No. 1 Mira Costa (CA), No. 2 Cornerstone Christian (TX) headline Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball teams traveling to Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas

BENSALEM, Pa. – Just when the Blue Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings paused and did not feature any new additions, a national event with an elite field is scheduled.

With a limited number of key national tournaments remaining on the docket, teams are settling into league, region and district play before the postseason cranks up next month.

The timing could not be any better.

Before addressing the tournament, the lone team to absorb a loss is No. 17 Pace Academy (Atlanta), a Georgia powerhouse, which lost in four sets to Buford. The Knights slipped four slots with three teams moving up one slot.

That means the Durango Fall Classic presented by ASICS in Las Vegas, Nevada takes center stage. The event will be played Friday and Saturday with nine Net 25 teams in the select field. Schools as far away as New York and Hawaii are scheduled to attend with the bulk of the top teams from nearby California.

With No. 1 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) in the house, the New 25’s top ranking is on the line. Last year, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.) won and coasted to an unbeaten season and the Blue Star Media Net 25 National Championship.

The 16 four-team pools were revealed on Tuesday. The event will be played at four Clark County schools: Durango, Desert Oasis, Silverado and Palo Verde. It gets underway locally at 1 p.m. PDT.

Some of the top players attending the Durango Fall Classic include Charlie Fuerbringer and Chloe Hynes of Mira Costa, Jenna Hanes of Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), Charlotte Moriarity of Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), Danica Rach of Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), Camille Edwards and Macaria Spears of Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas), Megan Fitch of Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), Layli Ostovar of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Alex Bower of Skyview (Nampa, Idaho).

We’ll have the results next time and perhaps a new No. 1.

That’ll do it for the second week of September.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return Sept. 27. Expect a shakeup after the dust settles in Las Vegas.

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

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Sept. 20, 2023

1. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (15-1)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: The Mustangs needed four sets to defeat Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates), 22-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-17. Right side Chloe Hynes spiked 11 kills and had five blocks and USC-bound defensive specialist Taylor Deckert handed out 24 digs and added three aces. The Mustangs will make the journey this weekend to the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio (22-1)

Previous: 2.

Digs: The Warriors go for a second straight national chip this weekend at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas.

3. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (17-0)

Previous: 3.

Digs: Defeated Westfield, 25-10, 25-16, 25-15. The Royals will compete in the Crown Point Invitational Saturday but first had a showdown vs. Indiana’s No. 2 Class 4A team, Roncalli (Indianapolis), on Tuesday.

4. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (14-2)

Previous: 4.

Digs: Idle. The Dons will look to defend their title at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas over the weekend.

5. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (22-2)

Previous: 5.

Digs: After tasting defeat for the first time the previous weekend, the Monarchs bounced back to take down two Trinity Leagues rivals, including a 25-19, 25-11, 25017 victory over JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano). Michigan-recruit Cymarah Gordon recorded 11 kills and four blocks while Brown-bound Julia Kakkis added 31 assists and seven digs. The Monarchs will attend the Durango Fall Classic in Nevada.

6. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (17-1)

Previous: 6.

Digs: Senior outside hitter Charlotte Moriarity put up 19 digs, five service points and 18 kills during a thrilling five-set win over crosstown rival Sacred Heart Academy, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-17, 15-9. The Rockets blast off this weekend for the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas against a national field.

7. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (11-0)

Previous: 7.

Digs: Minnesota’s top-ranked Class 4A team reeled off wins over Edina and Buffalo.

8. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (16-3)

Previous: 8.

Digs: It’s a big week for the Lions, who are headed to Nevada for the Durango Fall Classic on Friday and Saturday. Last week, they went to 2-0 in TAPPS Class 6A, Region 1 with wins over Bishop Lynch (Dallas) and Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth). In the former match, they Lions rallied to win, 26-28, 25-13, 25-15, 25-13.

9. Grand Oaks, Spring, Texas (34-1)

Previous: 9.

Digs: The Grizzlies barely broke a sweat in sweeping District 13 rivals New Caney and Conroe in three sets apiece. They are 7-0 in district play and in first place while entering this week having wiped out the last five opponents in three sets.

10. Papillion (Neb.)-La Vista South (18-0)

Previous: 10.

Digs: It was a banner weekend for the Titans, who captured their own 16-team Papillion-LaVista South Invitational, beating Lincoln Southwest, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22, in the final. South Dakota-bound Lauren Medeck smashed 11 kills, including eight in the final set.

11. Carrollwood Day School, Tampa, Fla. (14-1)

Previous: 11.

Digs: The Patriots knocked off Berkeley Prep(Tampa) and Trinity Catholic (Ocala) both in four sets.

12. Mother McAuley, Chicago (14-2)

Previous: 12.

Digs: Defeated St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.), 25-14, 25-15, and Downers Grove (Ill.) North, 25-11, 25-17. Michigan-pledge and outside hitter Ellie White totaled 25 kills and 20 digs, freshman setter Peyton Heatherly handed off 42 assists and senior Samantha Falk had 34 digs in both wins.

13. Viera, Fla. (11-2)

Previous: 14.

Digs: The Hawks rolled in three sets to top New Smyrna Beach, West Shore (Melbourne) and Bayside (Palm Bay). There are three more matches this week.

14. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (15-3)

Previous: 15.

Digs: For the fourth consecutive match, the Trailblazers swept opponent in three games. This weekend it’s a trip to the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas for one of the nation’s top tournaments.

15. Dripping Springs, Texas (36-2)

Previous: 16.

Digs: Defeated Westlake (Austin) and Austin in District 26-6A play.

16. Pope, Marietta, Ga. (25-2)

Previous: 17.

Digs: The Lady Greyhounds won the Rallyhigh Tournament, beating Brookwood (Snellville), 25-12, 25-21, in the final.

17. Pace Academy, Atlanta (19-3)

Previous: 13.

Digs: The Knights went 2-1 last week but were upset by Buford, 14-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22. There are seven matches remaining in the regular season.

18. Plano (Texas) West (18-3)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Defeated Lewisville and Plano each in three sets in District 6-6A play.

19. Flint Hill School, Oakton, Va. (11-2)

Previous: 18.

Digs: The Huskies captured two three set sweeps last week and host the Flint Hill Invitational this weekend. Also won the Endless Summer tournament in Virginia Beach.

20. Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 20.

Digs: In four wins, the Blue Eagles have dropped only one game. They have four matches this week with Wednesday’s encounter at Old Tappan a clash of Bergen County’s best. Senior outside hitter Maddie Sandt has 22 kills, junior Eve Roman 33 digs and senior setter Kalena Stavish has handed out 69 assists.

21. Punahou School, Honolulu (20-1)

Previous: 21.

Digs: The Puns took out three Interscholastic League of Honolulu rivals, including Kamehameha School (Honolulu), 16-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 15-13.

22. Huntington Beach, Calif. (16-4)

Previous: 22.

Digs: The Oilers regained their form with three-set sweeps of Los Alamitos and Marina (Huntington Beach). They go to the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas this weekend for the prestigious tournament.

23. Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills, Ky. (15-1)

Previous: 23.

Digs: The Pandas needed five sets but beat St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio), 18-25, 26-28, 25-23, 25-22, 15-14, in remarkable comeback fashion. Junior hitting tandem of Riley McCloskey had 18 kills and Ava Tilden added 16. Julia Grace had 23 digs and Lauren Ott contributed 18 and an outstanding 50 assists.

24. Venice, Fla. (10-2)

Previous: 24.

Digs: Defeated Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) and Clearwater Central Catholic in non-district matches.

25. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (20-0)

Previous: 25.

Digs: Defeated Oconomowoc, 19-25, 26-24, 15-12, in Menomonee Falls Charger Challenge final in Milwaukee. Madison Quest (16 spikes) and Sophia Wendlick combined for 26 spikes in the title match.

Dropped out: None.

Special Consideration: Lone Peak (Highland, Utah); Irondequoit (N.Y.); Georgetown Day (Washington, D.C.); St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.); Lincoln (Neb.) Southwest; St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.); Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.); Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.); Collierville (Tenn.); Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.); Northville (Mich.); Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio); Marymount (Los Angeles); Sprague (Salem, Ore.); and Oconomowoc (Wis.).

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.