STATE VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS
UNDERSTANDING AIA RANKINGS AND PLAYOFFS
Update October 27, 2019 - Time sensitive information
Wondering what will happen over the next couple of weeks? Play-ins. Playoffs. Championships. It can get pretty confusing. So let’s break it down.
WHICH RANKINGS TO FOLLOW
Two organizations offer rankings of Arizona high school volleyball. One of them is MaxPreps. With our current 27-3 record, MaxPreps show us 886th in the nation, 25th in the state, and 3rd in our conference.
But…. Arizona teams follow the rankings provided by AIA.
What is AIA? The Arizona Interscholastic Association is a voluntary association of public and private high schools overseeing activities such as girls high school volleyball.
AIA provides a convenient app called AZPreps365. Arizona teams rely on this app's local rankings, tournament schedules, rules, etc.
According to AIA/AZPreps365, Estrella Foothills Varsity volleyball is ranked #2 in our conference. In our conference, we are 17-0. AIA has 6 conferences. We are 4A.
In our region, we are currently ranked #1. Our region is 4A Southwest.
The rankings are updated every Tuesday through Friday at Noon. Or, if you have the AZPreps365 mobile app, you can see early updates at 10am.
But…. Arizona teams follow the rankings provided by AIA.
What is AIA? The Arizona Interscholastic Association is a voluntary association of public and private high schools overseeing activities such as girls high school volleyball.
AIA provides a convenient app called AZPreps365. Arizona teams rely on this app's local rankings, tournament schedules, rules, etc.
According to AIA/AZPreps365, Estrella Foothills Varsity volleyball is ranked #2 in our conference. In our conference, we are 17-0. AIA has 6 conferences. We are 4A.
In our region, we are currently ranked #1. Our region is 4A Southwest.
The rankings are updated every Tuesday through Friday at Noon. Or, if you have the AZPreps365 mobile app, you can see early updates at 10am.
HOW RANKINGS WORK
Why is there a difference in rankings between AIA and MaxPreps? It’s based on an algorithm.
Instead of predicting the future, the AIA algorithm analyzes past games and performances. If we win one night, we'll get the updated ranking the next day.
Instead of predicting the future, the AIA algorithm analyzes past games and performances. If we win one night, we'll get the updated ranking the next day.
AIA FAQs state: "The AIA Rankings are based on the algorithm derived utilizing statistical mathematics presented in a research paper titled: “A Solution to the Unequal Strength of Schedule Problem” by Roy Bethel in 2005 and developed by MaxPreps for nationwide high school sports."
The rankings seen on MaxPreps are predictive in nature as opposed to the “retrodictive” formula powering the AIA Seedings which looks at games that occurred in the past. While both process results from thousands of games nationwide, the “retrodictive” formula was determined to be more appropriate for post-season seedings,” explains AIA.
Invitational tournaments are NOT included in the AIA rankings. For example, our overall record - today, October 22, 2019 - is 25-3. 10 of those games occurred during the Wolves Classic and the Coconino Classic in Flagstaff. Those games don’t count toward our overall region or conference rankings. In the AIA, we are 15-0 in overall PowerPoints based on the schedule put in place by the AIA.
Why, then, are we ranked #2 in the 4A Conference if we have the most wins? Because the strength of schedule of the team ahead of us is just a bit stronger.
Why, then, are we ranked #2 in the 4A Conference if we have the most wins? Because the strength of schedule of the team ahead of us is just a bit stronger.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The top 8 teams in each conference get a bye as they automatically advance to the State Playoffs.
Teams ranked #9 through #24 will compete in a Conference Play-In Tournament. The tops teams in this bracket must "play in" to get to playoffs.
Teams ranked #9 through #24 will compete in a Conference Play-In Tournament. The tops teams in this bracket must "play in" to get to playoffs.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
State Championships for Arizona High School Girls Volleyball begin November 5th. See the brackets here.
Round 1: Teams #1-16 play each other November 5th. Games start at 6:30pm and will be held at the location of the “high seed” or the team with the higher ranking.
Quarterfinals: Teams #1-8 play November 7th at the “high seed” starting at 6:30pm.
Semifinals: Teams #1-4 play November 9th at the “high seed” starting at either 6pm or 7pm. There’s conflicting information on the exact start time.
Finals: The top two remaining teams play November 13th. 7pm at Highland High School. The address is 4301 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234.
To find Championship information regarding all conferences, please visit this link.
Quarterfinals: Teams #1-8 play November 7th at the “high seed” starting at 6:30pm.
Semifinals: Teams #1-4 play November 9th at the “high seed” starting at either 6pm or 7pm. There’s conflicting information on the exact start time.
Finals: The top two remaining teams play November 13th. 7pm at Highland High School. The address is 4301 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234.
To find Championship information regarding all conferences, please visit this link.
ONE GAME AT A TIME
For now, we continue to root on our Lady Wolves. It’s one game at a time. The Booster Club supports all of our teams, athletes and coaches. No matter the outcome, our teams have made Estrella Foothills High School history and we’re so proud of all they have accomplished! Go Wolves!!
