Boys' volleyball is sort of a cult sport.

Some of the best athletes around play the sport but many do so in anonymity. Played well, it is a thrilling sport by both the boys and the girls but, I feel that because it is played inside when most of us want to finally head to the outdoors after the long winter, it draws few fans.
Our area always features some of the best volleyball teams. Bunnell was the best girls' team in the state last season and several area teams were amongst the top 10.
Who's the best boys' team?
Well, a couple area teams are staking their claim to be the state's best.
Shelton is still undefeated and Amity battled Lewis Mills tooth-and-nail last week.

I've seen a few matches this year and watched a 12-team jamboree at Southington at the beginning of the season. I also saw plenty of matches last year so I know which teams have the most talent coming back.
Still, this is a sport where teams can improve in a hurry and teams that send the bulk of their rosters to the Junior programs usually fare the best.

Here's a look at the my top 10.
Records are through Wednesday's games.

1. Lewis Mills-Burlington (3-0)
Bottom line: The Spartans are defending Class M champions
2. Staples-Westport (3-0)
Bottom line: Class L favorite has yet to be challenged
3. Trumbull (3-0)
Bottom line: Schedule has been favorable thus far.
4. Amity-Woodbridge (3-1)
Bottom line: Impressive in loss to No. 1 Lewis Mills
5. Shelton (5-0)
Bottom line: Adapting well to new coach
6. Joel Barlow (4-1)
Bottom line: Perennial Class M power
7. Glastonbury (4-0)
Bottom line: Win over Southington impressive
8. Maloney (5-0)
Bottom line: 2005 Class M champs have rebuilt
9. Southington (1-2)
Bottom line: Slow start could be an aberration
10. Enfield (3-1)
Bottom line: One of state’s tallest teams.
SCC rankings
1. Amity (3-1)
The Spartans proved they could play with anyone after pushing Lewis Mills to four games Wednesday. It looked like Amity ran out of gas in the fourth game but the first three were very tight.
2. Shelton (5-0)
Coach Ryan Woodcock couldn’t have asked for a better start but the Gaels’ schedule is extremely difficult over the next 10 days. We’ll see how good they really after a stretch against Hand, Lewis Mills, Joel Barlow and Amity.
3. Hand-Madison (2-2)
The Tigers dropped a pair against two top-10 teams. They are still a major player in the SCC.
4. Cheshire (1-2)
The Rams have been hit hard by graduation lately but coach Sue Bavone likes her team’s passing.
5. Xavier-Middletown (1-3)
Coach Todd Krasnitski called the Falcons’ sweep of Norwich Free Academy the team’s best performance in two years.

Check out this link for the latest CIAC standings.
http://www.casciac.org/scripts/bvb_rankings.cgi?div=L