EVENTFUL: No. 11 Mother McAuley (IL) hosts ASICS Challenge; Nike TOC Southwest (AZ) features four teams from Blue Star Media Net 25 volleyball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – When the national tournaments are drawn up, it’s guaranteed the best of the best will be on the court or in your pool.

For the state associations who allow their schools to travel, it’s a blessing and same goes for the Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings. National events will shed light on the strength of the field and bolster a team’s standing and give lesser knowns a platform and reason to be ranked.

It also gives teams as the season heads into the third month (for most states) a chance to face top-notch competition and replicate the intensity of postseason volleyball.

Such is the case this weekend in Illinois and Arizona, where two showcase events start Friday with pool play before heading into brackets on Saturday.

In Chicago, the ASICS Challenge is set for Friday at Mother McAuley and the Oak Lawn (Ill.) Pavilion. Three teams from the Net 25, No. 11 McAuley, No. 12 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) and No. 20 Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.) are top seeds in their respective eight, three-team pools. The event is Illinois and Midwest heavy with teams from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kentucky and Louisiana.

The three brackets will be drawn up for Saturday in the Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions. The finals will be played at McAuley.

In addition to the aforementioned Net 25 teams, Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.), Marist (Chicago), Huntley (Ill.), Metairie Park Country Day (La.) and Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee) should be viewed as strong contenders.

Meanwhile, the Nike TOC Southwest will be played at the Legacy Sports Park in Mesa, Arizona. For those unable to attend, the event is streamed live by BeTheBeast on-demand. We attend the Nike TOC Southeast in Wesley Chapel, Florida, and had a blast. Such a talented field was assembled, mainly from Florida, but several out-of-state teams were invited.

Four teams from the Net 25, Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), Marymount (Los Angeles), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), are top seeds in the 32-team National Bracket. There are 24 teams in the Premier and 12 in the Elite.

No. 17 Cypress Ranch (Houston) and No. 24 Mountain View (Orem, Utah) join the Net 25 rankings. Both are among the top teams in Texas and Utah, respectively, and will be in line as a serious candidate to annex a state title in November.

That’s it for another week. The Net 25 could receive a jolt following major national tournaments in Mesa, Arizona and Chicago.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return on Oct. 5.

Before we sign off, “shanah tovah umtukah,” or a Happy New Year to our Jewish friends. On Sept. 28 at sundown was Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year. For your information it is year 5783.

And in Florida, Hurricane Ian is expected to hit the Gulf Coast this week, with Sarasota in the bull’s-eye. Keep those in the path of the hurricane along the East Coast in your thoughts and prayers.

Until next week, we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings, Sept. 28, 2022

1. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (26-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: The Dons continued their frenetic pace, crushing La Jolla, 25-10, 25-11, 25-11, and Point Loma (San Diego), 25-8, 25-21, 25-8, with relative ease in Western League play.

2. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (15-2)

Previous: 2.

Digs: Swept Santa Monica and Culver City in three sets apiece. Sophomore Taylor Deckert had nine digs and four service aces against Santa Monica and Emilia Kupiec topped the team with nine kills in the latter match.

3. Marian, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (26-0)

Previous: 3.

Digs: Won three matches at the Mustang Quad and defeated

4. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio (45-2)

Previous: 5.

Digs: Defeated Alexander (Laredo), 25-14, 25-13, 25-16.

5. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (19-1)

Previous: 7.

Digs: Won the Brebeuf Jesuit Invitational last weekend in Indianapolis. The regular season is down to six matches.

6. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (24-3)

Previous: 8.

Digs: The Trailblazers went 2-0 last week following a pair of three set victories in the Mission League. Their biggest regular season match will be with No. 7 Marymount on Oct. 6.

7. Marymount, Los Angeles (19-5)

Previous: 9.

Digs: Improved to 5-1 in the Mission League with straight set wins over Marlborough (Los Angeles) and Alemany (Mission Hills).

8. Fayetteville, Ark. (21-1)

Previous: 10.

Digs: After a road trip to Nevada, the Bulldogs returned home and swept a pair of conference matches against Rogers Heritage and Har-Ber (Springdale). Outside hitter Brooke Rockwell totaled 38 kills, 17 digs and eight aces in two outings and Kennedy Phelan had 66 assists.

9. Westminster Christian, Palmetto Bay, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 11.

Digs: Defeated Southwest (Miami), 25-15, 25-20, 25-12, in the lone match.

10. McCutcheon, Lafayette, Ind. (21-1)

Previous: 12.

Digs: Won the Crown Point Invitational, defeating four opponents and did not drop a set at the event. Purdue-bound outside hitter Chloe Chicoine was named Most Valuable Player and Allie Shondell and junior middle blocker Reanna Lee were added to the all-tournament team.

11. Mother McAuley, Chicago (17-1)

Previous: 4.

Digs: The Mighty Macs will host the prestigious ASICS Challenge on Friday and Saturday. Last week, they were upset by Marist (Chicago), 22-25, 19-25. The two teams could meet again this weekend.

12. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (21-4)

Previous: 17.

Digs: In a five-set slog, the Rockets held off crosstown rivals Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville), 19-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-13, 15-9. Charlotte Moriarity recorded 29 spikes, Kristen Simon had 33 digs and setter Whitney Woodrow handed out 62 assists and added 14 digs. The Rockets will compete this weekend at the ASICS Challenge in Chicago.

13. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (17-5)

Previous: 6.

Digs: The Monarchs will compete at the Nike Tournament of Champions Southwest in Arizona this weekend.

14. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (28-1)

Previous: 14.

Digs: The Lions swept John Paul II (Plano) and Trinity Christian (Addison) in three sets apiece.

15. Highland Park, Dallas (30-2)

Previous: 24.

Digs: Defeated Irving 25-13, 25-7, 25-10, and Berkner (Richardson) 25-11, 25-7, 25-11, to stay unbeaten in District 7-6A. The Scots have won their last 24 sets.

16. Yorktown, Ind. (22-2)

Previous: 16.

Digs: Defeated previously unbeaten Carroll (Fort Wayne) and Concordia Lutheran (Fort Wayne) in three sets apiece.

17. Cypress Ranch, Houston (32-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: The Mustangs entered the win having won 16 consecutive matches. Last week, they edged Bridgeland (Cypress, Texas), 16-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-12. Bianna Muoneke spiked 25 kills and added four aces, setter Kirby Kliafas had 49 assists and junior Gabby Eads had 26 digs. Also defeated Katy Cypress Lakes, 25-8, 25-6, 25-3.

18. Santa Fe, Alachua, Fla. (13-1)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Jalyn Stout put away 16 of 33 kills for a 48.5%, junior Olivia Beavers had five aces and Anisa Dorlouis  had 18 digs and 13 assists when the Raiders beat Florida State University High (Tallahassee), 25-16, 25-13, 25-11.

19. Nolensville, Tenn. (33-4)

Previous: 19.

Digs: The Knights won three matches at a quad event, including powerhouse program Cleveland (Tenn.), 25-21, 25-11. The schedule resumes this week with two matches in District 11-AAA.

20. Skutt Catholic, Omaha, Neb. (14-4)

Previous: 21.

Digs: Defeated Mercy (Omaha), 25-13, 25-14, 25-10 and Elkhorn, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20. The SkyHawks are off to Chicago for the ASICS Challenge this weekend plus a stand-alone match with powerhouse Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.) on Thursday.

21. Huntington Beach, Calif. (19-3)

Previous: 15.

Digs: Defeated Los Alamitos, 24-26, 30-28, 26-28, 25-14, 15-8, in a five-game thriller. Also fell to Newport Harbor, 25-17, 24-26, 18-25, 21-25. The Oilers currently sit atop the Surf League standings.

22. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (14-2)

Previous: 23.

Digs: Went 3-1 at the Eagle Invitational in Apple Valley but remain in the Net 25.

23. Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township, N.J. (8-1)

Previous: 25.

Digs: Outside hitter Brookelyn Talmadge put away 11 kills, Kalena Stavish had 27 assists and Abby Romero posted six digs when the Blue Eagles topped Ramapo, 25-17, 25-9. This week’s schedule features a date with Williamstown on Saturday.

24. Mountain View, Orem, Utah (15-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: The Bruins are undefeated in Utah and the state’s top-ranked Class 5A club entering October. Earlier this month, they went 5-2 at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vega, Nevada with three impressive wins. This week the Bruins play Region 8 rivals Timpanogos (Orem) and Timpview (Provo).

25. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, Calif. (17-7)

Previous: 13.

Digs: The Sea Hawks were upended by Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates) in four sets and are teetering on dropping out of the Net 25.

Dropped out: No. 20 Northfield (Minn.) and No. 22 North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.).

Special Consideration: Iolani School (Honolulu); Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.); Mountain View (Orem, Utah); Punahou School (Honolulu); Buford (Ga.); St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.); Pace Academy (Atlanta); Dike (Iowa)-New Hartford; Skyline (Ann Arbor, Mich.); Pope (Marietta, Ga.); Marshall (Minn.); Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati); Flint Hill (Oakton, Va.); Southwest (Lincoln, Neb.); Papillion (Neb.)-La Vista South; Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.); North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.); Sequoya (Canton, Ga.); Fairport (N.Y.); Lakewood (Calif.) and Penfield (N.Y.).

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. 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. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the season in November. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.