As if the race in Div. VI water polo isn’t close enough, the three ranked Desert Valley League teams changed positions after the first full week of league play.

Palm Desert moved up to No. 4, La Quinta dropped to No. 5 and Palm Springs is No. 6. Palm Springs and La Quinta battled through a tight match last week with the Blackhawks emerging with the victory, 12-9. Palm Desert topped Palm Springs, 12-8. The Indians are solid enough to stay at No. 6.

However, the biggest game of the season so far is Thursday at Palm Desert.

That’s when the Aztecs host La Quinta to end the first round of play. It’s also somewhat of a rematch where Palm Desert beat La Quinta in a non-league weekend pool play tournament.

Look for another tight game.

Water polo’s top-ranked teams standing in the way of the DVL reps are No. 1 Oaks Christian, No. 2 Temescal Canyon and No. 3 Malibu.

In volleyball, Xavier Prep remains the lone ranked team in Div. 2 at No. 6 overall. In Div. 4, Shadow Hills is firm at No. 6 and in Div. 5, it’s West Shores at No. 6 and Marywood Palm Valley at No. 8.

Xavier also holds on in cross country as both boys and girls are No. 3 in Div. 5.