MaxPreps Top 50 high school volleyball rankings

Perennial prep volleyball power Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) starts the 2013 season in a familiar place — highly ranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 50 volleyball rankings.

The Rockets finished the 2012 season ranked No. 5 after starting last year in the No. 4 spot. They open 2013 atop the first rankings of the season.

The last time Assumption was not ranked among the nation's Top 10 teams was in 2008, when the Rockets were ranked No. 16. Since the start of the 2009 season, they have won 153 of their 165 matches. The 2013 Rockets squad might have the most depth of any high school team coast to coast.

Though the Rockets lost 2012 Miss Kentucky Volleyball Taylor Paulson to graduation, don't be surprised if they improve on their 38-2 record of a year ago, when they won their third-straight Kentucky state championship and 15th in the last 20 years.

Paulson is now playing for St. Louis University, but the Rockets return all-everything setter Alexa Filley and U.S. Girls U-18 team members Kenzie Maloney and Molly Sauer. Add to that front row players 6-2 Lauren Tutwiler and Alyssa Cavanaugh.

Filley did a lot of everything for coach Ron Kordes last season. She averaged better than 10 assists per game (845 total), and recorded 25 blocks, 184 digs, two dozen aces and had 50 kills. The 5-8 setter will play collegiately at Auburn.

In addition to Filley, Sauer and Maloney, three Rockets — Shelby Olson, Allie Gregory and McKenzie Watson — earned AAU All-American recognition for their club seasons in 2013.

In 2012, Assumption lost only to Torrey Pines (San Diego), a team that featured nine D-1 signees or commits. After losing to TPHS, 2-0, last Sept. 26, the Rockets won their final 12 matches.

The Rockets, Kentucky's No. 1 ranked team for the last four years, opened the season Aug. 24 defeating No. 13 Avon (Avon, Ind.), 3-1. They are 4-0 on the young season.

Assumption edged out five teams for the No. 1 spot — St. James (Lenexa, Kan.), Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.), New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.), Carmel (Ind.) and Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

Mitty was unbeaten in 2012, but St. James, New Trier and Carmel return practically every starter from their 2012 title-winning teams to earn a higher spot in the preseason rankings.

St. James, which has won five-straight state titles, is led by Maxpreps 2012 Freshman of the Year Jenna Gray. A setter, Gray totaled 1,057 assists last year as St. James went 40-4.

Gray will have plenty of players to assist again this season, including Audriana Fitzmorris who had a hitting average just under .500 and averaged nearly four kills per game, as well as recording 64 solo blocks on the season. She was honorable mention All-State despite missing more than five weeks with a broken finger. And she had a summer of experience playing for the U.S. Junior National team.

The Thunder, who have outscored their opponents 204-11 over the last two seasons, open the 2013 campaign Aug. 31, hosting Blue Valley West (Stillwell, Kan.), then visit No. 24 Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) three weeks later.

No. 3 Horizon and No. 4 New Trier feature front lines the size of most D-1 college teams. Horizon has a trio of 6-4 players up front, led by Jensen Cunningham, Tess Clark and Christine Johnson. Horizon also features 6-1 Sierra Nobley and 6-0 setter Lauren Conati.

New Trier has 6-4 front liner Haley Fauntleroy, plus Team USA player Taylor Tashima.

Mitty lost a pair of All-Americans, but return fellow All-Americans Kelsey Crawford and Clare Powers and its 11 returning players totaled more than 710 games last year.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Carmel (Ind.), The Woodlands (Texas), New Dike-Hartford (Dike, Iowa), Mother McCauley (Chicago) and Boca Raton (Fla.).

The Woodlands made a statement on Aug. 17 when it defeated defending state champion Coppell (25-16, 20-25, 25-11) to win the 80-team Pearland Pink Texas Invitational. Courtney Eckenrode earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award and sisters Courtney and Kelly Quinn were named to the all-tournament team.

MaxPreps Xcellent 50 Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (No. 5 in final 2012 rankings) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 38-2 last season
The Rockets enter the season with a 12-match winning streak and a goal of winning its 16th state championship. MaxPreps All-American setter Alexa Filley leads the way with U.S. 18U Girls Team members Kenzie Maloney and Molly Sauer adding support. The Rockets are off to a 4-0 start and defeated No. 13 Avon, 3-1. The Rockets host St. Henry (Erlanger, Ky.) on Tuesday.

2. (16) St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.), 40-4
St. James will go after its sixth-straight state title with all but one player returning from last year's 40-4 team. Preseason All-Americans Jenna Gray and Audrianna Fitzmorris lead a talented roster. The Thunder open their season Aug. 31 hosting Blue Valley West (Stilwell, Kan.).

3. (11) Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 43-3
The Huskies might have the best frontline in the country with 6-1 Sierra Nobley (305 kills, 67 aces), 6-4 Christine Johnson (56 blocks), 6-4 Jensen Cunningham (295 kills, 111 blocks), 6-4 Tess Clark (100 blocks, and 6-0 setter Lauren Conati (60 aces, 562 assists). Add to that 5-7 libero Jordan Anderson (434 digs, 52 aces and 631 serve receptions) and the Huskies are poised for another title run. Horizon opens its season Sept. 3 at Boulder Creek (Anthem, Ariz.).

4. (32) New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.), 33-2
New Trier has a great frontline combination with a pair of 6-4 middles — Haley Faultleroy and Sara Shafiq. Setter/outside hitter Taylor Tashima adds a third D-1 caliber player. New Trier hosts Libertyville (Ill.) on Thursday.

5. (2) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 38-0
California's top team in 2012 (38-0) has a real chance of remaining there. Gone are a pair of All-Americans (Anne Marie Schmidt and Allie Wheeler), but back are setter Kelsey Crawford (1,042 assists), 6-3 Clare Powers (366 kills) and 6-4 Alexa Dryer (73 blocks). Mitty's 11 returning players combined to play in 710 sets last year. The Monarchs participate in the Independence Spikefest (San Jose, Calif.) on Sept. 7.

6. (NR) Carmel (Ind.), 39-2
Carly Skjodt (417 kills), Carly Harbison (785 assists) and Carly Cason (68 blocks), are among a half-dozen regulars from 2012's 39-2 state runner-up team. Carmel visits No.13 Avon on Tuesday.

7. (NR) The Woodlands (Texas), 36-3
Off to an impressive start in 2013, key returnees include Madison McDaniel (299 kills), Courtney Eckenrode (845 assists, 64 aces), Kelly Quinn (512 digs), Courtney Quinn (367 kills), and Rachel Reed (88 blocks). The Highlanders, who are off to an 11-0 start in 2013, host Kingwood (Texas) Tuesday.

8. (23) Dike-New Hartford (Dike, Iowa), 44-0
This junior-dominated team is working on a 64-match winning streak after back-to-back state titles. The Wolverines lost only one player from the unbeaten 2012 squad that returns two MaxPrepSports All-Americans in setter Rachel Koop, outside hitter Briana Weber and 6-4 middle Brooke Morgan. They last lost in early September 2011 and have outscored opponents 200-17 over the last two seasons. They open the season Sept. 5 at BCLUW (Conrad, Iowa).

9. (NR) Mother McAuley (Chicago), 36-6
Mother McAuley's only 2012 losses were to six teams that combined to win 170 games. Mother is loaded with experienced players — juniors Kennedy Arundel, Carla Cahill, Ryann DeJarld and seniors Gabrielle Ennis and Courtney Joyce. Mother plays at Metro-East Lutheran (Edwardsville, IL) on Friday.

10. (NR) Boca Raton (Fla.), 31-1
Libby Vilmar (1,014 assists), Sydney Kantor (419 digs) and Charlotte Earnhart (229 kills) will lead the Bobcats as they seek a repeat state title. They host Cardinal Gibbons (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) on Wednesday.

11. (NR) Winter Park (Fla.), 26-6
The Wildcats reached the state finals before losing, and in 2012 went 26-6 with losses to three state titlists who combined for a 105-12 won-loss record. Key returners are 6-3 Christina Ambrose (363 kills, 67aces, 66 blocks) and Brittany Kelly (85 blocks) and 6-6 middle Beth Nordhorn (294 kills). They Wildcats host Freedom (Orland, Fla.) on Thursday.

12. (3) Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.), 40-0
Hit hard by graduation, but twins Maggie (872 assists, 263 digs) and Jackie Scott (147) return with Lily Johnson (257 kills, 261 digs). The Lancers host St.Joseph's Academy (St. Louis) on Sept. 3.

13. (40) Avon (Ind.), 35-5
Beth Prince (505 kills) and Rachel Griffin (1,042 assists) return to lead the defending state champions. They lost 3-1 to No. 1 Assumption on Saturday to end their 12-match win streak. Avon hosts No. 6 Carmel (Ind.) on Tuesday.

14. (NR) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 31-4
Crissy Jones (6-2 MH) is one of 10 seniors who carry the Griffins' state title hopes in 2013. The Griffins have won 15 of their last 16 matches. They open season Monday at the Lakewood Tournament (Lakewood, Calif.).

15. (48) Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 25-4
Winners of five straight 4A state titles, the Indians will be led by Courtney Domme (343 digs, 510 serve receptions), 6-2 Mara Barkley (71 blocks, 244 kills), and 6-0 Maddie Beal (87 blocks). The Indians host Chaparral (Parker, Colo.) on Thursday.

16. (NR) Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.), 33-9
The Thelen sisters — 6-2 senior Heidi (546 kills, 64 blocks) and 6-0 junior Abby (78 blocks) — lead the Pandas, second only to Assumption in Kentucky. Elly Ogle (1,017 assists, 286 kills), Micaela Stephenson (98.1 serving pct.), and Meredith Klare (627 digs) make this a deep team.The Pandas have opened the season 3-0 and host Mt. Notre Dame (Ohio) on Tuesday.

17. (NR) Wapahani (Selma, Ind.), 33-4
Led by Lindi Thomas (468 kills) and Courtney Mitchell (99 blocks), Wapahani will be out to repeat as state champions and improve on a 33-4 record. The Raiders host Blue River Valley (Mt. Summit, Ind.) on Tuesday.

18. (9) Coppell (Texas), 49-3
Defending 5A champions should come out swinging with Mary-Kate Marshall (246 kills, 84 blocks), Alex Silver (534 digs) and junior setter Kylie Pickrell (1390 assists) running the offense. Coppell took second at last week's Pearland Invite. Off to 4-1 start, Coppell hosts Allen (Texas) on Sept. 6.

19. (8) Punahou (Honolulu), 19-1
Losers of just one match the last two seasons, the Buff n' Blue beat Huntington Beach 25-15, 25-19 to win the Ann Kang Invitational volleyball tournament on Aug. 17 to open the 2013 season. They visit Sacred Hearts Academy (Honolulu) on Saturday.

20. (NR) Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac, Mich.), 52-10-4
The Irish return three all-staters from a state quarterfinal team that also won four tournament titles during the season. Leading the Irish are junior hitter Katherine Carlson (923 kills), and seniors Danielle McCormick and Hannah Strat (777 digs). The Irish have opened the season 4-0 and participate Sept. 7 in the Croswell-Lexington Tournament.

21. (NR) Churchill (San Antonio) 32-12
Led by libero Amy Nettles (651 digs) and outside hitter Abby Buckingham (533 kills, 52 aces) Churchill is poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. The 13-1 Chargers, whose lone 2013 loss was to No. 33 Carroll, host Smithson Valley (Spring Brach, Texas) on Tuesday.

22. (14) Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 37-2
Winners of 79 of their last 84 matches, the Redwings open 2013 with a 25-match winning streak and well stocked for another stellar season. Returning are Natalie Canulli, Tiffany Clark (5-11), Rachael Fara (6-2), Aileen Griffin (5-11), Ashley Hitchcock (5-11), Brittany Pavich (6-2) and libero Caroline Wolf. They host the 31st Benet Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

23. (44) Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), 35-7
The reigning state 3A champions lost a trio of key seniors, but return Kali Eaken (1,073 assists), Nicole Purcell (344 digs), Jessica Plake (216 kills) and Sydney Buckley (96.4 serving pct.). The Stags host Gardner-Edgerton (Gardner, Kan.), on Sept. 5.

24. (7) Lakeville North (Minn.), 33-1
The Panthers won the 3A state title in 2012 (their only loss last year was by forfeit) and any team that has Alyssa Goehner (609 kills) will be a winner. Also back are seniors Sami Flattum (41 blocks, 216 kills) and Abby Monson (315 digs). The Panthers host Owatonna (Minn.) on Wednesday.

25. (NR) Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.), 19-12
The Buccaneers lost more games in 2012 than they did the previous four seasons combined, but return five starters to a team that improved as much as any team in Florida last season. At one point in 2012, the Bucs were 11-11, but won eight of their last nine in finishing as state's 4A runnerup to national champion Bishop Moore. This year's team is led by seniors Maddie Alberdi (958 assists), 6-1 Addison Harden (51 blocks), 6-0 Sidney Brown (301 digs, 450 kills), Logan Weldon, and Maddie Raquet.

The Next 25

26. (NR) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.), 28-7
Hayley Hodson is back. She led the 28-7 Sea Kings to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section DI-AA playoffs. She finished with an area-best 453 kills. She was a member of the U.S. Girls Youth National team.

27. (NR) Cedar Park (Texas), 41-8
Cedar Park is 10-0 under first year coach Chad Jones. The T'Wolves are off to a good start in 2013 and won the Westwood Warrior showcase last week. Top returning is Hailey Roberts (413 kills, 96 aces and 298 digs). Cedar Park lost in the Texas 4A semifinals last year to champion Lovejoy. Jones was 33-4 last year as coach for 5A Lubbock Coronado.

28. (NR) St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.), 30-5
The Haggerty sisters (6-0 sophomore Molly and 6-2 Maddie), a pair of outside hitters, team with 5-7 libero Sam Dubiel, and 6-2 middle Mary Boken to give St. Francis with a good chance to repeat as 3A champions.

29. (41) Mt. Carmel (New Orleans), 35-3-1
Reigning state D1 champion.

30. (21) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 38-5
The Sea Hawks lost to California state champion Marymount in the CIF semi-finals to finish 2012 at 36-5 and lost standout Skylar Dykstra, but return Norene Losia, middle Abril Bustamante, and Brianna Lanktree, and 6-4 Marymount transfer Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani.

31. (10) Marymount (Los Angeles), 31-5
The Sailors defeated St. Francis (Sacramento), 3-1, to win California's D1 state title. They lost four prominent players, but return setter Reni Meyer-Whalley.

32. (25) Dakota (Macomb, Mich.), 43-3
Senior loaded team led by 6-1 All-American Carli Snyder and 5-3 libero Natalie Janes.

33. (27) Carroll (Southlake, Texas), 46-4
Lost in the 2012 regional semifinals en route to a 46-win season. In the last three years, Carroll has won 128 matches and with All-American Cat McCoy leading the way, expect good things again in 2013. Off to a 4-1 start (lost to The Woodlands), the Dragons visit Allen (Texas) Tuesday.

34. (34) Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.), 54-2
Defending state 3A champion returns juniors Amber MacDonald (532 digs), Maggie Rick (1,073 assists) and senior Molly McAlvany (419 kills) in quest of its third state title in four seasons. Trinity has opened season with 13 wins to run win streak to 20.

35. (17) Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.), 65-2
Defending state champions lost two standouts to D1, but return All-American setter Sydney Chandler (1,686 assists, 147 aces) and Madison Matthews (241 digs), Jhalen Caffey (270 digs, 237 kills) and Morgan Dulaney (290 digs, 73 blocks, 90 aces, 304 kills). Bayside opens the season with 59 match winning streak.

36. (NR) Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.), 32-0
They lost key players, but the cupboard is not bare with setter Allie Monserez, Gray Malias, and Brianna Civiero returning. The only two losses the last two seasons were to Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.).

37. (37) Cleveland (Rio Rancho, N.M.), 22-2
Cleveland will try to improve on its 21-match winning streak with three key returning starters including 5-8 setter Briana Ainsworth (1,101 assists) and 5-9 middle Stephanie Sena (186 kills, 48 blocks).

38. (NR) Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.), 44-9
Led by 6-3 Kat Hutson (665 kills), the Raptors are well-stocked in their quest to repeat as state champions. Supporting Hutson are returning starters Santanna Patterson (63 blocks, 196 kills), Sophia Cerino (68 blocks), Emily Svennevik (104), Payton Logan (303 kills), Lauren DuPont (389 digs), and setter Taylor Briggs (56 aces, and 1,379 assists). Off to a 3-0 start, the Raptors host No. 41 Brentwood on Tuesday.

39. (8) Doherty (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 29-0
Doherty lost a lot to graduation, but any team with 6-4 Haleigh Washington and 6-3 setter Gabby Simpson will have a shot at repeating as state champions.

40. (NR) Burlington (Wis.), 44-2
Another team hit hard by graduation, but return sophomores 6-2 Quinn Spieker (248 kills) and Phoebe Hozeska (46 blocks) and open season with a 16-match winning streak.

41. (NR) Brentwood (Tenn.), 43-6
Only one senior graduated from the state runner-up team that lost four times to state title winner and No. 38 ranked Ravenwood. Key returnees are juniors Samantha Cotton (74 blocks) and Ashley West, sophomore Elizabeth Schwarz (98 aces) and Kaela Massey (71 blocks) and seniors Hunter Thompson (836 assists), Sarah Tuttle (363 kills). The Bruins visit Ravenwood on Tuesday in an early-season showdown.

42. (NR) Huntington Beach (Calif.), 18-15
Eight seniors lead the team that finished second (to No. 19 Punahou) last weekend at Kang Invitational in Hawaii.

43. (NR) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 30-7
Monarchs are led by 6-2 senior outside hitter Frankie Shebby — one of a half-dozen six-footers on the team.

44. (NR) Vanguard (Ocala, Fla.), 28-1
Won state 6A title and return four prominent starters including junior setter Lauren Donnelly (1,050 assists, 78 aces), junior Kira Lowell (348 digs) and 6-1 sophomore Ciara Debell (185 kills and 37 blocks). Vanguard opens its season with a 24-game winning streak.

45. (NR) Gregori (Modesto, Calif.), 33-4
Led by 6-0 Maycie LaBass (579 kills, 72 percent kill ratio), and 6-1 setter Emilee Vandyke (88 aces, 1,068 assists) Gregori will attempt to improve on its CIF Section runner-up finish.

46. (NR) Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 34-7
Raiders are loaded as they seek their fourth-straight 6A title. Leading the way are super sophomore Celeste Fitzgerald (105 aces), and seniors Jessica Sloan (368 kills) and Leah Jackson (62 blocks).

47. (43) Torrey Pines (San Diego), 31-5
Lost some big names, but return 6-3 All-American Reily Buechler.

48. (29) Flagstaff (Ariz.), 42-0-1
Unbeaten reigning state champs return 5-6 Courtney Leffel (299 kills, 69 aces), 4-11 libero Hailey Leffel (78 aces, 635 digs), and 6-0 Randi Powers (344 kills). The Eagles have lost just one match in their last 60.

49. (46) Tatum (N.M.), 24-0
State 4A champion for the last four years has lost just a dozen matches during that span. Nine players return from the unbeaten 2012 team and the Coyotes enter the season with a 33-match winning streak.

50. (NR) Xavier College Prep (Phoenix), 34-11
Eleven players return from Xavier's 2012 state finals team, including 6-2 super sophomore Khalia Lanier (333 kills), Mia Teilborg (373 kills), Dani Westfall (50 aces) and Morgan Harlan (53 blocks).