BACK TO BACK: No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) captures another CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship; three newbies join Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Less than two weeks remain in the girls’ volleyball season and the state championships are coming at a frenetic pace.

With everyone having completed or on the verge of finishing up, the Blue Star Media Net 25 rankings have begun to shift. Last weekend, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio and Florida crowned their champions and there are more on the way.

California and Texas are in play now with championships being contested on Saturday, Nov. 23 or the final day of the schoolgirl season.

The biggest news out of California is the state tournament gets underway this week and last weekend No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) claimed their second consecutive California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 championship in straight sets over then-No. 7 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth). The Monarchs won’t have an easy road to the CIF Open Division final with the regional playoffs serving as a prelude.

Having said that, the Net 25 welcomes three teams with two moving in after knocking off ranked teams in state championship contests in Indiana and Florida. No. 21 Winter Park (Fla.) won the FHSAA Class 7A title and No. 22 Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.) claimed the Indiana Class 4A chip. Also joining is No. 23 Marist (Chicago), who defeated No. 24 and defending Illinois Class 4A state champions Mother McAuley (Chicago) in the sectional final. The Red Hawks lost twice to McAuley in the regular season but flipped the result when the stakes were higher.

This weekend the Illinois High School Association Class 4A state finals will be held at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Here’s the schedule:

Friday (All times Central)

7 p.m.: Huntley vs. No. 5 Benet Academy (Lisle).

8:30 p.m. (approx.): Lockport vs. (3) No. 23 Marist (Chicago).

Saturday

7:25 p.m. (approx.): Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2

8:55 p.m. (approx.): Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2

For the latest Net 25 rankings, there are three additions, six teams remaining the same, nine ascending (with six going up five slots) and three dropping, including two by nine positions.

That’ll do it for the first week of November. The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return on Wednesday, Nov. 20 for the penultimate set.

Bye for now.

We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Nov. 13, 2024

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-4)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: Won a second straight CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship, knocking off then-No. 7 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 in the final. Westley Matavao had 12 kills and seven digs, USC-commit Layli Ostovar had 11 kills and 10 digs and Kayla Ostovar added 15 digs. Up next is Torrey Pines (San Diego) on Wednesday in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division first round. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Tuesday. The state championship match against the Northern Region winner is Nov. 23.

2. Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas (36-1)

Previous: 2.

Digs: The Bobcats breezed past two playoff opponents and face Plano West on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Class 6A, Division II, Region 1 semifinals.

3. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (35-2)

Previous: 3.

Digs: The Lions play John Paul II (Plano) in the TAPPS Class 6A semifinals on Thursday. The final is Friday.

4. Alpharetta, Ga. (36-0)*

Previous: 4.

Digs: Won the Class 6A state championship. Season complete.

5. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (39-1)

Previous: 5.

Digs: The Redwings defeated New Trier (Winnetka), 25-17, 25-15 in the Class 4A Super-sectional final. The Redwings will play in the Class 4A state tournament on Friday and Saturday at the CEFCU Arena in Normal on the Illinois State University campus.

6. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio, Texas (32-4)

Previous: 6.

Digs: Season complete.

7. Roncalli, Indianapolis (35-0)*

Previous: 8.

Digs: Won the Class 3A state championship, sweeping Angola, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 in the final. The Royals became the 18^th volleyball team in state tournament history to win a state title undefeated. Logan Bell had 14 kills and Missouri-bound junior Lydia Stahley had 11. Junior Reagan Turk tallied 12 digs, and junior setter Addie Haberthy had 32 assists. Season complete.

8. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (42-3)

Previous: 9.

Digs: Won the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division championship, stopping Torrey Pines (San Diego), 25-18, 25-23, 25-15 in the final. Sophomore Jojo Wilson pounded out 10 kills and added eight digs. Junior Lauren Hanson had nine digs. Kale’a Lee and Hanson had 18 assists apiece. Up next is the CIF-Southern Regional Open Division first round on Wednesday against No. 18 Los Alamitos.

9. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (47-1)*

Previous: 11.

Digs: Won the Division 1 state championship for the third straight year, beating Hamilton (Sussex), 25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 in the final. Madison Quest spiked 18 kills and Addison Buckner had 13. Jordan Czajkowski delivered 26 assists and 12 digs. Season complete.

10. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (32-5)

Previous: 7.

Digs: Lost to No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in three sets in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. The Trailblazers face No. 11 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division first round.

11. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (26-8)

Previous: 12.

Digs: The Mustangs play No. 10 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) in the CIF-Southern Regional Open Division first round. The semifinals are Saturday.

12. Marymount, Los Angeles (33-7)

Previous: 13.

Digs: Idle. The Sailors face No. 16 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) Wednesday in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division first round. The semifinals are Saturday.

13. Lovejoy, Lucas, Texas (35-8)

Previous: 14.

Digs: The Leopards played Wilson (Dallas) on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Class 5A, Division II, Region 2 semifinals.

14. Mercy, Farmington Hills, Mich. (31-2)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Won the Division I District 23 titles sweeping two opponents. The Marlins faced Northville in the Regional 6 semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The final is Thursday.

15. Mount St. Mary Catholic, Oklahoma City (39-1)*

Previous: 20.

Digs: Won Class 5A state championship. Season complete.

16. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, Calif. (27-10)

Previous: 21.

Digs: Idle. The Sea Hawks meet No. 12 Marymount (Los Angeles) in the CIF-Southern Regional Open Division first round.

17. Colleyville (Texas) Heritage (35-6)

Previous: 22.

Digs: The Panthers faced Tascosa in the Class 5A, Division I, Region 1 semifinals.

18. Los Alamitos, Calif. (32-8)

Previous: 23.

Digs: Idle. The Griffins play No. 8 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) on Wednesday in the CIF-Southern Regional Open Division first round.

19. Xavier College Prep, Phoenix (28-4)

Previous: 24.

Digs: Defeated Valley Vista (Surprise), 25-18, 25-13, 25-12 in the Conference 6A first round. The Gators played Queen Creek on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Thursday and the final is Saturday.

20. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (35-8)*

Previous: 25.

Digs: The Rockets won a second straight Kentucky State Tournament, defeating Mercy Academy (Louisville), 25-21, 25-14, 25-16 in the final. Emilee Fuller handed out 36 assists and Bailey Blair hammered down 14 kills. Also stopped then-No. 17 Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills) in five sets in the semifinals. Ron Kordes has coached the Rockets to all 24 state titles in program history. Season complete.

21. Winter Park, Fla. (28-1)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: Won Class 7A state tournament, stopping then-No. 20 Plant (Tampa), 18-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 16-14 in a five-set thriller. It was the fifth state title under coach Stephanie Gibson but the first since 2013. Season complete.

22. Carroll, Fort Wayne, Ind. ( 33-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: Won Class 4A state championship, defeating then-No. 16 Yorktown, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22 in the final. The Chargers, who are state champions for the first time, closed with a 12-match winning streak. Bailey Sinish had 15 kills and Sophia Gisslen sent out 31 assists. Season complete.

23. Marist, Chicago (29-9)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: Won the Class 4A Super-sectional final, defeating Normal West, 28-26, 25-14. In the Chicago Sectional final, the Red Hawks defeated No. 24 and archrivals Mother McAuley in two sets. The Red Hawks are headed to the 4A state tournament this weekend in Normal.

24. Mother McAuley, Chicago (33-5)

Previous: 15.

Digs: The Mighty Macs lost to No. 23 Marist (Chicago), 20-25, 17-25 in the Class 4A Chicago Sectional final. Season complete.

25. Yorktown, Ind. (33-3)

Previous: 16.

Digs: Lost to No. 22 Carroll (Fort Wayne), 24-26, 22-25, 22-25 in the Class 4A state final. Charlotte Vinson spiked 18 kills and Shanese Williams had 13. Season complete.

Dropped out: No. 10 Dripping Springs (Texas), No. 17 Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.) and No. 20 Plant (Tampa, Fla.).

Special Consideration: The Branson School (Ross, Calif.); Huntington Beach (Calif.).; Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)*; Papillion-LaVista (Neb.) South*; Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.)**; Norris (Neb.)*; Seton (Cincinnati)*;Bullis School (Potomac, Md.)*; Princeton (N.J.); Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.); St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)*; Lakeville (Minn.) South*; Keller (Texas); Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.); Plant (Tampa, Fla.); and Cinco Ranch (Katy, Texas).

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

[Editor’s note: A second asterisk denotes multiple titles won during the same season]

Records through Sunday

 About: The Blue Star Media Net 25 High School Girls’ Volleyball Rankings are released weekly from August until the conclusion of the high school season in November. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. Follow him on X at @clawlor.