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The list of unbeaten teams in the MaxPreps Xcellent Top 25 National High School Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard dwindled to five this week, but the debate for No. 1 grew louder as Yorktown (Ind.) completed its perfect 2018 season and Cedar Falls (Iowa) ran its two-year win streak to 73.
In finishing 35-0 in its first year in Indiana's largest classification, Yorktown is sitting closely behind No. 1 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), which ended its season a week ago with the state championship and a 59-match winning streak.
Yorktown, led by future Nebraska Cornhusker and MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist
Kenzie Knuckles, has won three state titles in four years. The Tigers have lost one set in 99 this season — a month ago to state 3A champion New Castle.
Assumption played arguably the toughest schedule of any high school in 2018 and went 108-7 in set play.
Cedar Falls, meanwhile, is 99-2 in set play this season and is three wins away from defending its state 5A title. And Cedar Falls fans are quick to remind their win streak is the longest of any team in this week's Top 25.
Only Woodstock Academy (Woodstock, Conn.), and Kentridge (Kent, Wash.) join Assumption, Yorktown and Cedar Falls as unbeaten top-ranked teams.
While Assumption, Yorktown and Cedar Falls are laying claim to No. 1, No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calf.) is quietly going about its business of winning and posting a 39-2 record.
Riding a 50-game winning streak, Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac, Mich.) returned to the Top 25 for the first time in more than two months. Finally fully healthy, the Fighting Irish have lost one set during the win streak and none in their last 47 matches.
In addition to Notre Dame Prep, new to the Top 25 this week are recently crowned North Carolina 4A champion Green Hope (Cary, N.C.) and Padua Franciscan (Parma, Ohio), which is aiming for a third-straight state title.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National High School Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
Carly Diehl, Torrey Pines
File photo by Justin Fine
The Rockets won their 21st state title and extended their two-year winning streak to 59. Season over.
2. (2) Yorktown (Ind.), 35-0The Tigers ran their win streak to 35 in their first year of moving up to 4A with a state championship win over defending champion Avon. The Tigers have won 148 of 153 matches and three state titles (two Class B) over the last four years.
3. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 39-2The Monarchs defeated Marymount (Los Angeles) in four sets to win the Southern Section Division 1 title. It was the Monarchs third title in five years. Stanford commit
Natalie Berty led the way to victory with 23 kills and
Brielle Mullally (Providence pledge) added 12 and Long Beach State commit
Mia Tuaniga 10.
4. (6) Cedar Falls (Iowa), 44-0The Tigers have won 73 straight and take on 29-14 Waukee on Tuesday to open the state 5A Final 8 tournament.
5. (4) Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), 42-1The Bobcats, winners of 18 straight, opened the playoffs with two wins and face 38-7 Flower Mound on Tuesday. Flower Mound has won 12 in a row.
6. (5) Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.), 43-1The Tigers, winners of 14 in a row, face 26-16 Camp Verde (Gilbert) in the semifinals Monday of the state 5A tournament. Since losing six weeks ago, the Tigers have lost one set.
7. (7) Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.), 45-2The Marlins won a pair of district games to move onto regional play Tuesday where they meet Renaissance (Detroit). The Marlins have 45 wins in a row.
8. (8) Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 41-3The preseason No. 1 Raiders capped off their season Saturday with their eighth volleyball title in nine years in the state's largest classification (7A), defeating Milton in three sets (25-14, 25-15, 25-14). Overall, it was their 13th state volleyball title. Season over.
9. (9) Torrey Pines (San Diego), 32-3The Falcons avenged their Sept. 29 loss to San Diego rival Catholic Cathedral on Saturday to win the San Diego Section Open Division championship. It was their ninth-straight victory.
10. (11) The Woodlands (Texas), 45-4The Highlanders have won 21 in a row, but had a tough time with 26-13 Tomball before winning 3-2 (17-25, 25-9, 25-17, 23-25, 15-8) and advancing in the state 6A playoffs.
11. (12) Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.), 24-1The Rangers dominated Greeley Central and Canon City and have won 23 straight. They have won 81 of their last 82 matches.
12. (14) Kentridge (Kent, Wash.), 17-0Kentridge remained unbeaten with a 3-0 win over Enumclaw. Up next: 25-6 Puyallup on Saturday. Kentridge won the first meeting between the two, 3-2.
13. (16) Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 35-1The Blue Eagles opened the postseason last week by extending its winning streak to 26 matches. They have won 46 of their last 47 matches and 75 of their last 77.
14. (19) Victor (N.Y.), 41-1-1Ally Devitt was named MVP as Victor swept Mercy to capture its second consecutive Section V class championship.
Emma Werkmeister and
M.K. McFadden also were named to the all-tournament team.
15. (17) Eagan (Minn.), 28-2Led by sophomore
Kennedi Orr's 16 kills, the Eagles defeated East Ridge (Woodbury) in three sets to move on in the state 3A tournament.
16. (15) Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.), 40-2Won the state A-II title. Season over.
17. (18) Pius X (Lincoln, Neb.), 34-2The Thunderbirds have 25 wins in a row and play 25-13 Millard South (Omaha) on Thursday in the state Class A tournament opener.
18. (NR) Green Hope (Cary, N.C.), 28-1Junior setter
Sydney Dowler was named the Most Valuable Player in the state title match win over Cary rival Panther Creek. Dowler is the fourth player all-time to win the award three consecutive years and is the first at the 4A level. It was the third straight title for both Dowler and Green Hope, which finished the season with 23 straight wins.
19. (22) Sterling (Ill.), 39-1The Golden Warriors dispatched Kaneland and Morton in matches that lasted less than 40 minutes to move to the state 3A semifinals on Friday against Joilet Catholic (Joilet).
20. (21) Oviedo (Fla.), 25-4The Lions have won 11 straight and take on West Orange (Winter Garden) on Tuesday. The Lions beat West Orange 2-1 in September. The winner advances to the state 9A final four.
21. (NR) Padua Franciscan (Parma, Ohio), 26-1Since losing in early September, the Bruins have lost two sets and reeled off 21 straight victories. Leading the Bruins are senior middle
Abigail Leigh (Buffalo commit), junior setter
Ella Mihacevich (committed to Northern Illinois and senior libero
Kamryn Stilwell (committed to Eastern Michigan. Up next: 22-5 Solon in the state large school semifinals on Friday.
22. (24) Woodstock Academy (Woodstock, Conn.), 22-0Junior
Paula Hernandez has led the Centaurs to an unbeaten regular season. Up next: the postseason.
23. (23) Logan-Rogersville (Rogersville, Mo.), 38-2The Wildcats closed out the season Saturday by winning the state 3A championship. They won their final nine matches. Season over.
24. (25) Marist (Chicago), 37-3The Redhawks face 35-5 Benet (Lisle) in the state large school semifinals on Tuesday. Benet defeated the Redhawks two weeks ago.
25. (NR) Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac, Mich.), 60-5Seniors
Madeline Chinn and
Natalie Risi have it going their way as the Fighting Irish have won their last 50 matches.
Dropped out: Ridge Point (Missouri City, Texas), D.H. Conley (Greenville N.C.), Avon (Ind.).
