High school volleyball: Best team in all 50 states for 2023

The high school volleyball season is underway or getting ready to toss up the first serve across the country. Last week, MaxPreps highlighted the top high school volleyball player in each state. We continue our cross-country look by identifying the top team in each state.

There are state champions looking to add another banner to the gym, runners-up looking to avenge last season's defeat and teams who gained experience last season and now look to put it all together. Read on to find out who got the nod in your state. Alabama — Bayside Academy (Daphne)
Last season: 48-14, Class 6A state champion
The action in the Yellowhammer State should be fierce as four programs could be considered odds-on favorites to grab titles, but the preseason nod goes to Bayside Academy. After winning their 21st state title, the Admirals return a host of standouts looking to add to coach Ann Schilling's legacy. Setter Blakeley Robbins is back after nearly 1,500 assists (and 150 kills) along with their top four hitters from last season Haley Robinson (439 kills), Misty Kate Smith (427 kills), Maysie Douglas (427 kills) and Georgia McInnis (242 kills). But don't overlook McGill-Toolen (Mobile) with Chelsea Daffin, Emma Moore, Paris McQuirter and Mamie Fromdahl. Bob Jones (Madison) and Spanish Fort also should be in the mix at the end.

Alaska — South Anchorage (Anchorage)
Last season: 30-23-3, fifth-place finish in Class 4A
The Wolverines return the state's best player in libero Marija Wunnicke. She teams with setter Ellie Kleven (748 assists), senior hitters Allison Ward (191 kills) and Kayla Cagle (79 kills). Kenai Central (Kenai) in Class 3A is looking for a repeat behind Emma Beck.

Arizona — Corona del Sol (Tempe)
Last season: 39-5, 6A state champion
The Aztecs lost their top two hitters in Kierstyn Barton and Ella Lomigora but Alyssa Aguayo (360) and Maggie Beauer (206) look to fill those roles. Setter Julia Owens is back after tossing up 1,282 assists along with sophomore defensive specialist Erin Clark (445 digs). Hamilton (Chandler), Horizon (Scottsdale), Millennium (Goodyear) and Sunnyslope (Phoenix) all could factor in as the season progresses.

Arkansas — Southside (Fort Smith)
Last season: 31-8-1, Class 6A runner-up
There could be a changing of the guard after Fayetteville graduated MaxPreps All-Americans Brooke Rockwell and Jessica Phelan. The Mavericks, who fell in straight sets to the Bulldogs in the final, return their four top hitters Lydia Pitts (384), Sophia Neihouse (306), Gabriela Dupree (302) and Reyleigh Twist (174), along with setter Mileah Neal (454 assists).

California — Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach)
Last season: 38-5, CIF Southern California Open Division finalist

Colorado — Thompson Valley (Loveland)
Last season: 27-2, Class 4A state champion
Connecticut — Southington
Last season: 34-7-1, LL semifinalist
The Blue Knights fell to unbeaten Darien in the LL semis but return a trove of hitters — Cami Wessels (326 kills) Gabrielle Ferreira (199), Natalee Grindle (194), Alyssa Ferreira (192) and Katrina Possidento (142). Darien, RHAM (Hebron) and Bristol Central (Bristol) all should be strong contenders for titles.

Delaware — St. Mark's (Wilmington)
Last season: 17-2, state runner-up
Maddi Way is back after 582 assists as a freshman. Taylor Holly is a top-notch libero with 383 digs last season and senior Ava Borcky takes over as the focus hitter after 145 kills as a junior.

District of Columbia — Georgetown Day
Last season: 22-3, DCSAA champion
The Mighty Hoppers beat St. John's 3-1 in last year's final and the two should battle all season for District supremacy. Georgetown Day returns hitters Jada Aksu (198 kills) and Zoe Ryu (164 kills). Setter Clara Yu is also back after 523 assists and libero Aaliyah Howell was excellent on defense. St. John's returns hitters Racquel Frazier, Morgan Reeves and Leana Gould along with setters Avery Prendergast and Wynn Eaton.

Florida — Venice
Last season: 22-4, Class 7A state champion
The Indians finished No. 20 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 and return top hitter and All-American Summer Kohler (332 kills). Along with Kohler are fellow junior Charley Goberville (253 kills) and senior Hilary Hupp (152 kills) as well as junior libero Brighton Ferguson. One team to spy is Viera, which benefited from the transfer of Izzy Starck, a 2022 MaxPreps All-American from Colorado.

Georgia — Pope (Marietta)
Last season: 45-5, AAAAAA state champion
There are more than a handful of great teams in the Peach State as evidenced by three programs finishing in the MaxPreps Top 25 last season. Pope returns All-American Sophie Harvey (536 kills) along with junior hitter Ellis Crawford (340 kills), MaxPreps Underclass All-American setter Cooper Abney (1,132 assists) and libero Dayla Ortiz. Lambert (Suwanee), Sequoyah (Canton), Pace Academy (Atlanta), Walton (Marietta) and Lovett (Atlanta) all are ones to watch as well.

Hawaii — Kamehameha Hawai'i (Kea'au)
Last season: 18-1, Division 1 runner-up
A lot of talent graduated from the islands but the Warriors return first-team all state hitter Maela Honma. She helped the Big Island school to the title with 41 kills over three playoff matches. 'Iolani (Honolulu), Punahou (Honolulu) and Kahuku are other teams to watch.

Idaho — Skyview (Nampa)
Last season: 22-5, Class 4A state champion
The Hawks didn't lose to an in-state opponent last season while navigating a national schedule. They return sophomore hitter Bellamie Beus (153 kills) and setter Alex Bower (578 assists).

Illinois — Mother McAuley (Chicago)
Last season: 39-3, Class 4A state champion
The Mighty Macs rode to the title behind Michigan commit Ellie White. The MaxPreps All-American willed her team to the title with 20 of her 542 kills. Fellow senior Ellery Rees returns (148 kills).

Indiana — Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers)
Last season: 34-1, Class 4A state champion
The Royals return Florida commit Lauren Harden (337 kills) and Santa Clara-bound setter Macy Hinshaw (751 assists) from the No. 4 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Ball State commit Sophie Ledbetter at libero and Memphis commit Tiffany Snook at middle give them a well-rounded attack to battle programs like Yorktown, which fell to the Royals in an epic final last season.

Iowa — Dike-New Hartford (Dike)
Last season: 40-2, Class 2A runner-up
The Wolverines return a host of talent as Louisville commit Payton Petersen (515 kills), Northern Iowa commit Jadyn Petersen (315 kills) and Maryn Bixby (201 kills) are back. They need to replace 1,000 assists from graduated senior Madelyn Norton.

Kansas — Olathe Northwest (Olathe)
Last season: 26-9
There's more returning talent in the Sunflower State than just about anywhere and the Nebraska commit Skyler Pierce leads that bunch. She hammered 488 kills last season and returns with Jillian Huckabey (257 kills, 455 assists), Addisen Horn (296 assists), Lauren Roediger (111 kills) and Caroline Clayton (105 kills). Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park) with Alea Goolsby and Kelsey Schenck, St. James Academy (Lenexa) with Reese Messer and Blue Valley North (Overland Park) with Janelle Green should make it a battle each night.

Kentucky — Notre Dame Academy (Park Hill)
Last season: 35-5, state champion
It's hard to bet against 22-time state champion Assumption (Louisville) but the Pandas have won two of the last three state titles (there's only one champion in the Bluegrass State). They get the nod since the Rockets have to replace more than 1,000 assists from graduated senior and MaxPreps All-American Whitney Woodrow. NDA returns junior hitters Ava Tilden (276 kills) and Riley McCloskey (223 kills) along with setter Lauren Ott (634 assists) and defensive specialist Julia Grace. They add sophomore hitter Gracie Portwood.

Louisiana — St. Mary's Dominican (New Orleans)
Last season: 46-3, Division I champion
Camryn Chatellier returns after earning MaxPreps state POY and Underclass All-American honors after 402 kills. She's joined by senior setter Gabby Marcello (1,285 assists, 268 digs) and libero Lauren Pipitone (376 digs).

Maine — Gorham
Last season: 14-3, Class A runner-up
The Rams return a host of talent, including hitters Amber Bretton, Meryk Lewellen, Summer Gammon and Lillian Andreasen along with setter Sophia Diphilippo.

Maryland — The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington)
Last season: 25-2, WCAC runner-up
The lone losses were to powers Bishop O'Connell and Flint Hill. Ohio State commit Emmi Sellman returns for her senior season after 339 kills (4.8 per set) last season. She's joined by senior setter Jaylyn Simon (614 assists).

Massachusetts — Westborough
Last season: 21-0, Division 2 state champion
The Rangers dropped five sets all season en route to the title and return 6-foot senior hitter Quinn Anderson after 322 kills (5.3 per set) and 144 digs. They must find a setter to replace Shannon Clark's production, but there are a trio of young hitters with championship experience in Georgia Tyrrell, Maggie Cardin and Annabelle Semeter along with libero Addy Moore.

Michigan — Marian (Bloomfield Hills)
Last season: 49-1, Division I state champion
The loss of MaxPreps All-American setter Ava Sarafa is big, but it's hard to pick against the three-time defending champion. Especially with leading hitter Izzy Busignani returning after hammering 531 kills as Marian finished No. 3 in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Northville is young and perhaps hungry after falling to the Mustangs in the title tilt.

Minnesota — Wayzata (Plymouth)
Last season: 30-4, Class 4A state champion
The Trojans rode the setting of MaxPreps state Player of the Year Stella Swenson's 888 assists to a trio of hitters returning — Olivia Swenson (389 kills), Avery Jesewitz (188 kills) and middle Katie Kelzenberg (165 kills).

Mississippi — Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Last season: 40-5, MAIS 6A state champion
The Raiders lose MaxPreps All-American Laken Laurendine but have plenty to fill the void in the quest to win a fifth straight title and ninth in the past decade. Jackson Academy is 187-28 in Melissa Denson's five-year tenure. She has hitters and middles in 6-2 freshman Carson Caraway, senior Ava Antonaros, junior Sophie Sosa and Meghan Ellis along with senior libero Kaylee Lowther and setter Harper Griffin.

Missouri — Liberty North (Liberty)
Last season: 31-6, third-place finish Class 5
Top-ranked state senior Carlie Cisneros leads the Eagles in 2023 looking to better their finish from last season. She pounded 534 kills in 2022 and is joined by junior hitters Mak Miller (176 kills) and McKenna Jacquin (151 kills) along with setters Lauren Wright (635 assists) and Emma Christian (495 assists).

Montana — Billings Senior (Billings)
Last season: 28-5, Class AA state champion
The Broncs have hitter Piper Jette (219 kills, 158 digs), Leela Ormsby (158 kills, 122 blocks) and Izzy Ping (104 kills) all back.

Nebraska — Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion)
Last season: 34-5, Class A state champion
The Titans' slate in 2022 was strong and national audiences got to see how good South Dakota commit Lauren Medeck is. She pounded a team-high 461 kills and teams with Morgan Bode (160 kills), junior setter Charlee Solomon (628 assists) and senior Kyla Dyrstad (581 assists). Not to be overlooked is Skutt Catholic (Omaha), which won its eighth straight state crown in 2022.

Nevada — Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Last season: 25-13, Class 5A semifinalist
Senior hitters Leilia Toailoa (434 kills) and Ashley Duckworth (287 kills) are back along with sophomore Ayanna Watson (317 kills). They have a duo tossing passes in sophomore Trinity Thompson (793 assists) and senior Taylor Treadwell (675 assists).

New Hampshire — Bedford
Last season: 26-1, Division 1 state champions
The Bulldogs return a quartet from their state championship team looking for the three-peat. MaxPreps state Player of the Year Lindsey Healey is back after pounding 352 kills with a .567 kill percentage along with 148 digs. Joining her are all-state selections McKenna O'Connell at setter, Lana McCarthy (a Purdue basketball commit) and Riley O'Connell.

New Jersey — Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township)
Last season: 29-1, Non-Public Group A champion
The Blue Eagles lose MaxPreps state Player of the Year Brookelyn Talmadge as well as legendary coach Maria Nolan, who retired after 19 seasons at IHA with a 1,101-116 record. Michelle Yoo takes over the program and has all-state pick Kalena Stavish back at setter ready to continue the legacy.

New Mexico — La Cueva (Albuquerque)
Last season: 27-0, Class 5A state champion
The back-to-back champions enter 2023 without MaxPreps state Player of the Year Ella Sanders but have three top hitters Victoria Marthaler (274 kills), Tea Kalajdzic (269 kills) and Sophie Diouf (138 kills) along with junior setter Karyna Werley (815 assists).

New York — Shenendehowa (Clifton Park)
Last season: 48-6-2, Class AA state champion
Reagan Ennist led the Empire State in kills as a sophomore with 497 and returns looking to lead the Plainsmen to back-to-back titles. They must replace Emma Paliwodznski's 1,100-plus assists but return hitters Sabrina Kinkaid (281 kills) and Genny Sala (202 kills) along with libero Kasia Barletta (651 digs). Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills) returns a quartet of hitters with more than 200 kills after going 36-9-4 last year and Sayville returns its top three hitters and setter after going 30-2-2.

North Carolina — Millbrook (Raleigh)
Last season: 29-1, Class 4A state champion
The top five hitters are back for the Wildcats including Kiki Horne, who dropped 522 kills last season. Breanna McMillan, who also sets, joins the state's best player along with Avery Grantham, Harper Nelson and Micah McKenzie.

North Dakota — Sheyenne (West Fargo)
Last season: 35-2, Class A state champion
The Mustangs' first title broke Century's stranglehold of eight banners in 12 years and they return talent in Mya Bloedow and Izzy Albrecht.

Ohio — Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati)
Last season: 25-3, Division 1 state champion
The Lions lose MaxPreps All-American Brooke Bultema but the defending champs return their next three top hitters including juniors Katie Gielas (249 kills) and Lindy Radaszewski (234 kills). Finding a setter to replace Lindsey Green's 995 assists is a must as Magnificat (Rocky River), Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (Chardon) and Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) all have strong returning groups also.

Oklahoma — Edmond Memorial (Edmond)
Last season: 25-4, Class 6A state champions
Kathrin Rowe, MVP of last year's postseason tournament, is back after posting 424 kills, 350 digs and 41 aces while also tossing 337 assists in a half season at setter. Senior hitter Madison Hathaway also is back for the Bulldogs as they look for the repeat while Jenks and Bishop Kelley (Tulsa) look to take them down.

Oregon — Jesuit (Portland)
Last season: 36-1-1, Class 6A runner-up
The Crusaders fell to Sheldon in four sets and return all-state honorable mention juniors Jackie Carle (1,073 assists) and libero Addie Azavedo (342 digs) along with senior hitter Lilly Lansing and sophomore Jada Ann Marie Johnson.

Pennsylvania — Lower Merion (Ardmore)
Last season: 22-5-2, Class 4A quarterfinalist
North Allegheny will probably reload after winning its sixth straight PIAA 4A title but losing Mia Tuman, Ella Deeter and Madie Fickess means the door is possibly open. The Aces fell to runner-up Garnet Valley but return hitters Brooke Johnson (330 kills), Norah Cotter (146 kills) and Jenna DeTemple (124 kills) along with libero Zoe Brown (439 digs).

Rhode Island — North Kingstown
Last season: 18-2, Division 1 state champion
The Skippers survived an upset attempt from upstart Portsmouth in the semis before MaxPreps state Player of the Year Annie Draper led them to the banner. She returns for a senior season after pounding 206 kills with 152 digs in 2022. Junior Tessa LaFrenier, who steadied the ship in the semifinal win, is back after 112 kills, and senior setter Ella Maack (510 assists) also returns.

South Carolina — South Aiken (Aiken)
Last season: 30-8-1, Class AAAA semifinalist
Hitters Annie Dziczkowski (382 kills), Anna Karius (278 kills), Cayla Gilmore (165 kills) and Marlena Lee (165 kills) return along with setter Sydney Green (891 assists) and libero Katie Roberts (373 digs).

South Dakota — Harrisburg
Last season: 28-3, Class AA state champion
While O'Gorman's Bergen Reilly has been the best player in the state for the past four years, the Tigers are the defending champs and bring back sophomore hitter Gabi Zacharisen (347 kills) along with juniors Kaelyn Snoozy (228 kills) and Karalynn Leach (170 kills).

Tennessee — Cleveland
Last season: 49-5, Division I Class AAA state champion
MaxPreps All-American Lauren Hurst returns for the Blue Raiders after posting a team-high 649 kills as a sophomore.  Addison Brock pounded 171 kills as a freshman and senior setter Kinslee McGowan is back after tossing 1,256 assists.

Last season: 40-1, TAPPS Class 6A state champion
The Lions were flat-out dominant last season and might be better this year. Junior Macaria Spears (544 kills) and senior USC commit Jadyn Livings (397 kills) headline a roster that returns nearly everyone and adds three more Division I freshmen and transfer prospects. An aggressive national schedule will test this group.

Utah — Lone Peak (Highland)
Last season: 25-8, Class 6A state champion
The Knights overcame their youth to continue the program's recent excellence and win a second straight title and fifth in sixth seasons. Coach Paula Jardine begins 2023 with her top four hitters back — Zoey Burgess (342 kills), Greta Brown (280 kills), Hallie Layton (224 kills), Cami Christiansen (195 kills) — as well as libero Trinidy Tien.

Vermont — Essex (Essex Junction)
Last season: 17-0, VPA champions
The Hornets were young last season but handled the pressure sweeping Champlain Valley Union in the final. Izzy Nerad returns along with Jocelyn Ray and setter Reese Gregory.

Virginia — Flint Hill (Oakton)
Last season: 36-0, VISAA Division 1 state champions
The Huskies steamrolled to the title, losing one set in a 3-1 win over Norfolk Academy in the final. Coach Patrice Arrington returns a plethora of talent including Pittsburgh commit Ryla Jones (193), sister Renee Jones (187 kills) along with Mickhaila Murray (281 kills, 372 receives). Natalie Nguyen and Isabelle Bardin combined for more than 900 assists and Zoe Huang was stellar as a freshman at libero with 404 digs and 369 receives.

Washington — Puyallup
Last season: 36-1, third-place finish in Class 4A
The Vikings had their perfect season derailed in the semifinals by Lake Stevens but have the state's best hitter returning in Danielle Brown (301 kills). Junior setter Reese Sheppard also is back after 1,163 assists last season and Puyallup surrounds Brown with hitters Rebecca Wilber (191 kills) and Leilah Lemalu (138 kills).

West Virginia — Musselman (Inwood)
Last season: 41-9-1, Class AAA state champion
MaxPreps state POY Hannah Howard is gone but junior hitter Ada McCoy (421 kills) and senior Keleigh Chrisman (217 kills) are back. They also return setter Kendall Watcher (673 assists) and libero Ava Dunnigan (546 receives, 463 digs).

Wisconsin — Oconomowoc
Last season: 39-2, Division 1 runner-up
Divine Savior Holy Angels clipped the Raccoons in a five-set thriller for the Division 1 title but MaxPreps All-American Lilly Wagner returns with a youth movement for Oconomowoc. Wagner had 1,075 assists and 114 kills and has hitters Anna Bjork (265 kills), Marlee Sivak (224 kills) and Olivia Kwiatkowski (179 kills) along with libero Bays Keller (427 receives, 379 digs) looking to bring home a banner.

Wyoming — Laramie
Last season: 27-8, third-place finish in Class 4A
The Plainsmen return a young team that took eventual champion Kelly Walsh to five sets in the state playoffs. Leading the charge for Laramie is Maddy Stucky (892 assists, 143 kills) along with junior hitters Savanna Steiert (307 kills) and Michon Sailors (275 kills) along with sophomore hitter Tessa Dodd (178 kills).