with a perfect 7-0 record. Their upcoming match against Bedford is shaping up to be one of the biggest showdowns of the season. A win over the Bulldogs would not only maintain their perfect record but also catapult them to the top of the standings, usurping the current front-runners.

3. Hollis-Brookline- The Cavaliers are 5-1 on the season.

4. Salem- The Blue Devils continue to strengthen their case as a top 4 contender with an impressive 6-1 record. A win against Hollis-Brookline in their next game would not only solidify their standing but could push them up in the rankings. Upcoming matchups against Merrimack and Bishop Guertin will also put them to the test, providing a clearer picture of just how far this team can go.

5. Nashua South- Nashua South (6-1) has been quietly building momentum this season taking care of Londonderry, Portsmouth, and Concord, but the upcoming stretch will be pivotal. With rivals Nashua North and Bishop Guertin looming this week, these matchups will provide insight into their ability to handle high-pressure situations and maintain their standing among the top teams.

6. Bishop Guertin- The Cardinals (4-1) have dropped slightly in the rankings this week, mainly due to fewer games on their schedule, making it harder to gauge their full potential. After a week off, they rebounded from their close loss to Hollis-Brookline with a commanding sweep of Winnacunnet. The real test for BG’s merit lies ahead, as they face Merrimack, Londonderry, and Nashua South over the next seven days.

7. Merrimack- Merrimack (7-1) continues to rise, grinding out three consecutive five-set wins against Nashua North, Concord, and Londonderry—teams projected within their competitive range. With a challenging stretch ahead, facing Bishop Guertin, Hollis-Brookline, Salem, Nashua South, and Goffstown, their ability to pull out wins will be crucial in determining just how far they can go this season.

8. Pinkerton- The Astros remain solidly in the mix with a 6-3 record, with all three losses coming against teams ranked in the top 4. As they move past the easier part of their schedule, consistency will be key. They’ll need to keep performing and winning to maintain their standing and prove they can compete with the top teams as the season progresses.

9. Windham- Windham is in a similar position to Pinkerton, sitting at 5-3 as they head into the latter half of the season. They’ve shown flashes of strong play but will need to keep elevating their performance as the competition intensifies. With tougher matches ahead, Windham must continue building on their success to stay in contention.

10. Nashua North- Nashua North has slipped slightly in the rankings, but there’s no reason for concern just yet. With plenty of season left, the Titans (4-4) have ample opportunity to rebound, starting with a crucial rivalry match against Nashua South. This game could be the spark they need to regain momentum and climb back up the standings.

DIVISION II

Division II Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Somersworth- Somersworth remains perfect on the season (7-0), with their only dropped sets coming from Coe-Brown on September 11. As the top-ranked team, they’ve become the team to beat, and they face a challenging stretch ahead. With upcoming matchups against Campbell, Souhegan, and Kingswood—each of which holds a spot in this top 10—the Hilltoppers will need to stay sharp as the target on their backs continues to grow.

2. Souhegan- Souhegan is also perfect on the season (6-0), dropping just one set against Campbell. The Sabers face a pivotal week ahead, hosting two top-4 matchups against Oyster River and Somersworth, both of which will test their resilience. With a tough back half of their schedule still looming, these games will be key to maintaining their undefeated record and high positioning.

3. Coe-Brown- Coe-Brown (5-1) has performed as expected this season, holding steady after their only loss in a close five-set battle with Somersworth. Their next challenge comes against John Stark, but for now, Coe-Brown’s performance has been consistent, with no major movement in the rankings until they prove themselves further in these key matchups.

4. Oyster River- Oyster River drops slightly in this week’s ranking but is proving that their early-season loss to Coe-Brown hasn’t shaken their confidence. They’ve continued to dominate since with a 5-1 record and a four-set win over previously unbeaten Milford. With a matchup against Souhegan coming up and a much-anticipated rematch with Coe-Brown on the horizon, the Bobcats are focused reclaiming their spot among the top teams in Division 2.

5. Milford- Milford (6-1) has enjoyed a relatively easy start to the season, with their only true test coming against Oyster River, where they managed to snag a set. However, things are about to get much tougher. Their upcoming stretch includes games against top-tier teams like Souhegan, Pelham (twice), John Stark, and Campbell. These matchups will be a real test of Milford’s abilities and will reveal how they stack up against stronger competition.

6. Campbell- Campbell’s only two losses this season have come against top teams, Oyster River and Souhegan, showing that they can compete with the best. However, the Cougars (5-2) cruised through three lower-ranked teams in the past week with a combined record of 5-14, so there hasn’t been enough movement to justify shifting them in the rankings.

7. Gilford- Gilford enters the top 10 for the first time this season at 5-2. While their two losses to Campbell and Coe-Brown (both top 5 contenders) are understandable, they’ve yet to face their toughest tests. Greater challenges lie ahead, and Gilford will need to prove themselves against more formidable opponents before they can feel secure in this initial ranking.

8. John Stark- John Stark (4-2) has hit a rough patch with back-to-back sweeps in their last two games, showing that they still have work to do if they want to compete with the top teams. Their upcoming match against Coe-Brown will be crucial in determining whether they can bounce back and prove they belong among the best in Division 2.

9. Pelham- The Pythons (4-2) have shown solid form, steadily building on their performance from last week. However, they now face a series of crucial tests with upcoming matches against ConVal, Milford (twice), and top-ranked Somersworth. These games will be important in determining whether they can elevate their game and secure their place among the top teams in Division 2.

10. Kingswood- Kingswood holds steady at the #10 spot, performing solidly at 5-1 with their only loss coming against Oyster River. However, their toughest stretch is still ahead, with two matchups against top-ranked Somersworth, along with games against Gilford and Coe-Brown. How the Knights navigate this schedule will reveal whether they can solidify their place among the division’s elite.

DIVISION III

Division III Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Inter-Lakes - Inter-Lakes continues to do "Inter-Lakes things," dominating the division at with an ongoing undefeated record at 6-0. With their offense led by setter Meadow True, who recently surpassed her 1000th career assist, the Lakers are waiting for someone to rise to the challenge and give them the test they need.

2. Concord Christian - Concord Christian remains firmly in the #2 spot at 5-1. While they’ve navigated the early part of their schedule smoothly, the real challenges lie ahead. As the season progresses into October, tougher matchups against Belmont, Mascenic, and Portsmouth Christian will provide a clearer picture of the Kingsmen's potential to make a serious run for the top spot.

3. Trinity- Trinity rises in the rankings this week, helped by their impressive sweep of Portsmouth Christian. Despite their strong 7-2 record, much of their schedule hasn’t provided many other immediate challenges. Moving forward, it will be crucial for Trinity to capitalize on upcoming opportunities to prove themselves against stronger competition.

4. Portsmouth Christian - Portsmouth Christian (4-1) is charging ahead after their early-season loss to Trinity, showing a renewed focus in their recent matches. With upcoming games against Raymond, Farmington, and Franklin, the Eagles need to stay sharp and finish strong in each contest. These matches present a great opportunity to continue building momentum as they fight among the best in the division.

5. Belmont- Belmont remains steady in the rankings, with their only losses coming against Top 4 teams. Currently riding a 4-0 winning streak, the Red Raiders are showing their ability to compete. However, the upcoming stretch against Raymond, Farmington, and Concord Christian will quickly test their form as the competition intensifies.

6. Mascenic - Mascenic (4-1) gets a big boost in the rankings this week after a dominant sweep of Raymond. Riding this wave of momentum, the Vikings have a relatively easy week ahead. If they can secure wins in these upcoming matches, Mascenic will further establish themselves as a team not to be overlooked in Division 3.

7. Raymond-  Raymond remains steady in the rankings at 5-2 but needs to regroup after a tough sweep at the hands of Mascenic. With Portsmouth Christian and Belmont waiting in the wings, Raymond will have to bounce back quickly as they jump right into the fray with two pivotal matchups that could determine their standing among the division’s top teams.

8. Moultonborough - Moultonborough stays strong at #8 with a solid 4-2 record, but they’ll need to rack up more wins against top 10 teams to truly make a statement. While their current standing reflects consistency, victories over higher-ranked opponents will be critical if the Panthers want to climb higher and prove they are here to stay.

9. Farmington- Farmington is looking to break out of a two-game losing streak, though both losses came against #1 Inter-Lakes and #2 Concord Christian. Like Moultonborough, the Tigers need to prove themselves against tougher competition to rise out of the middle of the pack. Securing wins in their upcoming matchups will be key if they want to show they can contend with the top teams in Division 3.

10. Newfound - Newfound rounds out the top 10, currently sitting at 3-3. While they’ve managed to secure wins against easier teams, they’ve struggled against tougher competition. The immediate focus for the Bears is to snap their three-game losing streak and regain momentum. Proving they can compete against stronger opponents will be key to stay in the mix.