Durango Classic creates many changes in rankings; Mater Dei remains No. 1; Oregon team runs win streak to 79.
Video: Xcellent 25 Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard: Sept 7th
Christopher Stonebraker breaks down the movement in the Xcellent 25 Girls Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
Despite its absence from the 71-team Durango Classic in Las Vegas last weekend, Mater Dei remains atop this week's MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), which lost to Mater Dei earlier in the season, captured the Durango event and jumped from No. 12 to No. 4. Eight teams ranked a week ago in the Xcellent 25 competed in the Durango and four are still rated. Four dropped out.
Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas) moved up one spot to No. 2 and Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.) jumped from No. 6 to No. 3.
Rounding out the Top 5 is Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 31-0.
The biggest mover of the week was Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) vaulting from the unranked to No. 10. Opening the season with 69 straight victories over two seasons, the Crusaders were a question mark due to heavy graduation losses. However, after a 10-0 start, the Top 10 is where they belong.
Also new to Top 25 this week are Arizona rivals Xavier (Phoenix) and Corona Del Sol (Tempe) and Santa Margarita (Calif.), Penfield (N.Y.), and Midway (Waco, Tex.).
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
1. (1 last week) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 11-0 The Monarchs got an average of 10 kills per set from senior
Shannon Scully and sophomore
Nat Berty to beat San Juan Hills to win the Mohs Invite. The schedule is tough from here on out with the likes Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Mira Costa (Huntington Beach, Calif.) in the next 10 days.
2. (3) Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas), 32-0The War Eagles won three matches as junior setter
Carly Graham recorded 39 assists and 14 digs.
3. (6) Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.), 9-0The Hornets have won 27 sets while losing three.
4. (12) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 12-1Mitty won the 71-team (from 11 states) Durango Volleyball Classic in Las Vegas.
Candice Denny was named tournament MVP and three teammates –
Julia Devine,
Kamrin Caoili and
MaKaela Tanaka – were named All-Tournament.
Archbishop Mitty moved up eight spots after an impressive showing at the Durango Classic.
Photo by Jann Hendry
The Red Raiders have lost just one set this season and that was nearly a month ago.
6. (7) Blue Valley West (Stilwell, Kan.), 18-0 The reigning state large school champions won their second major tournament this season by sweeping (6-0) the Maize invitational last weekend.
7. (10) Geneva (Ill.), 13-0Mikayla Lanasa is averaging 9.3 assists per sets as Geneva has yet to lose a set this season.
8. (23) Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.), 15-0The Pumas own a win over Xavier (Phoenix).
9. (13) Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio), 11-0The Cougars have lost just one set this season.
10. (NR) Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), 10-0Despite losing a lot to graduation, the Crusaders have extended their win streak to 79 in a row. In the last three seasons, they have won 197 sets while losing just five. They've yet to lose a set this season. Yes, Jesuit is back and fully reloaded.
11. (19) Eagan (Minn.), 10-0The Wildcats blitzed Apple Valley, 3-0 (25-2, 25-8, 25-5) and Eastview, 3-0 (75-42).
12. (20) Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 21-0Caroline Plexico is averaging 10.3 assists per set as the Cavaliers continue to role. They've not lost a set in their last 10 wins.
13. (9) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 20-3The Rockets captured the Bronze Division title at the Durango Classic in Las Vegas winning five of six matches.
14. (8) Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.), 17-3The Valkryries finished fourth at the Durango Classic in Las Vegas.
Paige Hammons and
Lauryn Bennett were named All-Tournament.
15. (NR) Xavier College Prep (Phoenix), 10-2The Gators have lost only to No. 4 Mitty (in the finals of the Durango Classic) and No. 8 Perry. In placing second at Durango,
Shannon Shields,
Makena Patterson and
Lanie Wagner were named All-Tournament.
16. (NR) Midway (Waco, Texas), 26-2The Panthers have lost just three sets in their 20-match win streak.
17. (NR) Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), 15-1Winners of 15 straight, the Aztecs defeated previously unbeaten and No. 4 ranked Hamilton to win the Westwood Classic.
18. (21) Lakeville South (Minn.), 10-0The Cougars opened league play with 3-0 wins over Apple Valley and Burnsville. Up next: Always tough Prior Lake (9-3).
19. (25) Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 26-2The Raiders lost just once in placing third at the Durango Classic in Las Vegas.
20. (NR) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 10-3In finishing third at the Durango Classic, the Eagles bumped off former Top 10 teams Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ken.) and Fayetteville (Ark.) and lost only to tournament champion Mitty.
21. (22) Yorktown (Ind.), 17-1 Since losing, the Tigers have won seven straight.
22. (4) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 14-1The Huskies had their 14-match win streak snapped by 15-1 Corona Del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) in the finals of Westwood Tournament.
23. (NR) Penfield (N.Y.), 18-0The Patriots swept the Baldwinsville Tournament, winning all 14 sets they played. They are averaging better than four aces per set.
24. (24) St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis), 15-2Led by setter
Gabby Blossom, St. Joe captured captured the 15th annual St. Joseph's Academy Tournament of Champions on Saturday.
25. (11) Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Ill.), 18-1The Hurricanes saw their win streak end at 20 in losing to 10-2 St. Charles East (St. Charles, Ill.), but bounced back with a pair of wins.
Dropped out: Fayetteville (Ark.), Redondo Union (Calif.), Flintridge Sacred Heart (Calif.), Torrey Pines (Calif.), Mother McAuley (Ill.), Boyd (Tex.),
