Rockets grab Class 5A banner and third championship in four seasons behind Washington State commit Livia Ward.
Mount St. Mary (Oklahoma City, Okla.) is among the climbers in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings, appearing at No. 15 after winning its third Class 5A championship in four seasons. It was a redemption tour of sorts for the Rockets after falling in the Class 6A quarterfinals in 2023.
"Here’s what’s amazing," coach James Ward told
The Oklahoman. "The team, in my opinion, might be the
best team ever. It’s not the best collection of talent I’ve ever had
together, but as far as the way they play as a team, it’s been
incredible."
The Rockets were led by senior setter and Washington State commit
Livia Ward, who finished the season with 1,164 assists. Her main weapons were junior
Ella Hale (551 kills), senior
Georgia Ahlert (396 kills) and freshman
Isabella Williams (316 kills).
No. 9
Alpharetta looks to cap an unbeaten season with back-to-back Georgia Class AAAAAA titles Nov. 2. The Raiders handled Norcross 3-1 in the semifinals over the weekend and take on North Cobb in the final.
The second and third games of pool play happen Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 with the final Nov. 9. After that, all six will likely will tee it up again in the CIF Southern California Open Division regional bracket.
Oregon commit Logan Bell has helped Roncalli to an unbeaten season so far and a No. 4 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball rankings. The Royals head into Class 3A semi-state play at 32-0. (Photo: Raymond Nanko, MD)
Record: 33-1 | Last week: 1
Record: 32-4 | Last week: 2
Record: 31-2 | Last week: 3
MaxPreps National Player of the Year candidate
Macaria Spears had 15 kills and
Taylor Clarke added 11 in a sweep of Ursuline Academy (Dallas).
Record: 32-0 | Last week: 5
Logan Bell had 18 kills,
Reagan Turk had 15 digs and
Addie Haberthy tossed up 37 assists in a 3-0 win Saturday over Northview (Brazil) in the Class 3A regionals. Up next is a Nov. 2 date with Jennings County (North Vernon) in a semi-state meeting.
Record: 34-1 | Last week: 3
The perfect season ended for the Redwings with a 2-1 loss to Loyola Academy (Wilmette).
Record: 43-2 | Last week: 6
Henley Anderson closed in on 500 kills for her junior season with 14 in a sweep of Del Valle on Friday. She has 479 on the season (4.2 per set).
Record: 42-1 | Last week: 7
Meet Wauwatosa West (Wauwatosa) on Oct. 31 in the sectional semis with a Nov. 2 meeting against Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee) or Wauwatosa East (Wauwatosa) in the final should they advance.
Record: 31-2 | Last week: 8
A Class 4A semi-state meeting with Penn (Mishawaka) is on tap for Saturday for the two-time defending state champions. The Royals would meet Crown Point or Carroll (Fort Wayne), also Saturday, with a victory.
Record: 35-0 | Last week: 9
North Cobb stands in the way of a state title and unbeaten season. The Raiders beat the Warriors 2-1 on Aug. 17.
Record: 31-3 | Last week: 10
Clash with No. 11 Marymount on Tuesday in the second match of Southern Section pool play.
Record: 32-6 | Last week: 11
The Sailors beat No. 17 Mira Costa 15-8 in five sets in the pool play opener.
Record: 33-4 | Last week: 12
Season complete.
Record: 20-1 | Last week: 13
The defending Class 7A champions meet Venice in the regional finals Oct. 30. A rematch with Winter Park, the only team to beat the Panthers, looks imminent.
Record: 39-3 | Last week: 15
Mae Kordas had 10 kills in a sweep of Christian (El Cajon) to wrap up the regular season. The Dons draw 24-10 San Dieguito Academy (Encinitas) in the opening round of San Diego Section Open Division play on Oct. 31.
16. Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)Record: 32-7 | Last week: 16
The Leopards beat Melissa 3-2 in only the third five-set match this season.
Record: 25-7 | Last week: 14
Record: 31-2 | Last week: 18
On the other side of the Class 4A bracket from No. 8 Hamilton Southeastern, the Tigers draw 31-3 Castle (Newburgh) in the first semi-state matchup. Floyd Central (Floyds Knob) or Central Grove (Greenwood) awaits the winner. A potential MaxPreps Top 25 clash is possible with the Royals on Nov. 9.
Record: 26-3 | Last week: 19
Record: 26-4 | Last week: 21
Record: 27-2 | Last week: 22
Record: 24-0 | Last week: 23
Freshman
Josalyn Samuels had 19 assists in a 2-0 win over Spearfish on Saturday.
Record: 31-7 | Last week: 20
The Griffins look to bounce back after opening pool play with a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Mater Dei with matches against Huntington Beach and No. 24 Redondo Union.
Record: 26-9 | Last week: 24
Coach Tommy Chaffins notched his 900th win last week in a sweep of Huntington Beach.
Record: 30-4 | Last week: 25
On the bubble: Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio), 25-0;
Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.), 30-5;
Winter Park (Fla.), 25-1;
Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.), 30-3;
Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), 30-5;
Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 35-5;
Georgetown Day (Washington, D.C.), 20-0;
Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.), 42-6;
Stratford (Houston, Texas), 36-2;
Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 28-8
