Three MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball teams take the court Thursday in the Clash of Champions hosted by Bishop Gorman. All three matches will stream on the NFHS Network.
The one-day showcase on the eve of the Durango Fall Classic features No. 2
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 6
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) and No. 21
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).
"We've always had this thing with Mater Dei and I originally planned on having two matches, but there was more interested than I thought," Bishop Gorman coach Gregg Nunley said, adding all six teams are Catholic schools.
How to WatchWhen: Thursday, Aug. 17
Where: Bishop Gorman High School, Las Vegas
3:30 p.m. — Marymount (Calif.) vs.
Marin Catholic (Calif.),
NFHS Network5:30 p.m. — Xavier College Prep (Ariz.) vs.
Archbishop Mitty (Calif.),
NFHS Network
Junior Boyana Pesic leads Bishop Gorman with 100 kills early in the season. Pesic and the Gaels host No. 2 Mater Dei on Thursday in one of three matches in the Clash of Champions that can be seen on the NFHS Network. (PHOTO: Jenni Webber)
All three matches are full five-set contests.
"I think it’s a good litmus test," Nunley said. "Two set matches (best of three matches) can be won or lost for a variety of reasons. A five-set match allows you to see what you’ve got, coach and it’s more realistic for us to prepare for state tournament."
The event is sponsored by the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and features seven Preseason MaxPreps All-Americans. All six teams are in the expanded top 100 rankings.
Players to watch
Marymount
Marin Catholic
Xavier College Prep
Archbishop Mitty
Bishop Gorman
Mater Dei
