SBLive national high school girls volleyball rankings (9/26/2023)

The Hamilton Southeastern Royals (Indiana) have been a force in single-match contests all season. Last weekend, they showed they can be dominant in tournaments,

The Hamilton Southeastern Royals (Indiana) have been a force in single-match contests all season. Last weekend, they showed they can be dominant in tournaments, too.

HSE ran its incredible win streak to 57 matches dating to the second game of the 2022 season by going 4-0 and winning the Crown Point Invitational. That title capped a 6-0 record for the week and kept the Royals on track for a real shot at a national championship.

The defending Class 4A state champs defeated Elkhart, Hammond Bishop Noll, Homestead of Fort Wayne, and Zionsville (24-3) all by 2-0 scores to win the championship.

New to the poll are Dike-New Hartford (Dike, Iowa), Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio), and Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colorado).

The SBLive Power 25 national high school volleyball rankings include teams affiliated with state high school athletic associations in the state they compete in or those allowed to play affiliate high schools in their home state and beyond.

The rankings will be released weekly throughout the 2023 volleyball season. Find the complete breakdown of the SBLive Power 25 below.

The Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive freelancer Jeff Gardenour based on research and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the nation. Reach Jeff on Twitter @JMarkG1962 or email him at jgardenour1962@gmail.com.

SBLIVE POWER 25 NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

1. Hamilton Southeastern

(Fishers, Indiana) (23-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals last week continued their march toward an unbeaten season with six more victories. They confirmed their number one ranking with a resounding 3-0 victory against host and fellow Indiana power Roncalli (18-3), swept Zionsville in a regular-season contest, and then went 4-0 to win the Crown Point Invitational.

Leading HSE this season are outside hitters Lauren Harden, Lindsey Mangelson, and Sophie Ledbetter, middle hitters Breonna Goss and Tiffany Snook, and setters Ava Hunter and Macy Hinshaw.

2. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (30-2)

Last week: 8

The Monarchs are making a late-season run for a national title after going 7-0 and winning the prestigious 64-team Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas last week. Isabel Clark had 14 kills, Layli Ostovar had eight kills and 12 digs, Emma Kingston had four blocks, Cymarah Gordon and Sofia Walker had three blocks each, Malyssa Cawa had 16 digs, and Julia Kakkis had 11 digs and 34 assists in the 2-1 championship win against Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.).

3. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (23-2)

Last week: 2

The Mustangs last week won two Bay League matches and then went 6-1 and finished as runner-up in the Durango Fall Classic. They take on Redondo Union on Tuesday, and Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates on Thursday.

4. Grand Oaks

(Spring, Texas) (35-1)

Last week: 4

The Grizzlies last week extended their win streak to eight with a 3-0 victory against Cleveland (Texas). They play College Park and Caney Creek of Conroe this week.

5. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (28-0)

Last week: 5

The defending WIAA Division 1 state champs began the week with a 3-0 victory against Brookfield Central and then went 7-0 to win the West Bend Sprawl, a 24-team invitational. The Holy Angels are led by senior outside hitter/rightside hitter Sophia Wendlick, sophomore middle blocker Maddie Brown, junior Libero Olivia Durst, junior setter Jordan Czajkowski, and junior outside hitter/rightside hitter Madison Quest.

6. Papillion La Visa South

(Papillion, Nebraska) (25-0)

Last week: 6

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans last week made another statement by winning their Allison Weston Invite. Ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin, the Titans went 5-0 and defeated Lincoln East 25-16, 25-17, in the final. It was Papio South’s third invitational championship this season. South Dakota commit/senior outside hitter Lauren Medeck, junior setter/right-side hitter Charlee Solomon, freshman middle hitter Lyric Judson and freshman outside hitter Kam Bails lead the team.

7. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (20-3)

Last week: 7

The defending national champion Dons went 6-1 on the week, including a 5-1 record and third-place finish in the Durango Fall Classic. The Dons fell to Mira Costa in the semifinals. Last year, the Dons won the California State Open Division title and finished unbeaten (42-0).

8. Cornerstone Christian

(San Antonio, Texas) (28-3)

Last week: 3

The Warriors, who play an independent schedule, started the week with a 3-1 victory against Alexander of Laredo and then went 5-2 and finished sixth in the Durango Fall Classic. They had won 18 straight matches before falling to California power Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth in a first-round match of the Championship division. Cornerstone bounced back to beat Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 2-1, in a consolation match and then fell to Texas power Prestonwood Christian of Plano, 2-1, in the fifth-place match.

9. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (20-3)

Last week: 9

The Rockets last week finished 4-2 and tied for seventh place in the Durango Fall Classic. They lost to Mater Dei and Cornerstone Christian by identical 2-1 scores on the final day.

10. Notre Dame Academy

(Park Hills, Kentucky) (18-1)

Last week: 10

The Pandas last week went 3-0, sweeping Holy Cross of Covington and Dixie Heights of Edgewood, before clawing past St. Henry of Erlanger, 3-1. They play in the Asics Challenge in Chicago this weekend.

11. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (17-0)

Last week: 20

The three-time defending Class 4A state champ Trojans ripped off six more victories, all sweeps, to remain undefeated. Senior outside hitters Olivia Swenson and Avery Jesewitz, senior setter Stella Swenson, junior middle hitter Katie Kelzenburg, and junior outside hitter Katie Kelzenberg lead the way.

12. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (21-1)

Last week: 11

The Broncos last week stretched their win streak to 11 with a 3-1 victory against Prosper and a 3-0 sweep of Little Elm. The Broncos are led by junior outside hitter/Libero Ale Romo, junior middle hitter Sasha Purdin, sophomore middle hitter Keira Bose, senior Libero/defensive specialist Kali Vanderhoof, and senior setter Carson Eickenloff.

13. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (34-1)

Last week: 13

The defending Class 7A state runner-up last week fell for the first time, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12, to Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.) in the championship match of the HeffStrong Tournament in Spain Park. Bob Jones came in ranked No. 1 in Class 7A, and Mountain Brook, No. 1 in Class 6A. Senior Libero/defensive specialist Meg Jarrett recorded a whopping 142 digs, nine aces and 31 assists, and junior setter Riley Lovell had 165 assists, 47 digs, 11 kills and 10 aces in the event for Bob Jones.

14. Flint Hill

(Oakton, Virgina) (13-2)

Last week: 14

Just days after going 5-0 to win the Endless Summer High School Volleyball Tournament in Virginia Beach, the defending Division I Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state champs swept Bullis (Potomac, Md.) and Battlefield of Haymarket by 3-0 scores. The Huskies have won 12 straight.

15. Northville

(Northville, Michigan) (23-1)

Last week: 17

The defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state runner-up last week defeated a strong Brighton team, 3-1. Brighton (28-4) also is playing well.

16. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, New Jersey) (9-0)

Last week: 19

The top-ranked team in New Jersey last year continues to roll, recording 2-0 sweeps against Paramus High School, Paramus Catholic, NV-Old Tappan, and Ramapo of Franklin Lakes to remain unbeaten. The Blue Eagles won the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state championship in 2022.

17. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (24-4)

Last week: 23

The Lions last week went 8-1, including a 6-1 record and fifth-place finish in the Durango Fall Classic. Their only loss came to Cathedral Catholic, 2-0, in a first-round match of the Championship Division. The Lions bounced back to win two matches in the consolation bracket. Last year, PCA went 40-1, winning the TAPPS Class 6A state title.

18. Punahou

(Honolulu, Hawaii) (23-1)

Last week: 22

The longtime Hawaiian power last week extended its win streak to 19 matches by beating Le Jardin Academy of Kailua, and Maryknoll and ‘Iolani of Honolulu. Leading the Buff n’ Blue are senior outside hitter Lulu Uluave, sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Kealoha Cox, senior setter Rella Binney, junior defensive specialist Cali-Jo Shigemasa, senior Libero Reese Teves, and senior outside hitter Haumea Marumoto.

19. Dripping Springs

(Dripping Springs, Texas) (37-3)

Last week: 12

The Tigers last week had their eight-game winning streak snapped at the hands of Lake Travis of Austin, 3-1. They bounced back to beat Bowie of Austin, 3-0. Lake Travis (35-4) also is enjoying a fine season.

20. Mother McAuley

(Chicago, Illinois) (14-2)

Last week: 15

The defending Class 4A state champ Mighty Macs last week went 1-1 on a Chicago trip, beating Saint Ignatius College Prep, 2-0, and then falling to powerful Marist, 2-1.

21. Pope

(Marietta, Georgia) (26-3)

Last week: 18

The defending Class 6A state champ Greyhounds last week swept Lassiter, 3-0, but then fell to Alpharetta, 3-0. They are scheduled to play a tournament this weekend.

22. Dike-New Hartford

(Dike, Iowa) (27-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Wolverines went 29-3 and finished as Class 2A state runner-up last season and look poised to better those accomplishments in 2023.

23. Lake Catholic

(Mentor, Ohio) (17-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Cougars tore off three more sweeps to remain unbeaten, defeating Padua Franciscan of Parma, Beaumont School of Cleveland Heights, and Kirtland. They have recorded 16 consecutive sweeps heading into the last week of September. The Cougars last year won the OHSAA Division III state championship.

24. Valor Christian

(Highlands, Ranch, Colorado) 11-0

Last week: Unranked

The Eagles are flying high this season, recording 10 sweeps already. They take on Regis Jesuit of Aurora, and Arvada West this week. Last year, the Eagles soared to a 29-0 record and the Class 5A state championship.

25. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (19-2)

Last week: 24

The Patriots last week pushed their win streak to 11 with sweeps of Academy of the Holy Names of Tampa, Sunlake (Land O’Lakes) and Wharton (Tampa) before falling to 16-time state champ Berkeley Prep of Tampa, 2-0. Leading CDS are 6-foot-1 freshman outside hitter Lydia Chinchar, senior setter Naomi Chinchar, junior Libero Mattea Casale, and 6-2 junior middle blocker/outside hitter Sarah Dibbs-frantz.

Honorable Mention

Plano West (Plano, Texas)

St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Puyallup (Wash.)

Marian (Marian, Michigan)

St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kansas)

Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri)

Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida)

Oconomowoc (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin)

O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)

Bellmont (Decatur, Indiana)

Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California)

Pace Academy (Atlanta, Georgia)

Corona del Sol (Tempe, Arizonza)

Mountain View (Birmingham, Alabama)

Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kansas)

Hudsonville (Hudsonville, Michigan)

Marist (Chicago, Illinois)

Dropped out: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California), St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kansas), Saint Francis (Mountain View, California).