High school volleyball rankings: Texas private school powerhouse Prestonwood Christian headlines Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Key losses: Jadyn Livings, Mikala Young, Camille Edwards, Kennedy Washington
Key returners: Macaria Spears, Gillian Pitts, Nyla Livings, Naomi Livings, Taylor Cook, Taylor Clarke
Outlook: Head coach Ryan Mitchell's team is 7-1 with wins over two top 10 teams. Spears, the daughter of former Dallas Cowboy Marcus Spears, is one of the best hitters in the game.

2. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), 32-5
Key losses: Anna Koster
Key returners: Ashlyn Seay, Sydnee Peterson, Sophee Peterson, Emily Housknecht, Kylie Kleckner
Outlook: Already 9-1, the Bobcats opened the season by winning the Ann Kang Invitational in Honolulu with wins over multiple nationally-ranked teams.

3. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 33-0
Key losses: Lauren Harden, Sophie Ledbetter, Macy Hinshaw
Key returners: Lindsey Mangelson, Ava Hunter, Kaylyn Christy, Madison Miles, Merritt Sliwa, Bre Morgan
Outlook: The Royals are two-time defending Class 4A champions and though they lose Harden, the MaxPreps National Player of the Year, and All-American Hinshaw, coach Jason Young has more than enough firepower in the three-peat quest.

4. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), 39-4
Key losses: Charlie Fuerbringer, Chloe Hynes
Key returners: Audrey Flanagan, Taylor Deckert, Simone Roslon
Outlook: The Mustangs went 6-2 at the Ann Kang Invitational last weekend, falling to Byron Nelson and Redondo Union.

5. Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 39-3
Key losses: Ava Novak, Christine Pullen
Key returners: Lynney Tarnow, Aniya Warren, Audrey Asleson, Gabby Stasys, Ellie Stiernagle
Outlook: The Redwings fell in the Class 4A final last season but return a majority of that squad, including MaxPreps All-Americans hitter Tarnow and libero Warren.

6. Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas), 34-10
Key losses: Bethany Wu, McKenna Brand
Key returners: Gentry Barker, Shelby Burriss, Skylar Jackson, Anna Barr, SadieJane Hand, Brooke Starr
Outlook: The Leopards are off to a 6-2 start in the quest for an 11th state title after grabbing the Class 5A crown in 2023.

7. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 37-5
Key losses: Charlotte Moriarty, Chloe Smith,
Key returners: Emilee Fuller, Kristen Simon, Bailey Blair
Outlook: The Rockets won their 23rd state championship last season and return a core of that team.

8. Cypress Ranch (Houston, Texas), 35-6
Key losses: Taryn Gilreath, Gabrielle Eads
Key returners: Taylor Porter, Kaylee Parker, Zora Bello, Sarah Rivich
Outlook: The Mustangs are off to a 9-0 start, including a victory over last year’s 6A champion Grand Oaks, as the top three hitters from last year’s team lead the charge as well as freshman Sade Bello.

9. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas), 34-7
Key losses: Grace Carroll, Maria Avendano, Natalia Jackson,
Key returners: Megan Fitch, Kaia Thiele, Aniya Hall, Amaya Tolentino
Outlook: The Warriors finished No. 24 last season playing an aggressive national slate and returns a pair of MaxPreps All-Americans in Fitch and Thiele.

10. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 43-2
Key losses: Isabel Clark, Cymarah Gordon, Julia Kakkis, Malyssa Cawa
Key returners: Layli Ostovar, Presley Kiffin, Emma Kingston, Addison Coady
Outlook: The reigning MaxPreps National Champions lost a few key cogs but have Ostovar back. Transfer Westley Montavlo will be a bonus once eligible.

11. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee, Wis.), 47-1
Key losses: Sophia Wendlick
Key returners: Madison Quest, Maddie Brown, Olivia Durst, Jordan Czajkowski
Outlook: The two-time defending Division 1 champions return most of the squad that's gone 90-7 during that span.

12. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), 34-5
Key losses: Jenna Manes, Tiana Owens, Amanda Saeger, Ayva Moi
Key returners: Maya Evens, Mae Kordas, Madyson McCarthy
Outlook: The Dons are two years removed from their national championship but the rock-solid defense of Evens is stabilizing along with offense of Kordas, who elevated her game this summer in club. Jojo Wilson and Kale'a Lee also will have an impact.

13. Grand Oaks (Spring, Texas), 50-1
Key losses: Jaela Auguste, Caelyn Emmerling, Audrey Terry
Key returners: Samara Coleman, Halle Thompson, Samantha Sampson, Cali Reece
14. Alpharetta (Ga.), 38-3
Key losses: Logan Wiley, Jala Drayton,
Key returners: Brooke Boyles, Madison McLin, Abigail Li, Kailey Leonard
Outlook: The Raiders blitzed through the 6A field on the way to the title last year, dropping one set in the playoffs. Gone is Wiley, but Li returns after 1,153 assists.

15. Roncalli (Indianapolis, Ind.), 30-4
Key losses: Aly Kirkhoff
Key returners: Logan Bell, Lydia Stahley, Mackenzie Kruer, Lily Jones, Addie Haberthy
Outlook: Odds-on favorites in 3A after reaching the 4A semifinals last season. Bell, a MaxPreps All-American, is a force and hammered 409 kills last year.

16. Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 29-13
Key losses: Paisley Douglas
Key returners: Abbie Hagedorn, Addison West, Avery White, Kiera Link, Ellie Ortmeier, Meghan Anderson
Outlook: The Skyhawks won their ninth state title last season and Renee Saunders returns nearly every piece of that championship squad in the push for 10.

17. Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.), 31-2
Key losses: Naomi Chinchar
Key returners: Lydia Chinchar, Sarah Dibbs-Frantz, Elena Dibbs-Frantz, Mattea Casale
Outlook: The Patriots have to replace the nearly 1,000 assists from Chinchar but there is plenty of firepower and defense for the defending 3A champions.

18. Highland Park (Dallas, Texas), 31-12
Key losses: Sadie Gruber, Harper Hall,
Key returners: Alexandra Richter, Isabella Ocampo, Gigi Whann, Brooklyn Bailey
Outlook: The Scots showed well at the Ann Kang Invitational, handing No. 2 Byron Nelson its lone loss. Richter dropped 676 kills last season.

19. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas), 31-13
Key losses: Taryn Barnes, Cat Millsap
Key returners: Layla Austin, Kinsley Young, MB Morse, Teddy-Raye Ewers, Parker Tuttle, Blue Anderson
Outlook: The Dragons are 5-3 this year after reaching the 6A Regional semifinals last season. Most of that squad returns.

20. Plant (Tampa, Fla.), 25-3
Key losses: Bella Lee
Key returners: Maggie Dostic, Lara Matta, Kaylee Peper, Samantha Karjala, Sophia Dostic
Outlook: The reigning Class 7A champions have nearly all the pieces back, including Preseason MaxPreps All-American Maggie Dostic.

21. Marist (Chicago, Ill.), 33-5
Key losses: Jessica Kurpeikis, Briana Hill
Key returners: Bella Bullington, Elayna Davidson, Maddie Berry, Cassidy Cage
Outlook: Had an early exit from last year’s Class 4A bracket but Northwestern commit Bullington is back for her junior year after earning first team all-state honors with 480 kills.

22. Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.), 37-5
Key losses: Ellie White, Samantha Falk, Ellery Rees
Key returners: Peyton Heatherly, Sydney Buchanan, Abbey Williams
Outlook: One state coach said "Death, taxes and McAuley being good at volleyball." Though the Mighty Macs lost White to graduation there is enough left to look for the Class 4A repeat.

23. Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.), 30-14-3
Key losses: Angie Butler
Key returners: Campbell Flynn, Kate Kalczynski, Maya Zarow, Cree Hollier, Jillian Collins
Outlook: The Marlins return all but one player from last year's Division I title team and add transfer Ella Andrews, a 6-foot-4 middle, and 6-3 freshman sister McKenzie Andrews.

24. North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.), 42-9
Key losses: Nikol Antova, Imani Mensah, Titomi Adeyinka
Key returners: Sarah Boyle, Carys Sanabria, Olivia Boyle, Hannah Nicholson
Outlook: The Warriors are 8-2 with losses to No. 14 Alpharetta and Sequoyah.

25. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 26-14
Key losses: Ella Zimmerman
Key returners: Abby Zimmerman, Addi Junk
Outlook: The Sea Hawks impressed at Ann Kang, going 6-2 with wins over Mira Costa and 'Iolani.

On the bubble: Norris (Firth, Neb.), Walton (Marietta, Ga.), Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.), Sequoyah (Canton, Ga.), 'Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii), Tompkins (Katy, Texas), Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.), Pope (Marietta, Ga.), Rocklin (Calif.)