High school volleyball rankings: Seven new teams enter MaxPreps Top 25 as Cathedral Catholic, Marian remain at the top

By Aaron Williams Sep 27, 2022, 8:00am

Michigan's Skyline checks in highest on the list among the newcomers at No. 18.

Seven new teams entered the MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings this week but the top four squads remained unchanged as Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Fayetteville (Ark.) and McCutcheon (Lafayette, Ind.) all held serve.

No. 18 Skyline (Ann Arbor, Mich.) is the highest ranked among the newcomers at 21-3 and led by state Miss Volleyball finalist Harper Murray, the top ranked senior by Prep Dig.

Elsewhere, Mother McAuley (Chicago) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after a two-set loss to Marist (Chicago) and dropped from No. 5 to 11th. The Mighty Macs, however, get a chance to rebound with a match against No. 9 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.).

Outside of league play and post-Durango play, the Nike TOC in Phoenix is the next — and last — big national tournament of the year. With heavyweights like Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Marymount (Los Angeles) and Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), this weekend is a great chance for teams to raise their status or justify their ranking.
A challenging schedule featuring opponents from four different states helped 'Iolani crack this week's rankings at No. 21.
A challenging schedule featuring opponents from four different states helped 'Iolani crack this week's rankings at No. 21.
File Photo: Jann Hendry
MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball rankings



1. (Last week No. 1) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 26-0
Recap:
The Dons haven't dropped a set all season. They have three league matches before participating in the GEICO High School Invitational on Oct. 7-8.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Scripps Ranch, Oct. 4 vs. Patrick Henry

2. (2) Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 26-0
Recap:
The Mustangs took four matches last week, dropping one set as Michigan Miss Volleyball finalists Ava Sarafa and Ella Schomer fuel the offense.
Outlook: Sept. 28 vs. Mercy

3. (3) Fayetteville (Ark.), 21-1
Recap:
The Bulldogs didn't have a post-Durango letdown, straight-setting both Har-Ber, who they beat last season for the 6A title, as well as Rogers Heritage. Stanford beach volleyball commit Brooke Rockwell surpassed 1,000 career kills.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Bentonville, Sept. 29 vs. Northside

4. (4) McCutcheon (Lafayette, Ind.), 21-1
Recap:
The Mavericks have lost four sets all year (the lone loss was a two-set defeat to No. 10 Yorktown) as Purdue commits Chloe Chicoine and Allie Shondell lead the charge.
Outlook: Sept. 27 at Avon, Sept. 29 at Benton Central

5. (6) Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), 15-2
Recap:
The Mustangs have been pretty low-key since a season-opening title at the Ann Kang Invitational. A meeting with Redondo and then a trip to the Nike TOC in Phoenix will go a long way for them earning a top five rank.
Outlook: Sept. 27 at Redondo Union, Sept. 28 vs. Peninsula, Nike TOC

6. (7) Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), 45-2
Recap:
After a torrid start, the Warriors' schedule has slowed, but like Mira Costa an impressive showing at Nike TOC will go a long way to staying in the top 10.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Davenport, Nike TOC



7. (8) Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 19-1
Recap:
The Royals have been on a roll since a season-opening loss to McCutcheon. Last week, they blitzed through Roncalli, Zionsville, Pendleton Heights and a pesky Brebuef squad.
Outlook: Sept. 28 vs. Hamilton Heights, Sept. 29 vs. Noblesville

8. (9) Tompkins (Katy, Texas), 27-3
Recap:
Senior Tendai Titley had a pair of 12-kill performances in wins over Jordan and Paetow. Presley Powell and Erica Dellesky each posted 30 assists in the two match victories.
Outlook: Sept. 27 at Katy, Sept. 30 vs. Cinco Ranch

9. (10) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 21-4
Recap:
Charlotte Moriarty tallied 29 kills and 16 digs and Whitney Woodrow posted 62 assists in a five-set win over Sacred Heart. Sophomore Emma Barnett added 16 and Gabrielle Gerry nine kills while sophomore Kristen Simon had 25 digs.
Outlook: Sept. 29 at Mother McAuley, Oct. 4 at Holy Cross

10. (11) Yorktown (Ind.), 22-2
Recap:
Charlotte Vinson is approaching 300 kills on the season and has 633 in one-plus seasons with the Tigers.
Outlook: Sept. 27 at New Palestine, Sept. 29 vs. Cowan

11. (5) Mother McAuley (Chicago), 17-1
Recap:
The Mighty Macs dropped their first match of the year, losing to Marist 25-22, 25-19.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Loyola Academy, Sept. 29 vs. Assumption

12. (14) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 24-3
Recap:
University of Pittsburgh commit Olivia Babcock pounded 20 and 13 kills in respective wins over Alemany and Notre Dame Academy
Outlook: Sept. 28 vs. Marlborough, Sept. 30 vs. Harvard-Westlake



13. (15) Oconomowoc (Wis.), 30-1
Recap:
Maryland commit Lilly Wagner passed the 2,000 career assist mark as the Raccoons took the Sprawl Invite.
Outlook: Sept. 27 at Kettle Moraine, Oct. 4 vs. Waukesha North

14. (16) Marymount (Los Angelea), 19-5
Recap:
In the unenviable position of following a MaxPreps National Championship team, the Sailors have shown incredible resilience behind Torrey Stafford and Alexa Trapani. Four of the five losses are to ranked teams. Don't be surprised by a deep Nike TOC run.
Outlook: Sept. 28 vs. Harvard-Westlake, Nike TOC

15. (17) Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas), 28-1
Recap:
Sophomore Macaria Spears (328) — daughter of former Dallas Cowboy lineman Marcus Spears — and juniors Jadyn Livings (249) and Mikala Young (212) are pacing the Lions' hitting attack.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Parish Episcopal, Oct. 6 at Bishop Lynch

16. (18) Highland Park (Dallas), 30-2
Recap:
The Scots kept rolling with straight set wins over Irving and Berkner. The lone losses are both to Prestonwood Christian.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Richardson, Sept. 30 vs. MacArthur

17. (23) Buford (Ga.), 28-5
Recap:
The Wolves have four hitters with more than 100 kills, including freshman Clara Briley (169). A win last week took North Gwinnett from the unbeaten ranks.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Collins Hills, Sept. 29 vs. North Hall and West Hall

18. (NR) Skyline (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 21-3
Recap:
Michigan Miss Volleyball finalist — and top-rated player in the Class of 2023 by Prep Dig — Harper Murray leads the Eagles with 368 kills this season. Junior Caitlin O'Neill has 439 assists as the losses are to Novi, Northville and Mercy.
Outlook: Sept. 29 vs. Pioneer



19. (13) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 17-5
Recap:
After a nice showing at Durango, the Monarchs dropped a three-setter to Santa Margarita. They look to get back on track with league matches before heading to the Nike TOC.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Rosary Academy, Sept. 28 vs. JSerra Catholic, Nike TOC

20. (NR) Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 18-1
Recap:
Ava Novak was named MVP of the Wheaton Classic while freshman Lynney Tarnow and sophomore Aniya Warren made all-tourney as the Red Wings took home the prestigious title.
Outlook: Sept. 29 vs. Skutt Catholic

21. (NR) 'Iolani (Honolulu), 16-5
Recap:
Along with Punahou and Kamehameha Kapalama, the Red Raiders make up the best of the islands. It should be a dogfight for the state title. Senna Roberts-Navarro is dropping 4.5 kills per set and hitting at 41 percent while Maya Imoto-Eakin is serving up 11.3 assists per set.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Punahou

22. (NR) Cypress Ranch (Houston), 32-2
Recap:
Senior Bianna Muoneke has 541 kills this season while sophomore Taylor Porter has added 309. Kirby Kliafas has 619 assists. Losses are to No. 6 Cornerstone Christian and No. 8 Tompkins.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Langham Creek, Sept. 30 Cypress Falls

23. (NR) Nolensville (Tenn.), 33-4
Recap:
Sophomore hitter Kaira Knox (338 kills) and Maggie Rickert (297 kills) have led an offense that's taken out previously-ranked Cleveland three times in the past week.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Centennial

24. (NR) Pace Academy (Atlanta), 34-0
Recap:
Junior Grace Agolli leads a three-pronged hitting attack with 219 kills on the year while also adding a team-high 283 assists. The Knights are the state's top AAAA squad.
Outlook: Sept. 29 at Riverwood, Sept. 29 vs Chattahoochee



25. (NR) Plano West (Plano, Texas), 21-2
Recap:
The Wolves have reeled off 19 straight wins after losing in their third and fourth contests of the season. Blaire Bayless is hitting 4.3 kills per set while sophomore Sophia Wei and senior Darci Pickel share setting duties. Libero Brooke Bowers leads the Wolves in digs and receives.
Outlook: Sept. 27 vs. Hebron, Sept. 30 vs. Flower Mound

On the bubble: Sequoyah (Canton, Ga.), 25-5; Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 34-5; Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), 28-2; St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.), 14-1; St. Pius X Catholic (Atlanta), 28-6; Westminster Christian (Miami), 12-0; Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu), 23-5-1; Punahou (Honolulu), 22-6; Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), 14-0; Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 17-7