While Helena Capital was busy winning its 66th consecutive match, 25-17, 25-10, 25-11 over Missoula Sentinel on Tuesday, the Bruins again topped the Class AA volleyball coaches' poll, which was released just as the match was reaching its conclusion.
The two-time reigning champion Bruins are now 11-0 on the season and received 11 first-place votes in the coaches' poll. Great Falls CMR received the other first-place vote and is second in the rankings, followed by Helena High and Billings West at third and fourth, respectively. Missoula Sentinel and Kalispell Glacier are tied for fifth.
The top four spots in the poll have remained the same all season, with Sentinel and Glacier taking turns at the fifth spot. This is the first week the Spartans and Wolfpack are tied in the poll.
The Class AA volleyball regular season is winding to a close. The first round of the state playoffs will be played on Nov. 3. By winning the Western AA conference championship, Helena Capital will have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, which have been altered this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and will start with intra-division pairings in the first round.
The highest seed will host throughout the new single-elimination playoffs, with teams in each division being reseeded after the first round. The quarterfinal round is scheduled for Nov. 7, the semifinals on Nov. 10 and the state championship on Nov. 14.
The results of the weekly poll can be found below, with first-place votes in parentheses and total points at right.
Class AA volleyball coaches' poll
Week of Oct. 20, 2020
1. Helena Capital (11) 59 points
2. Great Falls CMR (1) 45 points
3. Helena High 36 points
4. Billings West 18 points
T5. Missoula Sentinel 7 points
T5. Kalispell Glacier 7 points
Also receiving votes, in order: Bozeman High, Billings Senior.
