High school volleyball: Best team in all 50 states heading into the 2024 season

By Aaron Williams Aug 15, 2024, 11:00am

Perennial powerhouses and up-and-comers dot our cross-country look.

The high school volleyball season is underway or getting ready to toss up the first serve across the country. Earlier this week, MaxPreps highlighted the top high school volleyball player in each state. We continue our cross-country look by identifying the top team in each state.

There are state champions looking to add another banner to the gym, runners-up looking to avenge last season's defeat and teams who gained experience last season and now look to put it all together. Read on to find out who got the nod in your state.
Alabama — McGill-Toolen (Mobile)
Last season: 46-8, Class 7A champion
The Yellowjackets beat Bob Jones in the postseason after falling twice in the regular season. Paris McQuirter is back after 535 kills as a junior.

Alaska — Wasilla
Last season: 73-3, Class 4A champion
Setter Mylee Anderson has four of her top five hitters back after winning first banner in 20 years.

Arizona — Horizon (Scottsdale)
Last season: 32-10, Class 5A champion
Huskies return the top-rated player in her class in Teraya Sigler along with a mix of experience and youth in senior libero Ava Lambert, senior setter Avery Ashcraft as well as junior hitter Sienna Markovich and sophomore middle Olivia Kauffman.

Last season: 27-6
The Mavericks return their two tops hitters in Gabriela Dupree and Lydia Pitts, who also sets for the squad, along with libero Ella Shelby.



California — Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach)
Last season: 39-4
Losing Charlie Feurbringer to graduation would hamper many programs but Audrey Flanagan, Simone Roslon and Taylor Deckert will help the Mustangs reload.

Last season: 29-0, Class 5A champion
Setter Chloe Elarton is back along with all-around Kenzey McGatlin (213 kills, 333 digs, 473 receives) and junior opposite Bergen Waitman as the Eagles look for another Centennial State title.

Connecticut — RHAM (Hebron)
Last season: 27-5-1, Class M champion
The Raptors return Meredith Weir (323 kills), Nina Jobes (826 assists) and Neve Tyler (490 digs and 353 receptions).

Last season: 14-3, state runner-up
A young Raiders squad reached the state finals and returns their five top hitters led by C.C. DeCaro along with junior setter Hayley Timmons.

District of Columbia — Georgetown Day
Last season: 22-5, DCSAA champion
Hitters Jada Aksu and Zoe Ryu and libero Shiraz Benyoucef are back from a Mighty Hoppers team poised to repeat as champions.

Last season: 31-2, Class 3A champion
The Sunshine State is loaded with talent, led by sophomore Lydia Chinchar. She helped the Patriots to a No. 17 national rank with 573 kills. Plant (Tampa), Winter Park and Berkeley Prep (Tampa) all will factor in things in Florida this season, however.

Last season: 42-9, AAAAAAA champion
The reigning champs bring back three of their top four hitters (Sarah Boyle, Carys Sanabria and Olivia Boyle) along with junior libero Hannah Nicholson. In addition to 187 kills, Olivia Boyle also dished out 606 assists last season for the Warriors.

Last season: 30-3, Division I champion
Kamana'ookalani Goldstein, Ashli Lum and Kalaweloilehua Chock are back after the state title winner finished No. 18 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.

Idaho — Skyview (Nampa)
Last season: 29-6, Class 4A champion
The Skyhawks look to win a fifth straight state title with outside hitter Bellamie Beus leading the way along with Lizzie Bower, Kensey Seward, Jillian Deatherage and Berkleigh Minnick.

Illinois — Benet Academy (Lisle)
Last season: 39-3, Class 4A runner-up
The Redwings fell to Mother McAuley (Chicago) in the title game but return a slew of talent from that team. Junior setter Ellie Stiernagle, senior libero Aniya Warren, junior hitter Lynney Tarnow and seniors Audrey Asleson and Gabby Stasys all have big-game experience now.

Last season: 33-0, Class 4A champion
Lindsey Mangelson, Ava Hunter, Kaylyn Christy and Madison Miles all return for the two-time state champions after an unbeaten season in 2023. The Hoosier State talent is deep, however, with several squads looking to knock off the champs.

Iowa — Mt. Vernon
Last season: 38-5, Class 3A runner-up
Senior hitter Chloe Meester is back after 559 kills. Also back is setter Sydney Huber (1,092 assists) and libero Jaden Rolland.

Kansas — Mill Valley (Shawnee)
Last season: 37-5, Class 6A champion
The Jaguars return three of their top four hitters (Riley Riggs, Saida Jacobs and Ashlyn Blazer) along with setter Ella Florez and junior libero Corinne Schwindt.

Last season: 37-5, state champion
The Rockets won their 23rd state title last season, finished No. 7 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and return Emilee Fuller, Kristen Simon, Bailey Blair, Emma Barnett and Ella Askin.

Last season: 44-2, Division I champion
Looking for their fifth straight state crown, Dominican loses Camryn Chatellier to graduation but has libero Lauren Pipitone, Zoie Mitchell and Maia Briuglio back.

Maine — Yarmouth
Last season: 14-3 Class B champion
In search of a sixth straight state title, Grace Keaney (156 kills) leads a young squad already with a ton of experience.

Last season: 22-3, Class 4A champion
Rockets return their top four hitters, including Ema Djordjevic, from last year's championship squad.

Massachusetts — Newton North (Newtonville)
Last season: 25-1, Division 1 champion
Senior hitter Devon Burke (336 kills) and sophomore all-around Sasha Selivan lead Tigers on quest for back-to-back banners.

Last season: 30-14-3, Division 1 champion
Campbell Flynn is back at setter and has her top three hitters back from last year in sophomore Kate Kalczynski and juniors Maya Zarow and Cree Hollier. Ella Andrews, a 6-4 transfer, and McKenzie Andrews, a 6-3 freshman, will be tough to hit around in the middle.

Last season: 24-7
Carly Gilk pounded 410 kills for the 24-7 Rebels. Also back are setter Reese Axness (897 assists) and middle Kathryn Adley.

Mississippi — Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Last season: 35-13, MAIS Division I champion
The reigning champions are young but battle-hardened with sophomore Carson Caraway and a slew of talent behind her like Sophie Sosa, Keira Hariel, Ava McManus, Sarah Moulder and Madelyn Rodrigue.

Missouri — Lafayette (Wildwood)
Last season: 36-2, Class 5 champion
The sister tandem of senior Maya Witherspoon (435 kills) and sophomore Shaye Witherspoon (252 kills) is back after helping the Lancers to the state title.



Montana — Hardin
Last season: 25-2-3, Class A champion
The Bulldogs return the state's top player in MaKenna Torske.

Nebraska — Skutt Catholic (Omaha)
Last season: 29-13, Class B champion
Coach Renee Saunders and the Skyhawks are in search of a remarkable 10th straight title and have a young but experienced crew returning, including top hitters Abbie Hagedorn and Addison West.

Last season: 34-5, Class 5A champion
Ayanna Watson and Trinity Thompson lead the Gaels in a quest for a second straight state crown. The duo were MaxPreps Sophomore All-Americans as Watson pounded 605 kills with 373 digs while Thompson tallied 1,132 assists.

New Hampshire — Bedford
Last season: 21-0, Division I champion
McKenna O'Connell looks to lead the Bulldogs on a five-peat quest.

New Jersey — Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township)
Last season: 29-1, Non-Public A champion
The Blue Eagles lost setter and MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year Kalena Stavish to graduation. There is still plenty left, however, as outside hitter Eve Roman, setter Julia Sobilo and middle Rachel Paton all are back along with incoming freshman Adrielle Crump.

New Mexico — Las Cruces
Last season: 26-2, Class 5A champion
The Bulldawgs won their first state title since 2001 last season and return junior outside hitter Addison Massey (450 kills, 249 digs) and junior setter Sydney Pipkin (772 assists) as they look to go back-to-back.



New York — Fairport
Last season: 31-3-1, Class AAA champion
After grabbing their first volleyball crown last season, the Red Raiders are poised to run it back with Kiera Cornman and Lana Wood leading the charge.

North Carolina — Cox Mill (Concord)
Last season: 24-4, Class 4A runner-up
Ryan Hunter is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the spring but the Chargers are again loaded. Jordyn Gray had 335 kills and Alaina Walker had close to 1,000 assists.

North Dakota — Sheyenne (West Fargo)
Last season: 14-4, Class A champion
The Mustangs reeled in their first state title and return seniors Jadyn Feist and Alexa Killoran.

Last season: 18-12, Division II runner-up
Four of the top five hitters (Marlie Davis, Aubrey Anders, D'aira Whitner and Kayla Channell) are back along with setter Ella Jackson and libero Brie Habeeb.

Oklahoma — Mount St. Mary (Oklahoma City)
Last season: 37-4
After bowing out in the first round of last year's Class 6A playoffs, the Rockets are back led by Washington State commit Livia Ward (964 assists). Two of the top four hitters from last year are also back in Ella Hale and Georgia Ahlert.

Oregon — Jesuit (Portland)
Last season: 35-2-2, Class 6A champion
The Crusaders lose their top two hitters from last year's title team but juniors Sadie Ross and Iman Foster combined for nearly 400 kills while Washington State commit Jackie Carle and Washington commit Addy Azavedo are back at setter and libero, respectively.



Pennsylvania — North Allegheny (Wexford)
Last season: 23-7, Class 4A champion
A senior-heavy team won its seventh straight title but there's more talent coming in sophomore Molly Robertson (136 kills, 460 assists).

Rhode Island — North Kingstown
Last season: 18-1, Division I champion
The Skippers were back on top last season, winning the title after claiming the crown from 2018 to 2021. Junior Tessa LaFrenier is back after leading the team in kills with 149 last season, as is Ava Sardelli.

South Carolina — North Myrtle Beach (Little River)
Last season: 43-2, Class 4A runner-up
Back-to-back runner-up finishes have the Chiefs poised to get back to the top after winning titles in 2018 and 2019. Setter Bella Loeswick (1,085 assists), senior hitter Olivia Borgman (420 kills) and junior outside Clara Cloninger (384 kills) will lead the way.

South Dakota — Harrisburg
Last season: 31-0, Class AA champion
Loaded again after a 31-0 state-title campaign, the Tigers return every cog to that unbeaten squad. Josalyn Samuels had 1,054 assists as an eighth grader while top hitters Gabi Zachariasen (529 kills), Karalynn Leach (209 kills), Kennedy Kokenge (178 kills) and Bergen Stiff (161 kills) all return.

Last season: 30-8, Division II-AA champion
Gailey Laster knocked down 319 kills and Breya Dawson added 199 kills while Sarah O'Connor added 1,176 assists for the Saints.

Last season: 36-4, TAPPS 6A champion
Macaria Spears is back for her senior season after earning MaxPreps Naitonal Junior of the Year honors as the Lions grabbed their second straight banner. Prestonwood graduated four key players but have libero Gillian Pitts and setter Taylor Cook back along with twins Nyla Livings and Naomi Livings and Taylor Clarke to provide hitting options should teams double Spears.
Utah — Lone Peak (Highland)
Last season: 28-5, Class 6 champion
Setter Sam Pope (609 assists, 233 digs), senior McKynzee Beddes (220 kills) and sophomore Ava Burgess (207 kills) return.



Last season: 18-0, Division I champion

Virginia — Langley (McLean)
Last season: 26-3, Class 6 champion
The Saxons won their third straight Class 6 title and recorded the 500th program win last season. Back are key contributors Ana Toumazatos, Ava Barnett-Mckenzie, Leni Stanton-Parker and Claire Mo.
 
Washington — Curtis (University Place)
Last season: 21-6
Top hitters Avery Cukjati (387 kills), Ariana Medchill (265 kills), Kathryn Harris (144 kills) and Selana Morales (101 kills) all return for the Vikings. Peyton Ensign dished out 685 assists and Elaina Duong was stout at libero with 492 receives.

West Virginia — Musselman (Inwood)
Last season: 36-16-2, Class AAA runner-up
Ada McCoy is back after dropping 708 kills last season for the Applemen. Also back is setter Bella Hutzler (709 assists).

Wisconsin — Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Last season: 47-1, Division 1 champion
Two-time state champions return hitter Madison Quest along with setter Jordan Czajkowski and libero Olivia Durst.

Wyoming — Laramie
Last season: 33-1, Class 4A champion
Plainsmen lose Maddie Stucky but top three hitters are back in junior Tessa Dodd and seniors Michon Sailors and Savanna Steiert.

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