SBLive Top 25 national high school girls volleyball rankings (11/14/2023)

No. 4 Wayzata (Minn.), No. 6 Prestonwood Christian (Texas), No. 13 Mother McAuley (Illinois) win state championships

Volleyball teams across the country battled furiously last week as state tournaments rolled on or came to a close.

In Texas, Grand Oaks (Spring) won the 2023 UIL Texas Volleyball Class 6A regional title and will play for a state title this weekend. And, powerhouse Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano) repeated as TAPPS Class 6A state champion.

In Illinois, Mother McAuley (Chicago) repeated as Class 4A state champ, winning its 17th state title.

California titles appear to be wide open now as powerful Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) fell by the wayside, but Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and defending national champion Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) carried on with the wins.

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, Ind.) (33-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals earlier this month repeated as Class 4A state champion with a 25-18, 24-26, 25-20, 25-15 victory against Castle (34-4).

2. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (41-2)

Last week: 2

The Monarchs last week swept Los Alamitos, 3-0, and battled past Huntington Beach, 3-2, in the CIF State Southern Regionals. Mater Dei advanced to the CIF State Regionals on Tuesday, Nov. 14, when it will take on defending state and national champion Cathedral Catholic. The Monarchs have won 22 consecutive matches.

3. Grand Oaks

(Spring, Texas) (48-1)

Last week: 3

The Grizzlies last week beat Bridgeland (Cypress), 3-0; Sachse, 3-1; and Tomball Memorial, 3-0, to win the 2023 UIL Texas Volleyball Class 6A regional title. They advanced to play Prosper on Friday, Nov. 17, in the state semifinals. The winner plays either Harlan or Cinco Ranch for the championship on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

4. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (34-0)

Last week: 4

The Trojans last week swept Edina, Anoka, and New Prague by 3-0 scores to win their fourth consecutive MSHSL Class AAAA state championship at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. Wayzata is only the second team in Minnesota history to win four straight championships. Senior outside hitter Olivia Swenson and junior middle hitter Katie Kelzenburg led the way in the title match with 14 and 10 kills, respectively. The duo joined senior setter Stella Swenson and senior Libero Bianca Nistor on the All-Tournament Team.

5. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (47-1)

Last week: 5

DSHA earlier this month swept River Falls and Hamilton by 3-0 scores and then battled past Oconomowoc (41-4) in five sets to repeat as WIAA Division 1 state champs.

6. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (36-4)

Last week: 7

The Lion beat Concordia Lutheran (Tomball) and Antonian Prep (San Antonio) to repeat as TAPPS Class 6A state champion. They finished the season with a 14-match win streak. Junior outside hitter Macaria Spears, a Texas commit, and senior middle blocker Kennedy Washington led the way in the title match.

7. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (34-4)

Last week: 8

The defending national champion Dons last week beat Marymount (Los Angeles), 3-0, and Mira Costa, 3-1, in the CIF State playoffs. They take on Mater Dei next on Nov. 14. The Dons are led by senior middle blocker Jenna Hanes, junior Libero Maya Evens, senior opposite/outside hitter Ayva Moi, and senior setter Amanda Saeger.

8. Pace Academy

(Atlanta, Georgia) (37-3)

Last week: 9

The Knights earlier this month repeated as Class 4A state champ with a 3-2 victory against Lovett (Atlanta) in a rematch of last year’s final. Pace finished the season with an 18-match win streak.

9. Alpharetta

(Alpharetta, Georgia) (38-3)

Last week: 10

The Raiders peaked at the end by winning five straight, including a victory against Pope, to capture their second state title, first since 2020.

10. Dike-New Hartford

(Dike, Iowa) (50-0)

Last week: 11

The Wolverines earlier this month completed a perfect season by beating Hinton, 25-14, 25-23, 25-16 in the Class 2A state championship game at Xtream Arena in Coralville. It was the team’s third title in four years, and 16thoverall.

11. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (39-4)

Last week: 6

The Mustangs last week beat Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 3-1, and then lost to defending national champion Cathedral Catholic, 3-1, in the second round of the 2023 CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships. Audrey Flanagan, Taylor Deckert and Simone Rolson led the Mustangs against Cathedral.

12. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (36-5)

Last week: 13

The Rockets earlier this month beat Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills), 25-19, 24-26, 25-11, 25-20, to win the KHSAA volleyball state championship – their 23rd state title.

13. Mother McAuley

(Chicago, Illinois) (37-5)

Last week: 19

The Mighty Macs last week beat Barrington, 2-0, and Benet Academy, 2-1, to repeat as IHSA Class 4A state champ. It was the 17th state title for the powerhouse program.

Leading the Macs were senior outside hitter Ellie White, a Michigan commit, who had 18 kills and eight digs; and freshman setter Peyton Heatherly, 32 assists and 13 digs.

14. Archbishop Mitty

(San Jose, California) (32-4)

Last week: 14

The Monarchs last week beat Redwood (Larkspur), 3-0, and Branson (Ross), 3-1, in the CIF State playoffs. They take on defending CIF Open Division runner-up Saint Francis (Mountain View) on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

15. Flint Hill

(Oakton, Virginia) (33-3)

Last week: 17

The Huskies last week repeated as Division I Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state champ by beating Saint Gertrude (Richmond) and Collegiate (Richmond) by 3-0 scores and Bishop O’Connell (Arlington), 3-1. Leading Flint Hill in the final were junior setter/outside hitter Isabelle Bardin, 18 kills, 14 digs and 20 assists; senior outside hitter Mickhaila Murray, 18 kills and 18 digs; senior middle blocker Ryla Jones, 14 kills; sophomore defensive specialist/Libero Evie Huang, 27 digs; junior defensive specialist/Libero Kadi Pynchon, 11 digs; and senior setter Natalie Nguyen, 34 assists. Earlier this month, the Huskies won the Independent School League Division AA tournament.

16. Northville

(Northville, Michigan) (47-2)

Last week: 15

The defending state runner-up Mustangs last week battled past Bedford (Temperance), 3-2, and Saline, 3-1, to win the Division 1 regional championship. They take on Portage Northern next on Nov. 14 in the 2023 Michigan High School Girls Volleyball state quarterfinals.

17. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, N.J.) (29-1)

Last week: 18

The Blue Eagles last week repeated as NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state champ by beating Union Catholic (Scotch Plains), 2-0, and Paul VI (Haddonfield), 2-1, at Franklin Township. It marked the third straight year that IHA and Paul VI met in the Non-Public A final. It is the 17th state title for the Washington Township parochial school. The Blue Eagles are an impressive 56-2 dating to the 2021 state final. Leading Immaculate in this year’s final were junior opposite/outside hitter Julia Sobilo, who had 10 kills; and senior setter Kalena Stavish, 28 assists, 13 digs and five aces.

18. Benet Academy

(Lisle, Illinois) (39-3)

Last week: 16

The Redwings last week ousted Willowbrook, 3-1, but then fell to powerful Mother McAuley, 2-1, in the IHSA Class 4A state championship game at CEFCU Arena in Normal. It was the second straight year the teams met for the title. Leading the Redwings were junior Libero/outside hitter Aniya Warren, who had 22 digs; sophomore setter Ellie Stiernagle, 36 assists; sophomore middle hitter Lynney Tarnow, 13 kills; and junior middle hitter Gabby Stasys, five kills.

19. Lake Catholic

(Mentor, Ohio) (29-0)

Last week: 20

The Cougars last week repeated as OHSAA Division III state champs by sweeping St. Henry and Archbishop Nicholas (Cincinnati) by 3-0 scores at Wright State University. Lake Catholic recorded 26 sweeps this season. Leading the Cougars in the final were senior outside hitter Katie Sowko, who had 21 kills, 17 digs and two aces; junior Libero/defensive specialist Julia Oster, 17 digs and three aces; junior middle hitter Ava Budrys Rini, eight kills; junior Natalie Bergant, eight kills; and senior outside hitter Claire Duricky, six kills.

20. Valor Christian

(Highlands, Ranch, Colorado) 25-0

Last week: 22

The Eagles last week repeated as 5A state champion by beating Grandview (Aurora), 3-1; Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch), 3-0; and Legend (Parker) and Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) by 3-2 scores. They extended their win streak to a whopping 58 matches and became only the sixth Colorado team to win consecutive Class 5A titles. Leading Valor were senior outside hitter/Libero Delaney Russell, and senior middle blocker/opposite Grace Langer, who both recorded double-digit kills.

21. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (31-2)

Last week: 21

The Patriots last week won the Class 3A state championship by beating Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) and Westminster Christian (Miami) by 3-1 scores. They finished the season with a 14-match win streak. Leading CDS in the final were freshman outside hitter Lydia Chinchar, 37 kills, six blocks and 13 digs; junior middle blocker/outside hitter Sarah Dibbs-frantz, 10 kills and eight blocks; junior Libero/defensive specialist Soraia Bradshaw, four assists; senior setter Naomi Chinchar, 17 digs and 44 assists; junior Libero Mattea Casale, 16 digs; senior outside hitter Lilly Brown, 13 digs; and freshman Libero Olivia Badyna, 10 digs.

22. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (54-3)

Last week: 23

The Patriots earlier this month finished as Class 7A state runner-up to McGill-Toolen (Mobile), 3-1.

23. Papillion-La Vista South

(Papillion, Nebraska) (35-2)

Last week: 24

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans earlier this month were stunned by rival Papillion-La Vista in an early-round playoff match. In finishing its season early, Papio South advanced to the state playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

24. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (31-2)

Last week: 25

The Class 6A-Region 1, District 5 champ Broncos earlier this month stretched their win streak to 21 with a victory against Hebron in the first round of the playoffs and then were stunned by Lake Highlands (Dallas) to close the season.

25. Hudsonville

(Hudsonville, Michigan) (45-3)

Last week: 12

The Eagles ended their season with a 3-1 loss to Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids) in a Division 1 regional semifinal match. Hudsonville senior outside hitter Isabelle Swiercz broke the all-time kills school record with 1,392.

Honorable Mention

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

Puyallup (Puyallup, Washington)

Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri)

Oconomowoc (Oconmowoc, Wisconsin)

O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)

Bellmont (Decatur, Indiana)

Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)

Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kansas)

Marist (Chicago, Illinois)

Kamehameha Kapalama (Kea’au, Hawaii)

Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas)

Dropped out: Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Kentucky), Pope (Marietta, Georgia), St. Francis (Mountain View, California).