Assumption is nation's top volleyball team

The 2010 high school volleyball season begins with two major assumptions.

The first is that defending mythical national champion Archbishop Mitty, which went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, will not be as strong as last year's powerhouse. The Monarchs lose all but one of the players who saw any major playing time last year as well as MaxPreps National Player of the Year Rachel Williams.

The second assumption is that the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association's assumption about Assumption is incorrect. The KVCA ranked the Rockets No. 3 in the state to start the 2010 season behind returning champion Mercy and runner-up Sacred Heart. Assumption didn't even reach the state tournament last year after being eliminated in the district tournament.

However the Rockets have won 14 of the past 18 state titles in Kentucky and with a national-best six seniors on the American Volleyball Coaches Association Senior Watch List, it's hard to overlook Assumption as the No. 1 team in the country to start the 2010 season.

Here's a look at the top 25 teams to start the season in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Volleyball National Rankings.:

MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL RANKINGS

1. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 34-5
The Rockets did not reach the state tournament last year, losing to Sacred Heart in the district championships. However Assumption returns 10 players from last year's team, including four that earned all-state honors. They include Jeni Houser (6-3, OH), Courtney Robison (5-10, S), Jackie Napper (5-7, DS) and Claire Gerwig (6-0, OH). The Rockets also placed Taylor Allgeier (5-10, OH) and Laura Purcell (6-1, OH) on the AVCA Senior Watch List. The Rockets also have good size among the younger players on the team with 6-2 freshman middle blocker Lauren Tutwiler and 6-3 sophomore middle blocker Taylor Paulson. Assumption is already off to a strong start with wins over Presentation and Indianapolis Cathedral.

2. Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.), 29-3
The defending Florida 3A state champions return the bulk of last year's team, including junior hitter Jordan Burgess (6-0), who was a member of the U.S. Youth National team and led the Buccaneers in kills last year with 363. MacKenzie Dagostino, daughter of coach Randy Dagostino, returns to do the setting after leading the squad with 667 assists as a sophomore. The Bucs also return Natasha Rowland and Viginia Willis, both of whom earned All-Hillsborough County honors last season.

3. Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.), 34-5
The Titans were runners up to Marian in the Nebraska A state finals last year with four of their five losses coming against the Crusaders. The Titans have two of the top sophomores in the country in 6-foot-3 twins Amber and Kadie Rolfzen, both of whom have committed to Nebraska. Another sophomore, Kelly Hunter, returns at setter and is also considered a Division I prospect. Papillion-LaVista South also received a break this summer when sisters Lillian and Olivia Schonewise transferred to PLS from Lawrence, Kan. Lillian is a 6-1 senior who will play at California next year while Olivia is a 5-11 sophomore.

4. Pope (Marietta, Ga.), 52-2
The defending Georgia AAAAA state champions lost just one player from last year's squad, all-state standout Hannah Farmer. The Greyhounds return Gatorade State Player of the Year Mary Hoey, a 5-11 outside hitter, MaxPreps All-American and state MVP Danielle Thompson at libero and all-state outside hitter Mary Hannah Arrington at outside hitter. Pope also returns five other players from a team thats only two losses were to Walton, a team it defeated for the state title.

5. Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.), 27-1-1
The North Carolina 3A state champions return one of the nation's top juniors in 5-11 setter Madison Bugg. A member of the U.S. Youth National Team, Bugg was also the Gatorade State Player of the Year in North Carolina as a sophomore. She's joined by Victoria Phillips, a setter with 652 assists last year, defensive specialist Mandy Kramer, who had 311 digs, and Carolyn Albright, who had 136 kills. The Crusaders lost just once in 2009, falling to Florida 3A champion Berkeley Prep at the Archbishop Mitty Tournament in September. Cardinal Gibbons swept through eight state playoff matches without losing a game and did not lose a game in its final 12 contests.

6. Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 37-4
The Wildcats could be the team to beat in California this year. Of REV's four losses last year, two were to Kentucky teams, Assumption and Sacred Heart, and one was to the top team in the country, Archbishop Mitty, in the California Division II state finals. The Wildcats return their top player from last year, Krista Vansant, who figures to be one of the top outside hitters in the country this year. The 6-2 outside hitter had 565 kills as a junior and was an All-Southern Section pick. REV has nine players back from last year's Division II finalist team, including senior hitter Brianna Potter and All-Southern Section junior middle hitter Alyssa Mason (6-2).

7. Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.), 40-0
The Owls have won 21 state championships in Indiana including 13 in a row dating back to 1997. Although Muncie Burris competes at the 2A level, it defeated the likes of Indianapolis Cathedral, Muncie Central and Yorktown last year along with Assumption of Kentucky. State player of the year Taylor Unroe is gone, but all-state outside hitter Taylor Morey (330 kills) returns for her junior year along with 6-2 middle hitter Chelsea Toth (264 kills). The Owls have won 48 straight matches since falling to Muncie Central 3-0 on Oct. 18, 2008.

8. Cy-Woods (Cypress, Texas), 35-7
The Wildcats were 35-7 last year and were eliminated from the postseason by The Woodlands; however Cypress Woods is off to a strong start this year at 14-0 and is ranked No. 1 in the recent Texas Girls Coaches Association rankings. Daniela Arenas has been outstanding thus far for the Wildcats with 108 kills through 14 matches. Chloe Collins has been doing the setting with 250 assists in 21 games. Victoria Arenas is the top defender with 129 digs. Cy-Woods also has one of the top middle blockers in the country in 6-0 Carla Armstrong. Then, of course, there is newcomer Olivia Ogwumike, the younger sister of Chiney and Nnemkadi Ogwumike who starred at Cy-Fair. Olivia is a 5-11 freshman return specialist.

9. Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (Indianapolis), 34-1
The Braves lost just once last year, falling to Yorktown but later avenging that loss in the state playoffs. Brebeuf Jesuit Prep begins the year ranked No. 1 in the 3A state rankings by the Indiana Coaches Association after winning the state title in 2009. The Braves return three all-state players from last year, including middle blocker Sloane White, junior setter Natalie Wichern and outside hitter Jeme Obeime. Senior libero Jadyn Yarling is also back for her senior year.

10. St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis), 30-8-2
The Angels entered the Missouri Division IV state tournament as the team to beat but went 0-2-2 on the final weekend and lost out on a chance at a state title. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, coach Karen Davis feels she has her best team ever and that could mean a return to the state championship tournament, which the Angels won in 2008. Division I commits Helen Boyle (LSU), Taylor Masterson (Alabama) and Krista Menghini (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale) all return. Boyle led the team in kills (358) while Masterson led in blocks (97) and Menghini was the top setter (731 assists).

11. La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.), 39-1
Although a Division IV school in California, the Toros have a ton of talent returning from last year's state championship team, including league MVP Lauren Birks (6-0, OH) and section MVP Mollie Rogers (6-0, OH). Also returning are all-section picks Chloe Mathis (5-11, S), Maya Hood (5-10, RS), Kendall Peterkin (6-1, RS), Kelsey Plum (5-6, S) and Gillian Howard (6-4, MB).

12. Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati,), 29-0
The Division I state champions in Ohio have not lost since falling to Olmstead Falls in the championship game in 2008. Last year the Lions topped unbeaten Dublin Coffman in the finals for their fourth state championship. We'll stay with Ursuline Academy as the favorite in Ohio until it loses. The Lions return hitter Christina Beer (227 kills) and defensive specialist Kori Moster (493 digs). Ursuline Academy will have to find a replacement for setter Dani Reinert, who was a MaxPreps All-American last year.

13. Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), 40-4
The Stags won their 19th state title since 1977 last year, defeating rival Aquinas in the finals. Coach Gwenn Pike, who has more than 1,000 career wins as the Stags' coach, returns all-state selections Grace Whitley (5-10, Sr) and Shelby Workman (6-0, junior). The team also includes 5-11 sophomore Jordan Tucker, who played for the Invasion Black team that won the 15U national championship this summer. Bishop Miege also has one of the nation's top senior setters in Liz Powell.

14. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 39-0
The Monarchs were ranked No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps from the start of the season to the end with not a single misstep along the way. Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar's team lost just eight games en route to a second straight state championship. While the Monarchs lose a ton of talent, including MaxPreps National Player of the Year Rachel Williams, the past history of the team makes it difficult to drop Archbishop Mitty out of the rankings completely. The Monarchs have reached the state championship game eight of the past nine seasons with five state titles.

15. Plant (Tampa, Fla.), 29-1
The Panthers have won four state championships in a row, including last year's 6A crown with a 3-1 win over perennial powerhouse Winter Park. Plant's only loss last year was to Joliet Catholic Academy. The Panthers return senior hitter Alex Johnson, who was one of the leading hitters on the team with 329 kills. Plant returns eight other lettermen including senior outside hitter Tina Catanach (131 kills).

16. Rose (Greenville, N.C.), 26-0-2
The Rampants won their second straight North Carolina Class 4A state title last year and return several key players from that team, including leading hitter Caroline Douglas (287 kills). Eight players return from last year's team. Rose has lost just one game the past two years, going 27-1 in 2008.

17. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 43-5
The Cavaliers were one of the top 4A teams in the state of Texas last year and are currently ranked No. 1 in the state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association after getting off to a 10-0 start with a win over Reagan and Lady Bird Johnson at the Westwood Warrior Showcase. Amy Neal was MVP of the event while Sierra Patrick and setter Katie Beals were all-tournament.

18. Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.), 35-4
The defending 4A champions in Indiana begin the year ranked No. 1 in the state thanks to the return of all-state picks Jamie Drummer and Marquita Marshall. Setter Christina LeBlanc also returns after registering 1,057 assists last season.

19. St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.), 34-3
The Spartans lost in the Illinois Class 3A quarterfinals to eventual champion Joliet Catholic Academy last year, but could be the team to beat in Illinois in 2010. The Spartans have one of the nation's top middle blockers in 6-2 Meg Vonderhaar while All-West Chicago selection Gina Madonia also returns.

20. Westlake (Austin, Texas), 38-7
One of the top programs in Texas all of last year, the Chaparrals fell in the state finals to Amarillo. MaxPreps All-American Sara Shaw is gone, but most of the Westlake starters return, including Paige Caridi (233 kills), Ella Praisner (263 kills), Kenzie Hume (115 kills), and setters Avery Edwards (744 assists) and Amanda Welsh (452 assists).

21. Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.), 49-3
The Tennessee AAA runner-up to Dobyns-Bennett, Ravenwood boasts one of the top middle blockers in the country in 6-5 middle blocker Madelyn Hutson, the All-Mid State Player of the Year in Tennessee. All-state picks Alyssa Ivey and Micaela Bailey also return for the Raptors while freshman Kathryn Hutson, sister of Madelyn, joins the team this year.

22. Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), 29-2
The Crusaders lost just twice last year, both times to Central Catholic, including 3-1 in the 6A state championship game. Both Central Catholic and Jesuit figure to be the two teams to watch in Oregon this year, however the Crusaders have one weapon that Central Catholic does not — middle hitter Elizabeth Brenner. A MaxPreps All-American, Brenner was also the state Gatorade Player of the Year and figures to be one of the top players in the country in 2010.

23. Mercy (Louisville, Ky.), 32-7
The Jaguars lost seven times during the regular season but came on strong during the state tournament with nine straight wins to capture the state championship. Mercy begins the season ranked No. 1 in the state by the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association, and returns 14 players from last year's squad. The Jaguars lose all-state players Madison Hardy and Caitlin Welch, but return all-state honorable mention pick Jewell Dobson (6-0) at middle blocker. Another to watch is senior libero Natalie Keck (5-6), who made the AVCA list of seniors to watch.

24. Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 77-2
Although Rachel Charles, the Michigan Gatorade State Player of the Year, has graduated along with coaches association state MVP Alexandra Cocklin, Marian should still be one of the top teams in Michigan. All-state second team pick Alessandra Dietz (380 kills) returns along with third-team pick Alexandra Lovell (417 kills). Marian will be without one of the top sophomore middle blockers in the country, Chloe Reinig, who transferred to South Lyon. The Mustangs do have one of the top setters in the state in Mary Henry, who had 1,570 assists as a sophomore on Marian's Class A state championship team last year.

25. Ankeny (Iowa), 38-1
The Hawks won the 4A state championship in Iowa last year and return nine lettermen from that team, including standouts Maddie Manning, Erin Roggenburg and Taylor Goetz. Manning, a junior outside hitter (5-11), was one of the leading hitters at the state tournament with 37 kills and a .377 kill percentage. Meanwhile Roggenburg, a 5-11 middle hitter, finished second in blocks per game. Goetz, the team's setter, finished fifth in assists with 55. The Hawks also have one of the state's top defensive specialists in Haley Wandrey. Ankeny has won the past two 4A state championships.