CALIFORNIA DREAMING: No. 1 Mater Dei vs. No. 2 Mira Costa in CIF-Southern Section Open Division final and Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings supremacy … for now

BENSALEM, Pa. – Dream matchups do come true.

In this case, the top two teams in the Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings are set to meet Saturday in a high stakes sectional championship. And it might not be the last meeting this season between No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 2 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.).

First, we’ll look at the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division final to be played at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

When CIF-Southern Section created two four-team Open Division pools it meant the nation’s top two teams would headline their own pool and look to win all three matches against the top competition on the West Coast and southern California.

It succeeded and now the Monarchs and Mustangs, both with identical 38-2 records, will go at it for third time this season but the first time in California. The Mustangs won the matchup at the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii in August while Mater Dei turned the tables in late September at the final of the Durango Fall Classic winning the top-flight Championship Division, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21. The accolades were aplenty as Brown-bound senior Julia Kakkis was named the Most Valuable Player and teammates Isabel Clark (San Diego commit), Layli Ostovar and Malyssa Cawa (Stanford) joined her on the all-tournament team.

In Honolulu, the Mustangs won, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19, on Aug. 29. Mira Costa’s top guns are setter Charlie Fuerbringer (Wisconsin recruit), who played this summer with the USA U19 team at the FIVB World Championships. She’s joined by junior defensive specialist Taylor Deckert (USC), libero Trixie McMillin (Cal Berkeley), right side Chloe Hynes, and sophomore outside hitters Simone Roslon and Audrey Flanagan (Kang MVP).

Then the two could be paired up in the regionals that get underway next week. The regional dates are Nov. 7, 8, 9, 11 and 14 (final). The CIF state finals are Nov. 17 and 18 at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

With November here, state champions from Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nebraska and Alabama will be crowned this weekend with seven Net 25 team in contention for the hardware. Texas (both UIL and TAPPS) started the playoffs this week as did New Jersey. There four additional California teams involved in sectional play from San Diego to the Bay Area.

In Illinois, three teams are playing in the sectionals and one possible head to head match between No. 18 Marist (Chicago) and No. 12 and defending Class 4A champions Mother McAuley (Chicago) Wednesday in Chicago. The sides have split the two meetings this fall. That winner is off to the 4A Super-Sectionals and perhaps next week’s state semifinals in Normal, Ill. No. 11 Benet Academy (Lisle) is also in 4A contention but on a different and difficult path.

So, there are no additions and a few shifts in overall Net 25 positioning. We’ll have all the results the next time with state champions to boot.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return Nov. 8. There are only three rankings left before the final ones drop Thanksgiving week.

Keep posted for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ and girls’ preseason basketball rankings that will go live in the next three weeks.

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

 Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Nov. 1, 2023

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (38-2)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: The Monarchs completed a 3-0 record in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Pool A round-robin playoffs and will vie for the title Saturday against No. 2 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach).

2. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (38-2)

Previous: 2.

Digs: Won the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Pool B round-robin playoffs with a 3-0 mark and play top-ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana) Saturday in the final.

3. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (32-0)

Previous: 3.

Digs: Junior setter Ava Hunter sent off 17 assists and Lauren Harden pounded out 10 kills as the Royals defeated La Porte, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13, in the Class 4A Semi-States. They face Castle (Newburgh) in Saturday’s final in Muncie.

4. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (33-4)

Previous: 4.

Digs: Defeated Ursuline Academy (Dallas), 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15, to close out the regular season. The Lions earned a bye to the TAPPS Class 6A regional final, where is plays Incarnate Academy (San Antonio) or Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth) Saturday. The state semifinals are Nov. 10 and the title match is Nov. 11.

5. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (30-4)

Previous: 5.

Digs: Defeated Eastlake (Chula Vista), 25-21, 25-12, 25-8, in the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division quarterfinals and played The Bishop’s School (San Diego) on Halloween in the semifinals. The final is Saturday at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

6. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (30-0)

Previous: 7.

Digs: In the Class 4A Section 5 tournament, the Trojans defeated Park Center (Brooklyn Park), 25-7, 25-13, 25-3, in the quarterfinals and Hopkins (Minnetonka), 25-21, 25-21, 25-8, in the semifinals. They play Champlin Park Wednesday in the section final.

7. Grand Oaks, Spring, Texas (43-1)

Previous: 8.

Digs: The Grizzlies captured the District 13-6A championship with a perfect 16-0 mark and played Nimitz (Houston) in the bi-district round earlier this week with the winner moving on to play in the Area playoff this weekend.

8. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (44-1)

Previous: 9.

Digs: During the opening two rounds of the WIAA Division I state tournament, the Dashers have been flawless with a pair 3-0 victories. The stakes are raised in the quarterfinals Thursday with Burlington. The semifinals are Friday and the championship is Saturday in Green Bay.

9. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (32-5)

Previous: 6.

Digs: Won 7^th Region championship, defeating crosstown rivals Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville), 25-16, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, in a thrilling final. The Rockets are back at the State Tournament this week and faced Oldham County (La Grange) Monday in the first round. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals on Friday and the semifinals and final will be contested Saturday in Winchester.

10. Carrollwood Day School, Tampa, Fla. (28-2)

Previous: 10.

Digs: Advanced to the Class 3A, Regional 3, where it met rivals Berkeley Prep (Tampa) on Halloween in the final and for the right to punch a ticket to the Class 3A state semifinals on Nov. 9.

11. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (35-2)

Previous: 12.

Digs: After securing a Class 4A regional title, the Redwings played Wheaton Warrenville South in the St. Charles North Sectional in Monday’s semifinals. The final is Wednesday and if they advance, the Super-Sectionals on Friday.

12. Mother McAuley, Chicago (32-5)

Previous: 13.

Digs: Won the Class 4A regional in South Holland, sweeping Rich Township (Richton Park, Ill.), 25-6, 25-7, in the final. The Mighty Macs won’t have it easy this week as they must beat No. 18 Marist (Chicago) in the Chicago Sectionals and then win the Super-Sectional on Friday before returning to the Class 4A semifinals next week in Normal.

13. Huntington Beach, Calif. (32-9)

Previous: 11.

Digs: Went 2-1 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Pool B playoffs, falling to No. 2 Mira Costa (Manhattan) in three sets in the final match. The Oilers have the week off before they learn of their draw in the CIF-Southern Regionals.

14. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio (34-7)

Previous: 14.

Digs: Season complete. The Warriors do not compete for a state title.

15. Pace Academy, Atlanta (36-3)

Previous: 15.

Digs: The Knights have not lost a set in a month and can close out the season winning the Class AAAA state championship Saturday against rivals Lovett School (Atlanta).

16. Papillion (Neb.)-La Vista South (35-1)

Previous: 16.

Digs: The Titans have a chance to avenge their lone loss this season when they play crosstown rival Papillion-La Vista Wednesday in the Class 4A quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday and the final Saturday at the University of Nebraska’s Devaney Center in Lincoln.

17. Pope, Marietta, Ga. (39-3)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Defeated Blessed Trinity (Roswell) and Marist (Atlanta) both in three sets in the Class AAAAAA state tournament. The Greyhounds face Alpharetta Friday for the state championship.

18. Marist, Chicago (32-4)

Previous: 19.

Digs: Won the Class 4A Burbank Regional and played Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.) Monday in the Chicago Sectional semifinals with the winner heading to the final Wednesday night. The Super-Sectional is Friday and next week the 4A state tournament at Redbird Arena in Normal.

19. Kamehameha-Kapalama, Honolulu (27-3)

Previous: 20.

Digs: The Warriors won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division 1 double-elimination tournament and will be the top seed in next week’s Division 1 state tournament in Honolulu.

20. Bob Jones, Madison, Ala. (51-3)

Previous: 21.

Digs: Won the Class 7A North Regional championship, sweeping three opponents in three sets apiece. It’s down to three more wins, starting Wednesday with the Class 7A state first round and semifinals. The Patriots open with Auburn and would need to win later Wednesday to reach Thursday’s championship match.

21. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (34-8)

Previous: 17.

Digs: The Trailblazers went 1-2 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Pool A playoffs and await their assignment in the CIF Southern California Regionals.

22. Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township, N.J. (23-1)

Previous: 22.

Digs: Eve Roman contributed seven kills and seven digs, senior setter Kalena Stavish had 22 assists and Abby Romero added nine digs when the Blue Eagles closed out the regular season, beating Tenafly, 25-16, 25-11. Up next is Mount St. Mary (Watchung) Wednesday in the Non-Public A state tournament first round.

23. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (28-4)

Previous: 23.

Digs: The Monarchs swept Palo Alton, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, in the CIF-Central Coast Open Division quarterfinals. A win in the semifinals against Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) Wednesday could mean a showdown Saturday for the sectional title.

24. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (32-4)

Previous: 24.

Digs: If the Lancers get by Valley Christian (San Jose) Wednesday, they will likely meet archrivals No. 23 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) for the CIF-Central Coast Open Division championship.

25. Branson School, Ross, Calif. (25-5)

Previous: 25.

Digs: The Bulls defeated American (Fremont), 25-9, 25-15, 25-12, in the CIF-North Coast Section Division 2 quarterfinals and play Campolindo (Moraga) Wednesday in the semifinals. The final is Saturday.

Dropped out: None.

Special Consideration: Alpharetta (Ga.); Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.); Lake Travis (Austin, Texas); St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans); Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio); Northville (Mich.); St. James Academy (Lenexa, Ka.); Dike (Iowa)-New Hartford; St. Mary’s (Lancaster, N.Y.); Pope John Paul II (Royersford, Pa.); Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.); Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kan.); Jesuit (Portland, Ore.); Xavier College Prep (Phoenix); Oconomowoc (Wis.); Holy Cross (Kensington, Md.) and Skyridge (Lehi, Utah).

Records are 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 (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.