Math is math.
The way it came about is as strange as it gets. Leilehua remains at No. 1 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10 today despite a loss to then No. 7 Mililani — and despite receiving just one out of 11 first-place votes.
The Lady Mules reached No. 1 in the poll last week, a first in recent years. Leilehua beat then-No. 10 Pearl City before losing at home (Kaala Elementary School field) to the Trojans, 5-3.
Instead of falling down the rankings, the panel of coaches and media left Leilehua (6-2, 3-1 OIA West) at No. 1. Or more accurately, the Lady Mules collected more points for the top three spots than any other team. Kamehameha (9-2, 4-0 ILH) moved up three spots to No. 2. The Warriors collected five first-place votes, as did No. 3 Campbell, but neither team could leap over Leilehua.
Kamehameha walloped St. Francis 11-2 and ‘Iolani 12-0 in ILH play. Campbell (9-3-2, 2-1 OIA West) played just one game last week, beating Waianae 6-4.
Maryknoll (7-3, 2-1 ILH) dropped two spots to No. 4 after a 3-1 win over St. Francis and a 10-4 loss to ‘Iolani.
Roosevelt (5-0-1, 3-0 OIA East) climbed one spot higher to No. 5 after a 3-1 road win over Moanalua.
Kapolei (2-2 OIA West) and Punahou (3-1 ILH), tied for sixth, and Mililani (2-2 OIA West), Pearl City (2-1 OIA West) and Kaiser (3-0 OIA East) rounded out the Top 10.
This is Kaiser’s first trip into the poll this season. Mid-Pacific dropped out of the Top 10.
Seven other teams also received votes: Baldwin (seven), ‘Iolani (six), Mid-Pacific (six), Waiakea (five), Waianae (five), St. Francis (five) and Lahainaluna (one).
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10
| GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 10/23 | ||
| RANK | TEAM | VOTES |
| 1. | Kamehameha (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Punahou | 89 |
| 3. | KS-Hawaii | 80 |
| 4. | Moanalua | 67 |
| 5. | 'Iolani | 60 |
| 6. | Baldwin | 46 |
| 7. | Mililani | 34 |
| 8. | Mid-Pacific | 27 |
| 9. | Damien | 20 |
| 10. | University | 14 |
Who votes in these polls? Coaches? So only 11 coaches statewide vote? I guess they know that these polls don’t really mean much except to people who want to start a conversation.
It’s hard to believe that Roosevelt is ranked higher than Kapolei, Mililani, and Pearl City. Yes, Roosevelt is much improved, but I cannot see them being undefeated if they played an OIA West schedule. The same goes for Kaiser.
Oh well, I guess these polls are good for debates since they do not determine state tourney berths. Just wish more coaches would vote so that the term “statewide poll” would be more accurate.
Wait…Mililani beats the #1 team and they drop in the poll? How does that happen?