Varsity Maine volleyball poll’s top team facing tough finish to regular season

Thornton Academy Remains No. 1 in Varsity Maine Volleyball Poll; Gorham Stands as the Only Team to Beat the Trojans

The Varsity Maine volleyball poll released on Monday, October 13, 2026, confirms that Thornton Academy has held the top spot for a second straight week. The Golden Trojans, which have already faced a tough slate of games, received 86 points in the latest poll, including six first‑place votes from the voting panel.

Thornton’s rank remains unchanged from last week, indicating the staff’s confidence in the team’s performance and future prospects. The poll is based on all games played up to the previous Tuesday, and the top ten schools are listed in order of points earned.

Thornton Academy (86) – No. 1
Cheverus/Waynflete (80) – No. 2
Washington Academy (71) – No. 3
Greely (61) – No. 4
York (58) – No. 5
Gorham (45) – No. 6
Gardiner (23) – No. 7
Scarborough (18) – No. 8
George Stevens Academy (16) – No. 9
Falmouth (15) – No. 10

Other programs received votes but did not make the top ten: Lewiston/Lisbon (14), Messalonskee (4), Medomak Valley (2), Woodland (1), and Narraguagus (1).

Thorntons Tightening Schedule

Thornton’s season has already seen a series of high‑stakes matchups. The Trojans traveled to Portland on Tuesday, where they faced a strong opponent. Their next game was a clash with Gorham, a three‑time defending state champion. Gorham remains the only team to have beaten Thornton this season, a fact that has made their upcoming encounters particularly meaningful for both programs.

In addition to the Gorham series, Thornton’s remaining schedule features matchups that many consider among the toughest in the state. The Trojans will host Scarborough, who is ranked eighth, and then head to Saco for their final game of the month. With a record of 8–0 against other ranked teams and a string of victories that have kept their point total high, Thornton’s consistent play has earned them the top spot in the poll.

Gorham’s Defensive Legacy

Gorham, led by a roster that has defended the state title for three consecutive seasons, continues to be a formidable opponent. The Rams’ defensive strategy has proved effective against most teams, but the Trojans’ recent victory over them shows that the state championship title remains contested. Gorham’s ranking at No. 6 reflects both their historical success and the challenge they present to the current top teams.

Other Key Teams

Cheverus/Waynflete holds the second spot with 80 points and has already posted wins against several highly ranked schools, positioning them as a dark‑horse candidate for the state title. Washington Academy and Greely occupy the third and fourth spots, respectively, both with strong records and a series of impressive performances over the past month.

York, the fifth‑ranked team, faces a difficult closing stretch of the season. Their schedule includes a home match against Scarborough on Tuesday and an away game against the fourth‑ranked Greely on Monday. Afterward, they will play Gardiner and Lewiston/Lisbon, both of which are ranked near the bottom of the top‑ten list.

Gardiner, Scarborough, and George Stevens Academy occupy the middle of the rankings. Scarborough’s recent performance against the top teams has earned them an eighth‑place finish, while George Stevens Academy has shown resilience in a competitive conference.

Falmouth Joins the Top Ten

Falmouth’s placement at No. 10 comes after a season where they lost only to Scarborough, Cheverus/Waynflete, and Gorham. Their consistent play in a difficult conference has earned them a spot in the poll, highlighting the depth of competitive teams in the state.

Upcoming Games

• Thornton vs. Gorham – Thursday, Saco: A rematch of the previous season’s championship‑deciding game.
• Thornton vs. Scarborough – Date: TBD (exact date not provided).
• Gorham’s next opponents – Their schedule after the Thursday game includes the eighth‑ranked Scarborough, but the exact dates and venues are yet to be announced.

The Varsity Maine volleyball poll provides a snapshot of the state’s top programs, reflecting both recent results and the perceived strength of each team’s remaining schedule. While Thornton Academy’s current lead appears solid, the rest of the field—particularly Gorham—remains poised to challenge for the state title. As the season progresses, fans can expect more high‑intensity matchups that may reshape the rankings in the weeks ahead.