The 2023 high school volleyball season is underway in all but a handful of states. While competing for a state title is a lofty goal for most programs, some have designs on success at a national level.
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) was a dominant force in the game a year ago, going 42-0, winning the Durango Fall Classic title, handling business in the regular season before capping the year with a CIF Open Division title. The Dons lost MaxPreps National Player of the Year Julia Blyashov to graduation but have reloaded and start the season at No. 4 in the rankings.
Already tagged with a short-handed loss, Prestonwood Christian is the reigning TAPPS Division I champion. Coach Ryan Mitchell has compiled an aggressive national schedule that will test his squad.
Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), which features MaxPreps All-American
Charlie Fuerbringer, enters the season at No. 2. The Mustangs already have a title under their belt after winning the prestigious Ann Kang Invitational on Oahu earlier this month without Feurbringer, who was with USA Volleyball at the U19 Worlds.
Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings.
Charlie Feurbringer and Mira Costa open the season at No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball rankings. Prestonwood Christian in Texas is the No. 1 team as most states have begun the trek toward November championships. (Photo: Darin Sicurello)
2023 record: 4-1
Outlook: There might not be a deeper collection of athletes with
Spears,
Livings (USC) and
Young (TCU) at hitter along with setter
Edwards (Michigan) and libero
Pitts. A loss already this season featured a lineup that was at less than full strength. The Lions have put together an aggressive schedule with major tournaments in multiple states. If they can navigate that without further slips, they have the potential to end up where they start.
2. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), 38-5
2023 record: 10-1
Outlook: The Mustangs dropped a match in pool play at the Ann Kang Invitational before grabbing the title of the prestigious Hawaii tournament.
Chloe Hynes returns and 6-foot-2 sophomore
Audrey Flanagan was MVP at the Ann Kang.
3. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 34-1
2023 record: 3-0
Outlook: The Royals dropped the first game of the season in 2022 and then reeled off 34 straight to win the Class 4A title in a loaded Indiana field. They opened the season with a victory in 2023 and are led by MaxPreps All-Americans
Lauren Harden (Florida) and
Macy Hinshaw.
4. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 42-0
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The reigning national champions have reloaded and bring back a deep squad led by MaxPreps All-Americans
Maya Evens (Maryland) and middle
Jenna Hanes (Michigan). Setter
Amanda Saeger (DePaul) makes the offense run for the host of hitters that include a host of returners and newcomers.
5. Mother McAuley (Chicago), 39-3
2023 record: 1-0
Outlook: The Mighty Macs grabbed their 16th state title in 2023 and return one of the best hitters in the game in Michigan commit
Ellie White. She has more than 1,000 kills in the past two seasons and willed McAuley to victory a few times during the postseason.
6. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), 55-2
2023 record: 12-1
Outlook: The Warriors have started 12-1 with the lone loss to No. 2 Mira Costa at the Ann Kang Invitational. Junior hitter
Megan Fitch leads the way with 92 kills on the young season as well as senior hitter
Grace Carroll and junior setter
Kaia Thiele. The Warriors play an aggressive schedule that includes a stop at the Durango Fall Classic.
7. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 29-9
2023 record: 3-0
Outlook: The Monarchs have all the pieces to make noise in a crowded, and talented, Southern California field. MaxPreps All-American libero
Malyssa Cawa, second-team All-American
Layli Ostovar are joined by senior hitter
Isabel Clark and all-purpose Brown commit
Julia Kakkis.
8. Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 45-5
2023 record: 11-0
Outlook: The Greyhounds won the Georgia AAAAAA title in 2022 with a five-set thriller behind MaxPreps All-Americans
Sophie-Katherine Harvey and
Cooper Abney. Harvey pounded 25 kills in the championship as her squad rallied from down 0-2. They are off to a 10-0 start this season as
Ellis Crawford and freshman
Melissa Seixas also provide firepower for Pope.
9. Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.), 34-5
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Titans return MaxPreps All-American
Lauren Medeck after finishing No. 21 last season. They lost Stella Adeyemi to graduation, but also return setter
Charlee Solomon (628 assists), hitter
Morgan Bode (160 kills) and right side/setter
Kyla Dyrstad (581 assists).
10. Flint Hill (Oakton, Va.), 36-0
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Huskies have a new coach but the same approach: win. A year after running the table with a 36-0 season and VISAA Division I title, Thai Ngyuen takes over as head coach. She's got hitter
Mikki Murray, middle
Ryla Jones, her sister
Renee, libero
Evie Huang and setters
Natalie Ngyuen (Georgetown) and
Isabelle Bardin.
11. Pace Academy (Atlanta), 42-1
2023 record: 6-0
Outlook: The Knights are off to a hot start and have an early season showdown on Friday with No. 8 Pope. Senior hitter
Grace Agolli returns after 246 kills and 473 assists in 2022 along with
Ellie Siskin (284 kills) and sophomore
Jolie Litvak (129 kills). Sophomore setter
Olivia Siskin dished up 409 assists as Pace grabbed the AAAA title.
12. Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 32-10
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Skyhawks grabbed their eighth straight Nebraska title, so they know a little something about closing the deal. Renee Saunders' group loses leading hitter Morgan Burke, but
Addison West (254 kills) is back for her sophomore campaign along with junior hitter
Abbie Hagedorn, senior libero
Paisley Douglas and junior setter
Brooke Banker.
13. Grand Oaks (Spring, Texas), 38-10
2023 record: 18-0
Outlook: The fifth-year program is off to a torrid start in 2023, winning the Katy/Cy Fair tournament without senior middle blocker
Jaela Auguste (336 kills), who was in Croatia with the gold-medal winning USA Volleyball U19 team. Junior hitter
Samara Coleman (515 kills in 2022) was the tournament MVP and the Grizzlies also return sophomore
Halle Thompson (485), senior
Caelyn Emmerling (196) senior setter
Audrey Terry (678 assists).
14. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), 38-6
2023 record: 14-1
Outlook: The Bobcats' lone loss this season is to No. 13 Grand Oaks, but the youth movement from last season is paying early dividends. The Dallas Morning News' top-ranked 6A club returns four of its top five hitters from last season, including
Sydnee Peterson (438 kills) and
Kylie Kleckner (412 kills) who both were all-tournament selections at the recent Northwest ISD tournament. Senior setter
Anna Koster (829 assists) also is back.
15. Plano West (Plano, Texas), 31-4
2023 record: 12-2
Outlook: The losses are to No. 1 Prestonwood Christian and Allen but the Wolves' trio of hitters –
Kate Mansfield (176 kills),
Blaire Bowers (101 kills) and
Kaitlyn Brewer (96 kills) – have started the season strong along with setter
Sophia Wei (272 assists). Libero
Katelyn Vo has 104 digs while Wei has 100 and Bowers has chipped in 92.
16. Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.), 34-5
2023 record: 5-0
Outlook: The Pandas are unbeaten to start 2023 after capping last season with their second state title in three years, no small feat with the Bluegrass State crowning one champion. The youthful squad is hot to begin with junior
Ava Tilden with 60 kills (3.5 per set) leading a quartet of hitters. Junior
Lauren Ott and sophomore
Lizzy Larkins have combined for nearly 200 assists early on.
17. Venice (Fla.), 22-4
2023 record: 1-0
Outlook: The reigning 7A champions opened their 2023 campaign with coach Brian Wheatley's 700th victory. MaxPreps All-American
Summer Kohler leads Venice in its quest for a seventh state title. She is joined by senior
Hilary Hupp and libero
Brighton Ferguson.
18. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 34-8
2023 record: 4-0
Outlook: The Rockets own 22 state titles under Ron Kordes and they are off to a fast start behind hitters
Charlotte Moriarty,
Emma Barnett,
Chloe Smith and
Bailey Blair. Junior Fuller has 127 assists on the season. The Rockets have an aggressive regional schedule and will compete at the always-competitive Durango Fall Classic in September.
19. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 29-1
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: Michelle Yoo takes over the program for Maria Nolan, who won 14 state titles in the past 15 years. The Blue Eagles lose state POY Brookelyn Talmadge but return setter
Kalena Stavish, outside hitter
Eve Roman, libero
Abby Romero and add outside hitter
Maddie Sandt.
20. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.), 30-4
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Trojans have won three straight Minnesota titles and return all but two starters from last season, including setter
Stella Swenson, hitters
Avery Jesewitz and
Olivia Swenson. Additionally,
Katie Kelzenberg and
Reilly Kurth also are back.
21. St. Mary's Dominican (New Orleans), 46-3
2023 record: 1-0
Outlook: MaxPreps All-American
Camryn Chatellier is back to help Dominican in its quest for the three-peat after a 2022 season in which she hammered 402 kills. Setter
Gabby Marcello also returns after dishing up 1,285 assists last season as does junior libero
Lauren Pipitone.
22. Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), 39-5
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Aztecs captured the 6A title for the first time since 2016 last season. And though they lost top hitters Kierstyn Barton and Ella Lomigora to graduation, junior
Alyssa Aguayo (360 kills) and senior
Maggie Beauer (206 kills) return along with senior setter
Julia Owens (1,282 assists) and sophomore libero
Erin Clark.
23. Oconomowoc (Wis.), 39-2
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Raccoons fell short in the Division I final, losing to Divine Savior Holy Angels in five sets. The redemption tour begins Aug. 29 with MaxPreps All-American
Lilly Wagner at setter along with hitters
Anna Bjork,
Marlee Sivak and
Olivia Kwiatkowski.
24. Yorktown (Ind.), 34-3
2023 record: 5-1
Outlook: Last season's Class 4A runner-up to No. 3 Hamilton Southeastern, the Tigers are led by junior hitter
Charlotte Vinson. She's off to a hot start with 131 kills (6.0 per set) this season.
25. Puyallup (Wash.), 36-1
2023 record: 0-0
Outlook: The Vikings ran the table in the regular season last year before falling in the Class 4A title game. MaxPreps All-American
Danielle Brown is back after 301 kills along with
Rebecca Wilber (191 kills) and junior setter
Reese Sheppard (1,163 assists).
On the bubble: Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas), 17-4;
Liberty North (Liberty, Mo.), 0-0;
Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), 0-0;
Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.), 0-0,
Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), 0-0;
Westminster Christian (Miami, Fla.), 2-0;
Huntington Beach (Calif.), 5-3;
Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.), 0-0;
Santa Fe (Alachua, Fla.), 1-1;
St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.), 0-0
