Coaches tend to have short, medium and long-term goals for the their teams throughout the season. They usually involve beating rivals, winning league before switching to postseason success.
Well, it's time for many in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings to test their postseason mettle as large portions of the country put aside regular-season action to the win-or-go-home excitement of playoff action.
Nowhere is that more in your face than the Indiana Class 4A bracket, which begins Saturday. Four MaxPreps Top 25 teams — No. 3
McCutcheon (Lafayette), No. 7
Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers), No. 9
Yorktown and No. 24
Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (Indianapolis) — are on a collision course in the opening or second round of the bracket. Yorktown and Brebeuf battle in Saturday's regional semis while McCutcheon and Hamilton Southeastern should meet in the regional championships, also on Saturday. Whoever winds up winning the state title Nov. 5 will have earned it for sure.
Also beginning this week are the various Georgia classes with five Peach State teams either in the MaxPreps Top 25 or on the bubble.
In Southern California, the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs begin with a new pool-play format, which includes No. 4
Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), No. 10
Marymount (Los Angeles), No. 11
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) and No. 16
Mater Dei (Santa Ana). Pool A features top-seed Mira Costa and Mater Dei, while Pool B features second-seed Sierra Canyon and Marymount, who split league meetings this season.
The pool winners battle for the section title Nov. 5 before the Southern California Open Division bracket begins the next gauntlet for SoCal teams.
Recent Florida commit Lauren Harden, in action from 2021, looks to lead No. 7 Hamilton Southeastern into an Indiana 4A postseason bracket that features four MaxPreps Top 25 teams. (Photo: Julie Brown)
Recap: The Dons kept the train rolling with a pair of league sweeps over La Jolla and Scripps Ranch. They finish off league this week before heading to the San Diego Section postseason.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Torrey Pines, Oct. 20 vs. Patrick Henry
2. (3) Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), 54-2
Recap: The Warriors were back in action after a light schedule the prior week.
Nayeli Gonzalez pounded 20 kills and
Megan Fitch added 11 kills and 12 digs in a sweep of Dripping Springs.
Alyssa Manitzas had 12 digs, and
Taylor Anderson had 26 assists while
Kaia Thiele added 16.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Incarnate Word
3. (4) McCutcheon (Lafayette, Ind.), 32-1
Recap: The Mavericks took the Section 7 title and begin 4A Regional semifinals action Saturday. A win over Homestead could set up a top 10 showdown with Hamilton Southeastern in the regional championship.
Outlook: Oct. 22 vs. Homestead
4. (5) Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), 33-3
Recap: The Mustangs closed out the regular season with a 3-1 win over Redondo Union as
Drew Wright,
Chloe Hynes and
Tanon Rosenthal all posted double-digit kills. They earned the top seed in the D1 section playoffs.
Outlook: Southern Section D1 pool play vs. Lakewood, Palos Verdes and Mater Dei
5. (6) Fayetteville (Ark.), 31-2
Recap: Brooke Rockwell dropped 18 kills while Dartmouth commit
Madeline Lafata added 16 in a sweep of Southside as the Bulldogs close out regular-season play this week.
Kennedy Phelan posted 34 assists in the win.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Har-Ber, Oct. 20 vs. Roger Heritage
6. (2) Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 30-1
Recap: The Mustangs fell from the unbeaten ranks with a 25-23, 25-15 Beast of the East final loss to Northville. Prep Dig reported they were without Miss Volleyball finalist
Ella Schomer and senior
Reagan Sass due to injury. Marian's two state title runs have featured at least one loss along the way.
Outlook: CHSL Bishop tournament
7. (7) Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 30-1
Recap: The Royals handled Carmel, Westfield and Fishers to win the Section 8 bracket. The 4A draw features a showdown with No. 3 McCutcheon should they get past Carroll.
Outlook: Oct. 22 vs. Carroll
8. (8) Tompkins (Katy, Texas), 33-3
Recap: The Falcons soared past Clear Creek and Morton Ranch with sweeps last week as
Cindy Tchouangwa had 14 kills in each match.
Erica Dellesky had 14 and 17 assists over the two matches.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Mayde Creek, Oct. 21 vs. Jordan
9. (9) Yorktown (Ind.), 31-2
Recap: The Tigers swept their way to a Section 9 title and can earn their stripes with a regional semifinal match on Saturday against No. 24 Brebeuf.
Charlotte Vinson powered Yorktown with 34 kills over the three-match Section 9 title.
Outlook: Oct. 22 vs. Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory
10. (12) Marymount (Los Angeles), 29-6
Recap: The Sailors ended the regular season with a sweep of Marlborough as
Torrey Stafford had 14 kills and
Lauren Brooker dished 22 assists. The reigning MaxPreps National Champions enter the Southern Section D1 postseason with the No. 3 seed. The pool includes two-seed Sierra Canyon. The league foes split their regular-season matches.
Outlook: Southern Section D1 pool play vs. Huntington Beach, Newport Harbor and Sierra Canyon
11. (13) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 29-4
Recap: Olivia Babcock fuels the Trailblazers offense as she posted 11 kills in the regular-season finale against Marlborough. They drew the No. 2 seed in pool B and will get a rubber-match meeting with No. 10 Marymount on Saturday that likely decides the pool winner.
Outlook: Southern Section D1 pool play vs. Huntington Beach, Newport Harbor and Marymount
12. (14) Oconomowoc (Wis.), 34-1
Recap: Freshman
Marlee Sivak and senior
Cordelia Kearns each hammered 10 kills in a regular-season ending sweep of Hartford. Division I Sectionals being next.
Outlook: Oct. 22 vs. Fond du Lac-Neenah winner
13. (15) Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas), 32-1
Recap: Macaria Spears had 32 kills in two victories as
Kennedy Washington (13 ) and
Mikala Young (20) rounded out the attack.
Camille Edwards had 42 assists and
Taylor Cook added 25.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Trinity Christian, Oct. 20 vs. Parish Episcopal
14. (16) Highland Park (Dallass), 36-2
Recap: Sydney Breon and
Ceci Gooch led the Scots' attack in a win over Irving as the regular season nears its end next week before the gauntlet that is the UIL postseason.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Berkner, Oct. 21 vs. Richardson
15. (17) Buford (Ga.), 33-5
Recap: The Wolves took the region tournament with wins over Mountain View and Mill Creek as
Ashley Sturzoiu had 29 kills in the two matches. Up next is the state 7A tournament with a possible semifinal matchup with North Gwinnett.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Duluth
16. (18) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 27-8
Recap: The Monarchs finished regular-season play with a sweep of Rosary Academy as 13 players posted at least one kills. That depth will be needed in the D1 pool play. The Monarchs beat Mira Costa and fell to Lakewood early in the year.
Outlook: Southern Section D1 pool play vs. Lakewood, Palos Verdes and Mira Costa
17. (19) 'Iolani (Honolulu), 22-5
Recap: Senna Roberts-Navarro dropped 19 kills and
Brooke Naniseni added 10 and
Maya Imoto-Eakin dished up 38 assists in a sweep of Punahou to claim the ILH Division I title, the third in school history.
Outlook: Division I state tournament
18. (10) Mother McAuley (Chicago), 32-3
Recap: The Mighty Macs dropped a pair of matches at the Autumnfest Invite before rebounding to take third with a win over Huntley. Michigan commit
Ellie White posted 58 kills over the weekend.
Outlook: Oct. 19 vs. Lyons
19. (11) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 28-7
Recap: The Rockets fell in five to Notre Dame Academy as sophomore
Emma Barnett led the match with 14 kills and
Alexis Strong added 12 while
Whitney Woodrow dished up 48 assists.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Brown in 26th District tournament
20. (20) Cypress Ranch (Houston), 38-2
Recap: Bianna Muoneke dropped 28 kills and 22 digs, sophomore
Taylor Porter finished with 20 kills and 16 digs and senior
Janyah Henderson chipped in 12 kills in a four-set win over Bridgeland.
Kirby Kliafas had 32 assists and freshman
Zora Bello added 24.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Cypress Lakes, Oct. 21 vs. Langham Creek
21. (21) Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), 25-0
Recap: Erin Curtis paced the Lancers' sweep of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory with 14 kills and 17 digs while
Havannah Hoeft added 39 assists.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. St. Ignatius, Oct. 20 vs. Valley Christian
22. (22) Plano West (Plano, Texas), 27-2
Recap: The Wolves were led by
Blaire Bayless with 19 kills while
Katelyn Ruhman added 12 in a sweep of Marcus.
Darci Pickel dished up 17 assists.
Outlook: Oct. 18 vs. Plano East, Oct. 21 vs. Hebron
23. (24) Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.), 37-1
Recap: The Blues' win streak bumped to 36 matches with victories over Emporia and Sumner Academy.
Outlook: Class 6A Sub-state
24. (25) Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory (Indianapolis), 26-3
Recap: The Braces took down Roncalli 3-1 in the Section 11 finals as
Delaney Seaman led the way with 18 kills,
Sydney Robinson added 16 while
Lola Schumacher had 23 digs and
Naija Gadis had 44 assists.
Outlook: Outlook: Oct. 22 vs. Yorktown
25. (NR) Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 40-5
Recap: The Greyhounds got 25 kills from
Sophie Harvey in a pair of regular-season ending sweeps of Alpharetta and Johns Creek. Against Alpharetta, sophomore
Ellis Crawford added 12 kills and
Cooper Abney had 35 assists. In the Johns Creek win
Becky Blaydes and
Sarah Trowbridge each tallied 10 kills with Abney posting 33 assists. Up next, 6A postseason play.
Outlook: Oct. 10 vs. Gainesville
On the bubble: Dike-New Hartford (Dike, Iowa), 40-2;
Westminster Christian (Miami), 21-0;
Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 28-4;
Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), 32-3;
North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 39-1;
Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 23-1;
Pace Academy (Atlanta), 37-1;
Sequoyah (Canton, Ga.), 33-3;
Northville (Mich.), 35-3
