High school volleyball rankings: Southern California power Sierra Canyon headlines Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

After winning 41 games but coming up short of state title in 2025, Trailblazers begin 2026 with target on their back.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams
By
Aug 11, 2026, 12:30pm
The goal is lofty for the California team that heads the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings.

The expectation for Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) head coach Stefanie Wigfall is for her team to finish where it starts — No. 1.

With all but two players back from a 41-4 season, Sierra Canyon has its sites set on a second state championship after winning the Division II title in 2017. Leading the way for the Trailblazers are a quintet of All-Americans led by middle Kendall Omoruyi (committed to Nebraska), setter Lucky Fasavalu (Missouri) and outside hitters Eva Jeffries (Tennessee), Hanna McGinest (Texas Tech) and McKenna McIntosh (USC).

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), which upended Sierra Canyon last season on the way to its second Open Division state title in three seasons, starts at No. 2. Joining the SoCal powers in the top five are 25-time Kentucky state champion Assumption (Louisville), Texas powerhouse Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio) and newcomer on the national stage Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.).
1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
2025 record: 41-4, Southern California Open Division regional finalist
Key losses: Kalyani Olive, Ziggy Rex
Key returners: Lucky Fasavalu, Eva Jeffries, Hanna McGinest, McKenna McIntosh, Kendall Omoruyi, Olive Shum
Outlook: The Trailblazers return a host of hitters, a MaxPreps All-American setter and have a chip on their shoulder after coming up short in the quest for a state title last season.

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2025 record: 35-5, Open Division state champion
Key losses: Layli Ostovar, Lizzy Robinson, Sam Capinpin, Addison Coady
Key returners: Westley Matavao, Emma Kingston, Shewa Adefemiwa, Jael Smith, Kalea Lee, Savanah Capinpin
Outlook: With two Open Division state titles in the past three years and three since 2018, coach Dan O'Dell has built a juggernaut that will continue to roll on behind UCLA commit Matavao at the pin. 

3. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas)
2025 record: 32-4
Key losses: Cayleigh Cervenka
Key returners: Sydney Whisenton, Jocelyn Chambliss, Breya Dawson, Claire Bolten, Piper Pease, Ester Royal-Priest 
Outlook: An independent program, the Warriors are deep and will test themselves with one of the toughest schedules in the land. The tournament schedule includes the Ann Kang Invitational, Allen Texas Open, Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC. Juniors Bolten and Whisenton led the Warriors in kills last season while seniors Dawson and Royal-Priest also are a key part of the offense. Whisenton also led the team in assists.

4. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
2025 record: 40-4, State champion
Key losses: Emily Keiran, Jillian Bohannon, Ella Askin
Key returners: Brooke Codey, Julia Lee, Taylor Price, Carla Hooe, Emily Poteraj, Addison Hurley
Outlook: Losing Keiran and Bohannon would be problematic for most programs but coach Ron Kordes has won 25 state titles and reloads with a stacked stable of hitters.

5. Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.)
2025 record: 26-5, Class 2A state semifinalist
Key losses: Jenna Langmo, Caroline Vargas
Key returners: Ellie Enger, Kennedy Langmo, Kaleigh Langmo, Avery Herman, Olivia Sosa, Ashlynne Fowinkle, Ileana Aviles
Outlook: Texas A&M commit Isabel Incinelli joins an already-solid Rams lineup as they make the leap into the top 10 to start the season. Orangewood will test itself with trips to Durango and the Nike TOC before looking for a Florida title.

6. Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
2025 record: 34-5
Key losses: None
Key returners: Nyla Livings, Naomi Livings, Nia Livings, Anya Baklenko, Peyton Robinson, Elizabeth Kowalchyk
Outlook: Injuries and a young roster kept the Lions from winning a state title in 2025. Middle Nyla Livings is back after 483 kills last season along with sisters Naomi and Nia. Baklenko hammered 333 kills and freshman Robinson was second on the team with 343 kills.

7. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)
2025 record: 35-2, Class 6A state champion
Key losses: Vivian Hickman, Mattea Saunders, Selah O'Connor, Allison Dunnion
Key returners: Tessa Larkin, Amari Frazier, Sahmone Wadsworth, Annabelle Ross
Outlook: Stanford commit Larkin is one of the best hitters in the game and returns for a senior season looking for the state title three-peat. Xavier College Prep will prepare for the state tournament with appearances at Durango and Nike TOC.

8. Allen (Texas)
2025 record: 37-7
Key losses: Kennedy Crayton, Emily Capangpangan, Campbell Sheffield
Key returners: Maya Ogbogu, Olivia Kitur, Sayge Chandler, Katie Wawersich, Soleil Rhodes, Gaby Wenger, Landry McRae
Outlook: The Eagles return six hitters with at least 180 kills led by recent Texas A&M commit Ogbogu. She hammered 444 kills as a sophomore and provides a 1-2 punch with Kitur. Chandler can be a wall in the middle. Replacing Sheffield at libero is a must.

9. Highland Park (Dallas, Texas)
2025 record: 43-8, Conference 5A Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Gigi Whann, Lydia Fisher, Brooklyn Bailey
Key returners: Sarah Floyd, Taylor Toomay, Allie Hudgins, Anna Lee, Marlee Roehm
Outlook: The Scots should be among the tallest and most offensively-minded teams in the nation. Floyd is coming off a 380-kill sophomore year. The addition of 6-foot-2 freshman Annabelle Strohben adds even more height to the reigning state champion.

10. Harrisburg (S.D.)
2025 record: 35-2, Class AA state champion
Key losses: Gabi Zachariasen, Kya Keegan, Emma Masselink, Lindsay Langner
Key returners: Josalyn Samuels, Bergen Stiff, Julia Masselink, Kennedy Kokenge, Francesca Barnett
Outlook: Nebraska commit Samuels will set the table for hitters Stiff and Masselink Harrisburg's bid for a fifth straight title. Class of 2030 outside Brynlee Zachariasen looks to keep the family tradition alive for the Tigers.

11. Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.)
2025 record: 38-5
Key losses: Finley Krystkowiak, Sam Krystkowiak
Key returners: Jaycee Mack, Emery Gonzalez, Parker Herrin, Lila Green, Kenna Wilkinson, Stella Delgadillo, Dylan Kupiec
Outlook: After ending Cathedral Catholic's reign in the San Diego Section, the Falcons are again deep and looking to go deep in the postseason behind Hawaii-bound hitter Mack, Santa Clara pledge Gonzalez at setter and Kansas commit Green at libero. Longtime coach Brennan Dean announced Monday that he was stepping away and handing the reins to Noly Mon.

12. Blue Valley West (Stilwell, Kan.)
2025 record: 35-4, Class 6A state champion
Key losses: Carlie Pandjaris
Key returners: Peyton Kubik, Jensen Kubik, Nyah Harris, Aliyah Harris, Abby Pendergraph, Sasha Cromer
Outlook: The Kubik sisters combined for more than 750 kills while Rice commit Aliyah Harris added another 245. Sister and fellow future Owl Nyah Harris had 536 assists and Sasha Comer added 441.

13. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
2025 record: 28-9
Key losses: Sophia Johnson, Lauren Hanson, Kensley Hennessy, Madyson McCarthy
Key returners: Jojo Wilson, Baylee Wilson, Olivia Greenwood, Samantha Saba, Ava Laverty, Sierra Aswad, Zoe Merz, Emilie LaSala
Outlook: The Wilson sisters give the Dons a 1-2 hitting punch while Boston College commit Saba is a steadying force at libero along with Utah pledge Laverty in the back row. LaSala and Merz complement the hitting of the Jojo and Baylee Wilson. 

14. Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.)
2025 record: 31-9, Class A state champion
Key losses: Kami Dyrstad, Maddie Larsen, Dani Vallinch, Ella Eymann
Key returners: Lyric Judson, Makenna Sanders, Finley Moone, Kambria Balls, Maddox Graves, Tess Solomon
Outlook: The Titans return a plethora of hitters led by Florida Gulf Coast commit Judson as she, Sanders, Moone, Balls and Graves combined for more than 1,200 kills.

2025 record: 38-1, Class B state champion
Key losses: Carlie Talbott
Key returners: Allie Bornschlegl, Malorie Boesiger, Kaelynn Lottman, Loryn Piening, London Meints, Makinley Ramsey
Outlook: A stacked lineup, including Nebraska commit setter Boesiger and South Dakota State pledge Bornschlegl at pin, looks for a repeat. 

16. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
2025 record: 36-5, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Elayna Davidson, Elise Bocanegra, Cassidy Cage, Mollie Berry
Key returners: Maggie Kurpeikis, Haven Enselman, Ari Janowiak, Taylor Berg, Kelly Ryan
Outlook: The quest for a three-peat begins with Michigan commit Kurpeikis and sophomore setter Enselman, who earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America honors last season.

17. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee, Wis.)
2025 record: 44-4, Division 1 state runner-up
Key losses: Maddie Brown, Abigail Buckner, Callie Carr
Key returners: Teagan Lochler, Harper Wendlick, Aubrey Olson, Maia Kerry, Brooke Umbarger
Outlook: The Dashers had their run of three straight Division 1 state titles snapped last season but look to get back atop the podium behind juniors Lochler and Wendlick, sophomore Kerry and Umbarger. The program has lost just 10 matches in the past four seasons.

2025 record: 39-7
Key losses: Ryea Jackson
Outlook: The Pantherettes have hitting to battle with anyone led by Class of 2029 stud Smith, who dropped 721 kills last season. Polley and Hodge augment the hitting while Pinter and Carpenter set up the offense.

19. Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)
2025 record: 38-7
Key losses: Sam Destler, Elle Vandeweghe, Declan Eastman, Olivia Penske, Frankie Jones
Key returners: Makenna Barnes, Katelyn Oerlemans, Leighton Devereux
Outlook: Head coach Kari Klein's program has produced player after player over the past decade. Northwestern-bound Barnes brings the heat and has the most lethal serve in the high school game.

20. Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
2025 record: 43-5-2, Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Cree Hollier, Ella Andrews
Outlook: The Marlins look to run it back for a fourth title for coach Loretta Vogel behind Penn State commit Kalczynski, who dropped 529 kills in 2025. Sophomore Easton guides an offense with plenty of firepower after dishing up 1,123 assists last season. 

21. Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
2025 record: 37-0, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Bailey Sinish, Addi Shipley, Lola Sasse, Lauren Peters
Key returners: Elli Oskey, Sarah Stegall, Cala Haffner, Katelyn Peters, Paityn Lauck
Outlook: Coach Pandy Sinish said the graduation losses are opportunities for the remaining core to step into bigger roles. Haffner at libero will be a defensive anchor that will take some of the growing pains and pressure off the offense.

22. 'Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii)
2025 record: 25-7, Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Bailey Nakanelua, Maddix Taniguchi
Key returners: Taimane Ainu'u, Poema Kalama-Kingma, Georgie Lee, Annaura Reid-Gillet
Outlook: USA Volleyball veteran Ainu'u is one of the best players in the Class of 2028 and returns along with beach volleyball commits Lee (USC) and Kalama-Kingma (Oregon). A big test will be the Ann Kang Invitational, which brings in three other ranked teams including No. 1 Sierra Canyon, No. 4 Cornerstone Christian and No. 9 Highland Park.

23. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
2025 record: 42-0, Conference 6A Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Kylie Kleckner, Ashlyn Seay, Lexi Proctor
Key returners: Sophie Peterson, Savannah Sterna, Kherynton Chinnis, Kaitlyn Francis, Sasha Lanis, Mallory McMahon
Outlook: The reigning MaxPreps National Champions lost their two leading hitters in Kleckner and Seay but National Player of the Year Peterson returns for her senior season. Byron Nelson is looking for an impressive third straight state title.

24. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
2025 record: 31-1, Class 3A state champion
Key losses: Sam Karjala, Peyton Slone, Lilianna Finocchi
Key returners: Sophia Puleo, Noelle Sarigumba, Maya Talley, Olivia Badyna
Outlook: The Warriors look for their next ring and third since 2021 behind Baylor pledge Puleo after 385 kills in 2025. Wofford pledge Badyna holds down the defense at libero, Sarigumba runs the offense at setter and Talley looks to build on 135 kills as a freshman.

25. Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.)
2025 record: 42-3, Private School state champion
Key losses: Sloan Balsley, Katy Scott, Carson Pressley
Key returners: Kari Knotts, Margaux Godfrey, Caroline Quackenbush, Kate Kennedy
Outlook: Knotts, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, is one of the most electric players in the country. She powered 631 kills as Lovett won the state title in a five-set battle. Senior libero Godfrey is headed to Harvard and anchors a defense that lets Knotts cook.

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