2019 MaxPreps preseason Top 25 national high school volleyball rankings

Kaylee Cox | Jr. | OH | 524 kills, 599 digs
Angelique Cyr | Jr. | OH | 450 kills
Sarah Martinez | Sr. | L | 835 digs
Abby Butler, Emily Merrick, Reagan Hooper

Key returners
Mia Tuaniga | Sr. | S | 660 assists, 269 kills, 57 aces, 48 blocks, 266 digs
Meg Brown | Sr. | MB | 215 kills, 81 blocks
Reagan Merk | Sr. | OH | 150 kills, 254 digs
Lauren Tarnoff | Sr. | MH, OPP| 150 kills, 254 digs
Key losses
Natalie Berty, Kristina Pepek, Brielle Millally, Mandalay Rennon
Outlook: All-American Tuaniga returns for the Monarchs, as does Brown, which helps offset heavy graduation losses of Berty and Pepek. Tarnoff sat out last season with a knee injury after transferring from Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), but should be a solid addition for her senior year. Vanessa Zolg also adds depth to the Mater Dei lineup.

3. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 43-0, No. 1
Key returners
Rylee Rader | Sr. | MH | 415 kill, .553 hitting percentage
Anna DeBeer | Sr. | OH | 320 kills, 217 digs
Jenny Wessling | Jr. | DS | 84 digs
Savannah Neal | Sr. | S | 172 assists
Key losses
Camille Nazor, Karly Basham, Callie Martin
Outlook: The defending MaxPreps National Champions must find a way to replace Nazor, Basham and Martin, but All-Americans Rader, an Ohio State commit, and DeBeer, a Louisville commit, give coach Ron Kordes help to lessen that sting. When you've won 21 state titles, including seven of the past nine, reloading is the path over rebuilding. The Rockets carry at 59-match win streak into the 2019 season.

4. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 28-8, No. 40
Key returners
Madi Endsley | Sr. | OH | 491 kills, 60 blocks, 157 digs
Lindsey Miller | Sr. | MB | 70 blocks, 172 kills
Kylie Adams | Sr. | S | 589 assists, 72 digs
Teresa Atilano | Sr. | S | 327 assists
Key losses
Peyton Whilhite, Karenna Wurl
Outlook: The CIF state Open Division quarterfinalist returns Washington commit Endsley and Notre Dame pledge Miller with the setting duo of Adams and Atilano. Rising junior McKenna Branson (124 kills) adds another hitter to the Dons' lineup and rising sophomore Anna Pringle provides depth for the team in a crowded SoCal field.

5. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 35-4
Key returners
Kami Miner | Sr. | S | 330 kills, 291 digs, 554 assists
Nalani Iosia | Sr. | L | 473 digs, 201 assists
Jody Smith | Sr. | MB |
Ava Kirunchyk | Jr. | OH |
Key losses
Emily Mitter, Jasmine Davis
Outlook: Three of the four losses in 2018 were to Assumption and Mater Dei, twice including the CIF Southern California Open Division playoffs. All-Americans Miner and Iosia, a Texas commit, will be able to get the ball to Gonzaga-bound Smith, Kirunchyk and Jesse Szymanski (UC Irvine).



6. Ridge Point (Missouri City, Texas), 47-6, No. 32
Key returners
Reagan Rutherford | Sr. | S | 832 assists, 477 digs, 382 kills, 105 blocks
Claire Jeter | Sr. | MB | 490 kills, 167 blocks, 54 aces
Kendall Sekula | Sr. | S | 979 assists, 302 digs
Nia McCardell | Sr. | DS | 906 digs, 38 aces
Key losses
Skylar Fields
Outlook: The Texas 6A runners-up lean on the veteran leadership of Kentucky-bound Rutherford, who did a did of everything for the Panthers. They have depth in senior hitter Randee Hennings, who posted 206 kills last year, Lindsey Ogle with 200 kills and junior hitter Tiana Davis' 150 kills.

7. Green Hope (Cary, N.C.), 28-1, No. 13
Key returners
Sydney Dowler | Sr. | S | 862 assists, 139 digs, 121 kills
Grace Patrick | Sr. | OH | 242 kills, 94 digs, 40 aces
Annie Elvin | Jr. | OH | 228 kills, 200 digs, 31 aces
Alexis Engelbrecht | Sr. | MB | 186 kills, 67 blocks
Key losses
Erin McIndoe
Outlook: The Falcons won the Tar Heel State's 4A title without having a single senior lead any statistical category. With All-American setter Dowler back for her senior campaign that could spell repeat success as more than 900 kills return to the floor.

8. Plano West (Plano, Texas), 7-0; 40-10
Key returners
Iman Ndiaye | Year | OH/OPP | 51 kills in 15 sets in 2019
Jill Pressly | Year | OH | 68 kills and 52 digs in 16 sets in 2019
Key losses
None
Outlook: The Wolves are off to a hot start, taking the Nike ASC/LISD Classic over the weekend without dropping a set. UCLA commit Ndiaye was tournament MVP, Pressly the tourney offensive MVP, Le the top setter and Brentwood, Tenn., transfer Morgan Carter the defensive MVP. Plano West, second in the 6A coach's preseason poll has five Division I commits.

9. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), 1-1; 42-2, No. 41
Key returners
Paige Flickinger | Sr. | OH | 515 kills, 574 digs
Charitie Luper | Jr. | OH | 464 kills, 456 digs
Payton Chamberlain | Jr. | S | 727 assists
Skyler McKinnon | Sr. | OH | 269 kills
Key losses
Kelli McKinnon, Meredith Fusselman
Outlook: The Bobcats opened the season nearly becoming the first Texas team to win the Ann Kang Tournament in Hawaii, falling to Redondo Union in the finals. Returning All-American Flickinger and All-State hitter Luper will be the go-to hitters with Chamberlain, second in assists last year, getting them the ball. Giselle Santini was third in digs last season as a junior.

10. New Castle (Ind.), 35-5
Key returners
Melanie Shaffmaster | Sr. | S | 1,028 assists, 243 kills, 210 digs, 60 blocks, 43 aces
Mabrey Shaffmaster | Jr. | OH | 642 kills, 268 digs, 131 aces, 41 blocks
Zoe Conway | Sr. | L/DS | 351 digs
Laila Smith | Jr. | MH | 180 kills
Key losses
Ashley Wilkinson
Outlook: The All-American Shaffmaster sisters are back to lead the Trojans. North Carolina commit Mabrey Shaffmaster led in kills, while older sister and Minnesota pledge Melanie posted more than 1,000 assists for a team that didn't have a senior lead a key statistical category. Future Ball State libero Conway teams with rising junior Bailey Cox to start the New Castle offense with a combined 1,100 serve receives and 600 digs.

11. Marymount (Los Angeles), 33-10
Key returners
Elia Rubin | So. | OH | 319 kills, 286 digs
Amara Aimufua | Sr. | OH/OPP | 241 kills
Marisse Turner | Sr. | MB | 195 kills
Kerry Keefe | So. | MB/OPP | 140 kills
Outlook: The future looks bright for the Sailors after falling in five sets to Mater Dei in the 2018 SoCal Open Division final. Marymount has rising juniors Keefe and 2018 All-American Rubin back, teaming with senior hitters Aimufua and Turner. Marymount lost some power with Frohling and All-American Newberry graduated, but Caroline Altergott is a rising junior with 101 kills and 134 digs last season.



12. Sterling (Ill.), 41-1, No. 8
Key returners
Lexi Rodriguez | Jr. | L | 656 digs, 135 assists, 30 aces
Brooklyn Borum | Jr. | OH | 472 kills, 243 digs, 33 aces
Bree Borum | Jr. | OPP/S | 581 assists, 287 kills, 226 digs, 34 blocks, 35 aces
Grace Gould | Sr. | MH/OPP | 161 digs, 101 kills
Key losses
Josilyn Borum
Outlook: The 3A defending champion Golden Warriors return rising junior All-Americans in Rodriguez and the Borum sisters. Rodriguez was recently named to the USA Girls National Team U18 team and will compete in Egypt from Sept. 5-14. Sterling blitzed through last season's 3A bracket without dropping a set and lose only Josilyn Borum, set to play basketball and volleyball collegiately at Chicago State.

13. Torrey Pines (San Diego), 33-4, No. 42
Key returners
Carly Diehl | Sr. | S | 550 assists, 106 digs
Delaynie Maple | Sr. | OH | 270 kills, 234 digs
Maya Satchel | Sr. | OH/OPP | 254 kills
Trinity Durfee | Sr. | MB | 120 kills
Key losses
Emily Fitzner, Macall Peed

15. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.), 38-2, No. 10
Key returners
McKenna Ruch | Sr. | OH/MH | 362 kills, 75 blocks, 363 digs
Izzy Lukens | Sr. | S | 1,103 assists, 132 kills, 283 digs
Eve Fountain | Sr. | OH | 235 digs
Key losses
Paige Holdsworth, Allie Kerns, Emmy Grant
Outlook: With two Class A titles in the past three years (2017 was a runner-up finish), the Mustangs return a blend of experience and youth. The 6-foot-1 Ruch (Nebraska commit) and Lukens, an All-State choice last year, offset the loss of five seniors. Fountain and 6-foot middle hitter Molly Plahn played roles in Millard North's title run and should be factors in their senior campaigns.

16. Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.), 46-5, No. 26
Key returners
Addie VanderWeide | Jr. | OH | 532 kills, 372 digs, 38 blocks
Jordyn Gates | Sr. | S | 1,374 assists, 412 digs, 158 kills
Lauren Peal | Jr. | DS | 353 digs, 57 aces
Key losses
Maria Bos
Outlook: The Eagles don't lose much from their 2018 D2 state title team, although Bos was present in most stat categories. However, rising junior VanderWeide picks up the mantle after a 19-kill performance in last year's title match and gets help from 6-3 outside hitter Evelyn Doezema, who posted 159 kills her freshman year. Gates brings senior leadership after a near-record performance of 38 assists and 29 digs in the title win over Notre Dame. Senior middle blocker Ayva Kooistra gives the Eagles depth at the net after posting 97 blocks last season.

17. Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 30-7
Key returners
Lindsay Krause | Jr. | MH/OH | 270 kills
Shayla McCormick | Jr. | OH | 195 kills
Megan Skovsende | Sr. | OH | 159 kills, 276 digs
Allie Gray | Jr. | S | 972 assists, 148 digs
Key losses
Sydney McDermott
Outlook: Looking for their fourth straight Class B state title, the Skyhawks enter 2019 led by the 6-3 Krause, who was second in kills behind McDermott, She joins Sterling's Rodriguez and Eagan's Kennedi Orr on the USA Girls National Team U18 team. Skutt Catholic has championship pedigree with Krause and Gray playing major roles last year, while Lauren Diedrich adds defensive depth with a team-high 329 digs in 2018.

18. Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati), 1-0; 27-2, No. 9
Key returners
Logan Case | Sr. | S | 945 assists, 266 digs, 49 aces
Emma Gielas | Sr. | OH/OPP | 286 kills, 56 blocks
Hailey Green | Jr. | MH | 236 kills, 79 blocks
Key losses
Maggie Huber
Outlook: The Lions enter 2019 as reigning back-to-back large school champions with returning All-American Case leading the charge. Alongside is 6-1 hitter Gielas, 6-2 middle Green and senior libero and captain Andi Elsborck. Depth and a brutal schedule could be problematic, but veteran leadership should help Ursuline rise above.

19. 'Iolani (Honolulu), 6-2; 28-6, No. 35
Key returners
Elena Oglivie | Sr. | OH | 499 kills, 332 digs
Mokihana Tufono | So. | S | stats
Key losses
Kristen McDaniel, Grace Wee
Outlook: The Raiders fell short of their third straight Ann Kang Invitational title over the weekend after Redondo Union swept the host school. Still, the reigning Hawaii D1 champion has Stanford-bound Oglivie. She already has 78 kills on the season, while Tufono, moving to setter, dished out 138 assists on the young season. Megan Nishimura is settling into the libero role with 51 digs after the Kang Invitational.

20. Yorktown (Ind.), 34-0, No. 2
Key returners
Courtney Watkins | Sr. | OH | 250 kills
Kate Vinson | Sr. | S | 1,183 assists, 201 digs
Jaylynn Dunsmore | Jr. | MH | 172 kills, 59 blocks
Key losses
Kenzie Knuckles, Kylie Murr

21. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 40-1, No. 7
Key returners
Anna Morris | Sr. | MH | 375 kills, 230 digs, 109 blocks, 59 aces
Elizabeth Patterson | Sr. | OH | 269 digs, 191 kills, 75 aces
Olivia Coughlin | Jr. | S | 487 assists
Maeve Duffin | Sr. | S | 444 assists
Key losses
Sydney Taylor
Outlook: The Blue Eagles completed the Garden State double last year, winning the Non Public Group and Tournament of Champions state titles. It was the 12th straight Non Public title for IHA and Taylor is the lone senior loss. Morris, a MaxPreps All-American, leads with stats across the sheet and surrounded by talent, including the All-State Patterson.



22. McIntosh (Peachtree City, Ga.), 38-3
Key returners
Erykah Lovett | Jr. | OH | 402 kills, 47 aces
Ngozi Iloh | Jr. | MH | 328 kills, 50 aces, 50 blocks
Jessie Doyal | Sr. | S | 988 kills, 213 digs, 119 kills
Claire Lewis | Jr. | L | 469 digs, 46 aces
Key losses
None
Outlook: The reigning two-time 5A state titlist are young, experienced and stacked heading into 2019. The junior hitting tandem of Iloh and Lovett, the AAAAA Player of the Year, benefit from the All-State experience of Doyal. Lewis is a steadying force on defense and rising senior Reagan Corley adds another hitter to the cadre of weapons along with 6-2 sophomore Alexa Markley. 

23. Mt. Carmel (New Orleans), 42-2, No. 18
Key returners
Victoria Frught | Sr. | S | 1,277 assists, 220 digs, 36 aces
Emily Meyer | Sr. | OH. | 369 kills
Tea Jones | Sr. | MB | 167 kills, 105 blocks
Camile Denny | Sr. | OH | 371 digs, 150 kills
Key losses
Ellie Holzman
24. Logan-Rogersville (Rogersville, Mo.), 40-2, No. 23
Key returners
Birdie Hendrickson | Sr. | OH | 393 kills, 359 digs
Claire Taylor | Sr. | OH | 243 kills, 273 digs
Samantha Thompson | Jr. | S | 875 assists, 202 digs
Key losses
Gabby Massengale, Allie Gipson, Maci McHenry, Sydney Dunavant
Outlook: The reigning Class 3 champions build off their No. 23 finish with Florida-bound All-American Hendrickson leading the charge. Taylor complements Hendrickson, while Thompson directs the floor and rising junior Mckinzie Thompson aids on defense.

25. Cedar Falls (Iowa), 46-1
Key returners
Emerson Green | Sr. | OH | 389 kills, 290 digs
Alayna Yates | Sr. | MH | 294 kills, 125 blocks
Kristen Graves | Jr. | L | 482 digs
Key losses
Dara Hulstein, Ashley Schildroth, Emily Hayes, Emily Clapp,

26. Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 41-3
27. Marist (Chicago), 39-3, No. 11
28. Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu), 36-4
Outlook: Outside hitter Keonilei Akana, setter Bryanne Soares and libero Tara De Sa lead the Warriors in a battle with 'Iolani for Aloha State supremacy.
Outlook: All-American and Michigan commit Jess Mruzik and rising junior setter Julia Bishop lead the Division 1 semifinalist Marlins into 2019.



30. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 27-2
Outlook: The reigning 5A champions return senior middle blocker Anna Davis and senior setter Caroline Reinkensmeyer.

31. Carroll (Southlake, Texas), 3-2; 39-10
Outlook: The Dragons, looking for their first state title, are off to a slow start in 2019 after a tournament semifinal loss to Prosper. Carroll is led by 2018 All-American middle blocker Annabelle Smith (544 kills) and Natalie Glenn.
32. Eagan (Minn.), 31-3
Outlook: The Wildcats look to bounce back from a five-set, state-title loss to Champlin Park. Setter Kennedi Orr, a 2018 All-American, is back along with Abigail Moe and Christine Jurgens.

33. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix), 33-9
Outlook: Back-to-back state title holders are led by hitters Briana McKnight and Jasmine Knight, and libero Abigail Converse.34. Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 36-6
Outlook: Notre Dame commit Hattie Monson returns at libero, while rising junior setter Rachel Muisenga and senior outside hitter Sophie Gregus pace the Redwings.

35. Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.), 40-2, No. 18
Outlook: The Saints get 2018 All-American setter Loren Robertson back after 1,386 assists last year. She'll team with hitter Aziah Buckner and all-around talent Emma Perkins.



36. Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), 36-8
Outlook: Seniors Caroline Zabroski (450 kills), Gianna Giarraputo and Lauren McEnroe (637 assists) led the Saints after a 5A runner-up season in 2018.

37. Hagerty (Oviedo, Fla.), 25-5
Outlook: While the Huskies lost some to graduation, the returns look promising for a chance to get over the 8A hump. Libero Haley Frank, 6-3 outside hitter Sydney Conley, setter Emily Lawrence, middle blocker Audrey Douglas and outside hitter Alina Carrillo all are back.

38. Providence (Clarksville, Ind.), 33-3
Outlook: The Pioneers seek a rebound from a 4A semifinal loss with returning 2018 All-American hitter Ali Hornung (543 kills), along outside hitting sisters Anna Purichia and Maggie Purichia, and senior Courtney Glotzback.

39. The Woodlands (Texas), 10-0; 46-5
Outlook: The Highlanders have rocketed out the gate behind outside hitter Dylan Maberry, Underclass All-American setter Clara Brower and senior middle Amanda Ifeany.
40. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.), 27-7
Outlook: Wisconsin commit MJ Hammill leads the way for the Trojans at setter, while seniors Calista Stafford and Jamie Brown team with junior Grace Boggess as hitters who each posted more than 170 kills.

41. Pius X (Lincoln, Neb.), 36-3
Outlook: Senior hitter Lauren Taubenheim brings the thunder for the Thunderbirds after a 382-kill campaign in 2018. Alexis Markowski, a 6-3 rising junior hitter, posted 138 blocks and 137 kills last season.

42. Mercy (Louisville, Ky.), 32-7
Outlook: Returning All-American setter Elena Scott (908 assists, 276 digs) leads the Jaguars along with fellow junior Eleanor Beavin, a defensive specialist. Mercy looks to rising senior Caitlin Carpenter to fill the hitting void left by graduation.



43. Papillion-LaVista (Papillion, Neb.), 25-14
Outlook: Junior hitter Norah Sis returns after posting 551 kills as a junior, while rising junior hitter Chloe Paschal added 455. Setter Brooklyn Schram led the team with 1,133 assists.

44. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 39-4
Outlook: The Gaels took the 4A crown last year behind senior hitter Tommi Stockham (378 kills) and rising junior Anjelina Starck, who had 745 assists paired with 259 kills.

45. Prosper (Texas), 4-1; 35-10
Outlook: The trio of Sami Jacobs, Nikki Steinheiser and Shaylee Shore lead the Eagles into their second season in 6A. Prosper won the 5A title in 2017 and made the regional finals last year.
46. Eureka (Mo.), 31-8-3
47. Nation Ford (Fort Mill, S.C.), 46-7-1
Outlook: The reigning large school champions return 6-4 senior hitter and state Gatorade recipient Sophie Fischer. Hitter Ally Thees and Grace Scott also are back, as is 6-3 middle blocker Taylor Atkinson.

48. Mother McAuley (Chicago), 24-14
Outlook: Outside hitters Connie LeBel returns for her junior year after leading the team in kills with 229.



49. Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.), 45-1, No. 4
Outlook: The Tigers lose a ton of kills with their five leading hitters gone to graduation, but 6-1 outside hitter Jordan Miller steps in and teams with defensive specialist Kylie Waters and setter Hannah Waters hoping for a 2019 repeat.

50. Oviedo (Fla.), 28-4, No. 15
Outlook: Lily Gunter returns after 564 digs last year for the 9A champions as Mikaela Schultz (303 kills) looks to replace the hitting power of Savannah Vach, now at Miami.