Perennial powerhouses and up-and-comers dot our cross-country look.
While not every state has returned to action on the court, the high school volleyball season is in full swing in a majority of states. And those championship dreams are taking hold despite social distancing, masks and ensuring equipment is sanitized.
There are state champions looking to add another banner to the gym, runners-ups looking to avenge last season's defeat, and teams who gained experienced last season and now look to put it all together. Sprinkled throughout the list of top teams are All-Americans, state Gatorade winners and a slew of All-State selections.
Last year: 62-12, 4A champion
The Admirals are loaded with talent in a quest for a 19th straight state title. Senior setter
Brelynn Dailey returns with 963 assists, and hitters
Ella Broadhead (440 kills),
Emily Buhl (424 kills) and
Colton Thompson (255 kills, 629 assists) have enough to overcome the loss of the 587 kills from Jacque Martin, lost to graduation.
Last year: 58-10-3, 4A champion
The Wolverines lost three senior swingers, but have plenty waiting in the wings as they look for back-to-back state titles. Senior
Cami Houser brings back 319 kills, while juniors
Hanna Henrie and
Kensey Schilke combined for nearly 400 more in 2019. Rising senior
Emma McMillian dished up 536 assists for South.
Last year: 31-11, 5A quarterfinalist
The Huskies look to move further in 2020 as sophomore
Kendal Murphy pounded 359 kills and tallied a team-leading 517 assists, while junior
Kaden Young added 203 kills and 468 assists last year. Juniors
Eden Driescher (198 kills),
Taylor Johnson (197 kills) and
Phoebe Stebner (459 assists) add depth to what was a young roster in 2019.
Last year: 31-6, 6A runner-up
A 3-1 finals' loss to Bentonville will no doubt fuel the Mavericks. Senior
Hanna Hogue was five assists shy of the 1,000 mark last season and
Avery Fitzgerald posted 414 kills. Junior
Toree Tiffee (258 kills) and senior
Aleigha Johnson (190) provide extra firepower.
Last year: 33-5, Southern California Open Division semifinalist
Along with Texas, the Golden State is chock full of talent so picking one team is never easy. Cases could be made for Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) and perennial power Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) — all young teams last season. But the Sailors have the talent and experience to perhaps put a state-title run together with junior hitters
Elia Rubin (420 kills) and
Kerry Keefe (265 kills). Junior setter
Kelly Belardi's 825 assists shows she can put it where hitters like.
Caroline Altergott and
Kathryn Kilroy add depth.
Last year: 29-0, 3A champion
The Tigers return every piece of the unbeaten title team save for Jade Feather (587 digs). Juniors
Sydney Henry (388 kills, 418 digs) and
Kaylee Johnson (298 kills, 142 digs) look to add to the win streak along with senior
Valarie Allen (163 kills) and junior
Emerie Rios (123 kills). Senior setter
Allie Schumacher dished up 907 assists.
Last year: 19-3, LL quarterfinalist
Last year: 18-3, Division I champion
Last year: 33-3, DCSAA champion
The Cadets look for a three-peat with returning state Gatorade winner
Rachel Richardson in the fold. The senior pounded 465 kills and added 253 digs for the WCAC champions. Junior
Addie Gaskins looks to fill the void left by Maya Boykin. Sophomore
Pamela McCune is a 6-0 middle hitter who tallied 151 kills and 63 blocks as a freshman.
Samiha Foster brings her 160 kills back as well.
Last year: 24-8, 6A runner-up
Last year: 36-1, AAAAA champion
The Chiefs enter 2020 already 5-0 on the young season and looking for their fourth straight Peach State title.
Ngozi Iloh (301 kill and 64 blocks) joins rising junior
Alexa Markley's 217 kills to offset the graduation loss of Erykah Lovett. The only thing McIntosh needs is to find a way to replace the 931 assists that graduated setter Jessie Doyal supplied.
Last year: 39-4, Division I champion
The Warriors graduated senior leaders Keonilei Akana, Bryanne Soares and Tara De Sa, but have the state's top player in
Devin Kahahawai returning with her team-high 381 kills. Junior
Maui Robins posted 228 kills, 70 blocks and 314 digs last season.
Last year: 34-14, 5A champion
The Titans, in their second year of existence, brought home a battle-tested state title. All five tournament games went at least four sets and Idaho's top player,
Paige Clark steps into the limelight as the leading returning hitter with 236 kills, 207 digs and 729 assists.
Last year: 36-6, 3A champions
The Golden Warriors will rely on seniors
Lexi Rodriguez and
Breelyn Borum and
Brooklyn Borum, plus sophomore
Grace Egan. Egan had 360 kills in her freshman campaign and tied for the team lead with Brooklyn Borum. Bree Borum added 287 kills, while Rodriguez was all over the stat sheet in addition to leading the U18 US National team to a gold-medal performance in Egypt last September.
Last year: 35-1, 4A champion
The Trojans seeks a fourth state title — they own back-to-back 3A crowns before earning last year's 4A jewelry — and have leading hitter
Mabrey Shaffmaster back in the fold. Older sister Melani graduated, but
Laila Smith (340 kills),
Bailey Cox (284 digs) and
Nicole Wilkinson (117 kills) look to keep the Trojans rolling. Replacing Melani's 948 assists is first on the docket.
Laila Smith and Mabrey Shaffmaster lead New Castle in a quest for a fourth straight Indiana title.
File photo by Julie Brown
Last year: 38-5, 5A runner-up
Hayden Kubik had a monster sophomore campaign with 401 kills and 117 digs and looks to get help from senior
Payton Lombardi (127 kills). The Tigers need to replace Olivia Curry's 537 assists.
Last year: 33-9, 5A playoffs
After an early exit in pool play, the Golden Eagles return with their top three hitters in
Ella Larkin (341 kills),
Riley Daugherty (236 kills) and
Kenzie Dugan (139 kills). Daugherty posted 260 digs, while Larkin led the team with 290 digs and added 285 assists.
Last year: 36-7, runner-up
Last year: 20-4, Division II champion
The Rebels had little trouble winning their seventh straight crown, losing one set in the state tournament. Defending that title is now on the shoulders of
Cicily Hidalgo — the state Gatorade Player of the Year recipient — in addition to senior libero
Molly Webre and hitter Paige Guidry (497 kills, 438 digs).
Last year: 17-0, Class A champion
The Yachtsmen sailed to the unbeaten season and title behind the stellar play of two-time All-State Player of the Year and Gatorade selection
Annika Hester, who posted 329 kills, 161 digs and 14 blocks. Senior
Katie Phillips dished up 258 assists last year.
Last year: 23-3, IAAM A champion
Mary Grace Goyena, the state Gatorade Player of the Year and three-time All-IAAM first team selection posted 405
kills, 133 digs and 58 aces. Senior
Chidinma Onukwugha and sophomore
Kelenna Onukwugha supplied nearly 400 kills combined. The Sailor must replace Grace Wallace's 771 assists.
Last year: 21-0, Division I champion
Rising seniors
Karen Nie and
Lila Carr combined for nearly 500 kills while
Ellie Streeper had 251 digs in her sophomore campaign. The Rockets need to find a setter to replace Daly Johnson's 622 assists.
Last year: 55-4, Division I runner-up
A strong case could be made for both D-II champion Grand Rapids Christian and D-I champion Mercy, but the Red Arrows simply counter with
Jenna Reitsma's 873 kills from last season along with 1,571 assists from
Sophia Powell. Add in
Emma Hall and sophomore
Aubreigh Oswald and Lowell should be in position to challenge for the crown.
Last year: 36-1, AAA runner-up
The Wildcats lost a five-set heartbreaking in the title game, after breezing through the schedule up to that point. They're led by Star Tribune and Gatorade state Player of the Year
Kennedi Orr (170 kills and 269 assists), who is looking to avenge the title loss. The Nebraska commit will be joined by 6-2 middle hitter Abby Moe.
Last year: 43-3, MAIS champion
The Raiders are off to an 8-1 start and led by reigning Gatorade recipient
Parker Bracken (648 kills, 517 digs last season) and setter
Natalie Derusso (1,287 assists).
Last year: 34-4-1, Class 3 champion
Last year: 33-0, Class AA champion
Last year: 34-5, Class B champion
Last year: 41-5, 3A champion
Last year: 19-0, Division III champion
Last year: 35-4, Non-Public champion, Tournament of Champions winner
Last year: 22-1, 5A champion
The Bears enter 2020 on a 22-game win streak after falling in their first 2019 match before running the table.
Sidney McIntosh returns after posting 323 kills in her junior season, while
Maalese Wallace and
Isabella Harrison combined for 300 kills. Junior
Erin Jones leads the offense having dished up 808 assists last season.
Last year: 44-6, Class A champion
Last year: 31-4, NCISSA 4A champion
The Knights lost kills leader Skylar Buckley, but
Riley Buckley looks to step into that go-to role along with
Arica Davis,
Imani Lester and
Kayla Hawkins, who all combined for nearly 800 kills. In addition to her second-high kill total, Riley Buckley also paced NRCA with 451 assists.
Last year: 33-2, Class A champion
Last year: 25-3, Division I semifinalist
Last year: 21-9, 6A quarterfinalist
The Timberwolves return
Ali Woodrow and are off to a quick 2-0 start in 2020.
Last year: 25-4, Class 6A champion
The Crusaders were young en route to their state championship. Flashing much more experience, they return their top three hitters in
Maddy Dowdall (288 kills),
Amanda Henry (194 kills) and T
ess Masingale (188 kills).
Alison Bucholz also is back after a 281 dig-765 assist season.
Last year: 31-11-3, 4A semifinalist
Top hitter
Brynn Dreisbach is back for the Trojans after notching 515 kills in 2019.
Sydney Esquieres also returns more than 100 kills from last season and senior
Jackie Malitzki averaged nearly 10 assists per set on her way to posting 1,169 for the season.
Last year: 25-0, Division I champion
The Skippers haven't lost since Nov. 19, 2016 and roll into 2020 looking for a fourth straight unbeaten season. Senior setter
Ava Mattiucci, senior hitter
Cadia Greene and senior libero
Jaime Harrington lead the charge for a fourth straight title.
Last year: 34-7-2, 4A semifinalist
Last year: 26-5, Class AA runner-up
The Knights return most of last year's squad led by the state's top player in
Bergen Reilly (503 assists, 225 kills and 47 aces). Sister
Raegen Reilly also returns along with her 411 assists and 222 kills. Libero
Emma McKay (327 digs) joins
Grace Bengford as key returners.
Last year: 54-3, Class 3A champion
Shaye Eggleston, the Volunteer State Gatorade winner, returns as the Bruins seek their fourth straight AAA title. The Alabama commit recorded 856 kills, 444 digs, 80
blocks and 87 aces last year and is joined by
Hollye Tate (267 kills). Brentwood must replace Piper Drazek's 1,746 assists.
Last year: 41-4, 6A quarterfinalist
The Lone Star State is overflowing with talent and Lovejoy, Byron Nelson, Guyer or Hebron could easily supplant the Jaguars for the No. 1 spot. But with
Caroline Dykes,
Kaylee Cox and
Angelique Cyr all back, the senior leadership is undeniable. Cox and Cyr posted nearly 1,000 kills together, while Dykes added 936 assists and junior
Megan Farris added 579 of her own. Flower Mound needs to have its big three fill the leadership void left by Sarah Martinez.
Last year: 21-12, 5A runner-up
Avery Shewell (443 kills) leads a quartet of hitters returning for the Pioneers. Senior
Macey Faddis (185 assists) must fill in the setter role vacated by Eliza Gibson. Libero
Bailee Holland added 295 digs for Lehi last season.
Last year: 26-1, Division I runner-up
Last year: 31-1, VISAA Division 1 champion
Seeking their fourth straight state title, the Huskies lose all-around player Sydney Reed, but return
Elayna Duprey (264 kills) and sophomore
Sydney Bryant (112 kills). Additionally,
Zoe Huang is back for her senior season after putting up 542 assists (6.2 per game) last season. Flint Hill is a combined 98-2 over the last three seasons.
Last year: 19-6, 4A semifinalist
The Evergreen State is wide open and the Eagles look poised to step to the forefront with sophomore
Hailey Brockway returning after a 472-kill freshman season. Senior
Makenna Jackson added 150 kills and 300 digs last season and
Madison Brockway contributed 401 digs. The setter position needs to be filled after losing Raedyn Goudreau's 646 assists to graduation.
Last year: 58-2-2, Class 3A champion
Last year: 36-9, Division I section quarterfinalist
Last year: 25-11, 4A quarterfinalist
Leading hitter
Brenli Jenkins (286 kills, 258 digs) and
Cali Pollastro (third-best 128 kills) both return for the Tigers. Rising junior
Emily Taucher tallied 737 assists last year (8 per game).
Angelique Cyr, Flower Mound
File photo by Jim O
