Preseason rankings are usually just a guessing game based on prior knowledge. In the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 preseason volleyball rankings, we managed to correctly pick 12 teams that eventually finished in the final Xcellent 25. Not bad.
Of course that also means we got 13 teams incorrect. Not good. Among the teams that proved to be the big surprises on the season included Palo Alto (Calif.), Lyons (La Grange, Ill.), Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) and Apex (N.C.), all of whom finished among the Xcellent 25 after not being ranked at the beginning of the season.
That being said, here's an early look - an eight months early look - at the top ten teams to watch for the 2011 season. Note: eight states are represented here with only Texas boasting a pair of teams.
Amber and Kadie Rolfzen,
Papillion-LaVista South
Courtesy of School
The Titans are the clear No. 1 to start the 2011 season. After finishing undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the Xcellent 25 for 2010, Papillion-LaVista South returns two of the nation's top sophomores in
Amber Rolfzen and
Kadie Rolfzen, both of whom were MaxPreps All-Americans. Another sophomore, setter
Kelly Hunter, also earned all-state accolades and gives the Titans three of the state's top players for the next two years.
2. Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.), 30-2
The Buccaneers have won two straight Florida 3A championships and figure to be the top team in Florida next year, if not the nation. Berkeley Prep returns potential national player of the year
Jordan Burgess at outside hitter and
MacKenzie Dagostino at setter. Burgess is already a two-time 3A state player of the year and she added Gatorade State Player of the Year honors to her resume this season.
3. Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas), 46-3
Perhaps the surprise team in Texas this year, Lovejoy easily won the 3A state championship and also defeated the 4A state champ, Lake Travis, and the 5A champion, Hebron. Coach Ryan Mitchell was named the MaxPreps National Coach of the Year and he returns 12 of 14 lettermen from this year's squad, including all-state setter
Andie Malloy and 3A championship game MVP middle blocker
Ebony Nwanebu.
4. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 49-3
The Cavaliers return nearly every major contributor from this year's 4A state championship team, including all-state players
Katy Beals at setter and
Amy Neal at outside hitter. All-district standouts
Piper Toler,
Sierra Patrick and
Cassie Wang also return.
5. Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), 38-4
With 20 state championships to their credit, it's hard not to include the Stags. The fact that 5A state MVP
Shelby Workman returns along with all-state outside hitter
Anna Church makes Bishop Miege a top ten team again next season.
6. Mercy (Louisville, Ky.), 35-6
With Assumption losing the bulk of its state championship team, look for the balance of power in Louisville to shift to Mercy. The Jaguars, who won the state championship in 2009, return three all-state performers in
Amanda Crask,
Lauren Schneidtmiller and freshman
Courtney Crable.
7. Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 54-1
The Greyhounds have won two straight state championships and are very capable of winning a third. Despite losing the tandem of Mary Hoey and Danielle Thompson, the Greyhounds still have MaxPreps All-American
Mary Hannah Arrington back at outside hitter along with 6-4
Katie Bange in the middle and
Mikaela Tracy at setter.
Maddie Kuppe, Palo Alto
Photo by Dennis Lee
The Vikings were the surprise team in California this year, upsetting Long Beach Poly in the Division I state championship game. Palo Alto won't sneak up on anyone next season as they return five starters from this year's squad, including 6-5
Melanie Wade and 6-2
Maddie Kuppe.
9. Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.), 21-2
The Crusaders are always in the thick of things and they have won two straight North Carolina 3A state championships. Former Gatorade State Player of the Year
Madison Bugg also returns for her senior season, looking to claim her third straight state championship match MVP award.
10. Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.), 39-0
Have to include the Owls on this list. Next year they look to add to their national record of 22 all-time state championships. They will also go for their 15th straight Indiana 2A state title, just one off the national record of 16 in a row. Having Gatorade State Player of the Year
Taylor Morey back to lead the way will help.
