BENSALEM, Pa. – Hark, for a second time in three seasons, the Dons of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, California are Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball National Champions.
It went down to the wire but the Dons (46-3) took care of business in the final week of the season with two clutch victories in the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs.
However, the crowning glory was winning a second CIF Open Division State Championship, defeating No. 9 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 25-14, 25-20, 25-16, on Saturday at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.
It’s official: Cathedral Catholic is No. 1. The proclamation affirmed with no doubt or hesitation.
The Dons closed on a 23-game win streak, dropping only three games during that span. In 2022, the Dons rattled off a perfect 42-0 record, nabbing the National Championship from Blue Star Media. Despite a slow start to this season, the Dons rounded into shape and blasted through the sectional and regional playoffs. The CIF Open Division title completed their quest.
Mitty (29-7) won the CIF-Northern Region Open Division and Central Coast Section Division 1 crowns but fell short of their ultimate goal. The Monarchs will be in the mix next season with a solid core returning.
As for the Net 25 final rankings, there are 14 state champions from 11 states (three from Texas). Six teams moved up, including Cathedral Catholic, eight remained the same and nine dipped. The new order reflects the final reshuffling after all state championships were completed.
So, we conclude another season.
For the third consecutive year, the CIF Open Division champions finish atop the Net 25 rankings. Last year, Mater Dei (Santa Ana) pulled it off.
Onward!
The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings will return in August 2025.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and then Happy Holidays and New Year.
Thank you, we really appreciate your readership.
If you are a basketball fan, be sure to check back weekly for the Elite 25 boys’ and girls’ rankings. The updates go live until the conclusion of the season in April. Follow us on X at @clawlor or @BlueStarMedia1.
Bye for now.
We hope to see you a game soon.—Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Final Rankings, Nov. 24, 2024
1. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (46-3)*!
Previous rank: 2.
Digs: Won the Blue Star Media Net 25 National Championship after sweeping the CIF State Open Division title for the second time in three years in a 25-21, 25-20, 25-16 triumph over No. 9 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose). Outside hitter Mae Kordas pounded out 18 kills and junior middle blocker Allison Dzieciuch added nine. The Dons close the season, winning 23 straight. In the Southern Regional, the Dons topped then-No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22.
2. Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas (40-1)*
Previous: 3.
Digs: Won the Class 6A, Division II state championship, sweeping Stratford (Houston), 25-20, 25-13, 25-14 for a second straight UIL title. The Bobcats closed on a 36-match winning streak, with final 13 wins in three-set sweep fashion. Washington-bound Kylie Kleckner was named finals Most Valuable Player. In the semifinals, the Bobcats wiped out The Woodlands in three sets.
3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (37-5)
Previous rank: 1.
Digs: CIF-Southern Section Division 1 champions lost to then-No. 2 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 22-25 in the Southern Region Open Division final.
4. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (37-2)*
Previous: 4.
Digs: Won third straight TAPPS Class 6A state championship.
5. Alpharetta, Ga. (36-0)*
Previous: 5.
Digs: Won the Class 6A state championship.
6. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio, Texas (32-4)
Previous: 6.
Digs: The Warriors do not compete for a state championship.
7. Roncalli, Indianapolis (35-0)*
Previous: 7.
Digs: Won the Class 3A state championship.
8. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (47-1)*
Previous: 8.
Digs: Won the Division 1 state championship for third straight year.
9. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (29-7)
Previous: Not ranked.
Digs: The Monarchs advanced to the CIF Open Division final but lost to No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 21-25, 20-25, 16-25. Makenna Crosson, a Minnesota pledge, had 13 kills and freshman Chayse Courtney added 11. It was an unprecedented 21st state finals appearance for Mitty. In the Northern Regional final, the Monarchs defeated then-No. 21 and archrivals St. Francis (Mountain View), 25-11, 25-18, 25-19.
10. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (33-6)
Previous: 9.
Digs: Advanced to the CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals. Won the Mission League title.
11. Marist, Chicago (33-9)*
Previous: 10.
Digs: Won the Illinois Class 4A state championship.
12. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (40-2)
Previous: 11.
Digs: Finished runners-up in Class 4A.
13. Xavier College Prep, Phoenix (31-4)*
Previous: 16.
Digs: Won Conference 6A state championship. It was the program’s first title since 2018 and the 14th overall.
14. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (35-8)*
Previous: 17.
Digs: Won second straight Kentucky State Tournament championship and 24th all-time under coach Ron Kordes.
15. Winter Park, Fla. (28-1)*
Previous: 18.
Digs: Won Class 7A state tournament.
16. Grand Oaks, Conroe, Texas (42-7)*
Previous: Not ranked.
Digs: Won the UIL Class 6A, Division I state championship, defeating Fulshear 26-24, 25-18, 12-25, 25-20 in the final. Halle Thompson (25) and Samara Coleman (21) combined for 46 kills. Samantha Sampson assisted 38 times and Cali Reece had 33 digs.
17. Carroll, Fort Wayne, Ind. ( 33-3)*
Previous: 19.
Digs: Won Class 4A state championship.
18. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, Calif. (28-11)
Previous: 12.
Digs: Advanced to the CIF-Southern Regional Open Division semifinals.
19. Mount St. Mary Catholic, Oklahoma City (39-1)*
Previous: 15.
Digs: Won Class 5A state championship. Season complete.
20. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (26-9)
Previous: 13.
Digs: Won the uber competitive Bay League title and qualified for the CIF-Southern Region Open Division playoffs.
21. Northville, Mich. (41-2)*
Previous: 20.
Digs: Won Division I state championship, defeating Rockford 26-24, 25-16, 25-27, 25-22 to capture its first-ever title. The Reck twins, Molly and Mallory, teamed for 46 kills and 25 digs and senior setter Ella Craggs handed out 49 assists and junior libero Giselle Burlingame had 18 digs. In the semifinals, they defeated Marian (Bloomfield Hills), 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 and in the quarterfinals, they swept Bedford (Temperance) in three sets.
22. Marymount, Los Angeles (33-8)
Previous: 14.
Digs: Advanced to the CIF-Southern Region Open Division playoffs—one of the top brackets in the nation.
23. Mercy, Farmington Hills, Mich. (31-3)
Previous: 23.
Digs: Advanced to the MHSAA Division 1, District 23 semifinals and won the Detroit Catholic League championship.
24. Mother McAuley, Chicago (33-5)
Previous: 24.
Digs: Advanced to Class 4A Super-sectional, where it lost to eventual state champions Marist (Chicago).
25. Yorktown, Ind. (33-3)
Previous: 25.
Digs: Advanced to the Class 4A state championship.
Dropped out: No. 21 St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) and No. 22 Aledo (Texas).
Special Consideration: Pleasant Valley (Riverdale, Iowa)*; Fairport (N.Y.)*; Wakeland (Frisco, Texas); North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.)*; 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*; Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.); Old Tappan (N.J.) *; St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.); Plant (Tampa, Fla.); Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.)*; and Fulshear (Texas).
! Blue Star Media Net 25 National Champions
* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion [Note: a second asterisk indicates a team has multiple postseason titles.]
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.
