Alpharetta could be the first nationally-ranked team to capture a state championship Thursday when it meets
Walton (Marietta) in Georgia's Class AAAAAA final. No. 15 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings, the Raiders are looking for a three-peat and fourth title in six seasons.
After losing key pieces of last year's championship team to graduation, Alpharetta has continued its success with a
mix of veterans, a freshman setter and a 6-foot-2 sophomore transfer
from Florida.
Kennedi White and
Stephanie Payne provide the senior leadership for the Raiders while freshman
Susie Dai has 523 assists in 99 sets. Class of 2028 standout
Leilani Lamar leads the team with 297 kills after joining the program from
Tampa Prep (Tampa, Fla.).
Alabama commit Audrey Simpson (left) and Kennedi White (center) of Alpharetta rise for a block during a match last month. The Raiders meet Walton in Georgia's Class AAAAAA state championship game Thursday. (PHOTO: Darren Freeman)
Alpharetta previously won state titles in 2020, 2023 and 2024. Walton, the MaxPreps National Champion in 2017, is
looking for its first state crown since 2021 after winning 10 in 12 years between 2010 and 2021.
The section final is set for Nov. 8 at Cerritos College.
In Indiana, the Class 4A quarterfinals also feature a pair of MaxPreps Top 25 teams as unbeaten No. 7
Carroll (Fort Wayne) takes on No. 13
Westfield. The winner Saturday morning match has to turn around and play an evening semi-state match against either
Penn (Mishawaka) or
Crown Point for a trip to the state title game Nov. 8.
MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball rankings
1. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
Record: 36-0 |
Last week: 1
Washington commit
Kylie Kleckner finished the regular season with 438 kills while Rice pledge
Ashlyn Seay added 432 kills.
2. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Record: 36-3 | Last week: 2
Junior
Lucky Fasavalu has 797 assists while four Trailblazer hitters have more than 200 kills.
3. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 29-4 |
Last week: 3
4. Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Record: 36-5 | Last week: 4
5. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Record: 29-2 |
Last week: 5
Tessa Larkin continues to power the Gator attack with 329 kills as they close out the regular season against once-ranked Corona del Sol (Tempe) and Millennium (Goodyear).
6. Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.)
Record: 34-4 |
Last week: 6
The Falcons are the top seed in the San Diego Section Open Division playoffs. They open with Christian (El Cajon) on Wednesday and could meet previously-ranked Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) in the final.
7. Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Record: 34-0 |
Last week: 7
Bailey Sinish is closing in on 500 kills for the season.
8. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 33-4 |
Last week: 8
The Rockets are on a quest for their 25th state title starting with a 7th Region opening win over Seneca on Monday.
9. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas)
Record: 31-4 |
Last week: 9
Season complete.
10. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
Record: 27-3 |
Last week: 10
The Monarchs await seeding for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, which begin Nov. 1.
11. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Record: 29-6 |
Last week: 11
Looking for their first Southern Section title since 2019 when they beat Mater Dei for the Division 1 crown.
12. Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.)
Record: 33-2 |
Last week: 12
Take on West Chicago (Chicago) on Tuesday in the Glen Elleyn Sectional quarterfinals.
13. Westfield (Westfield, Ind.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 13
Senior
Georgia Bresnahan leads five Shamrock hitters with more than 100 kills while junior setters
Emily Blevins and
Kenna Robinson have combined for 993 assists.
14. Harrisburg (S.D.)
Record: 22-2 |
Last week: 14
Rolled through the East-West tournament over the weekend without dropping a set in five victories.
15. Alpharetta (Ga.)
Record: 36-1 |
Last week: 15
Leilani Lamar,
Kennedi White,
Stephanie Payne and
Audrey Simpson all have more than 190 kills as the Raiders are on the cusp of a third straight state title.
16. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 16
Tangle with Berkeley Prep (Tampa) on Tuesday for a chance to reach the final four in the Class 3A bracket.
17. Winter Park (Fla.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 17
Take on Hagerty (Ovideo) on Wednesday in a Class 7A regional final matchup. Winter Park is the reigning 7A champion and could potentially meet Plant (Tampa) in a rematch of the 2024 title match.
18. Roncalli (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Record: 29-5 |
Last week: 18
Brownstown Central (Brownstown) is the next step Saturday in the Class 3A quarterfinals as the Royals look for a fifth state title.
19. Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 30-4 |
Last week: 19
Take on Lindblom (Chicago) on Tuesday in the Richton Park Sectional quarterfinals. McAuley is on a collision course with No. 20 Marist should both reach the sectional final.
20. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 27-5 |
Last week: 20
The RedHawks take on Bloom (Chicago Heights) on Tuesday in the Glen Elleyn Sectional quarterfinals.
21. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Record: 23-9 |
Last week: 21
Audrey Flanagan had 15 kills and
Simone Roslon added 11 in a first-round sweep of Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) in the Southern Section Division 1 bracket.
22. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Record: 40-3 |
Last week: 23
The Dashers have a second-round Division 1 playoff match against Nicolet (Glendale) on Thursday. DSHA has won the past three Division 1 state titles.
23. Seton (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Record: 22-0 |
Last week: 24
The Saints' quest for a repeat Division 1 title runs through Lebanon on Wednesday before a potential regional final match against Mason on Nov. 1.
24. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)Record: 28-5 | Last week: NR
Record: 36-1 | Last week: NR
Junior
Shaye Witherspoon leads the Lancers with 537 kills who are riding a 21-match win streak into Tuesday's Class 5 District 2 championship match against Marquette (Chesterfield).
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