No. 1 Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX) remains atop Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings after winning Volleypalooza

BENSALEM, Pa. – The serve is up on another girls’ volleyball season and

Blue Star Media Net 25 rankings are here.

No. 1 Prestonwood Christian Academy of Plano, Texas atop the heap is the top dog for now.

Last weekend, No. 4 Plant (Tampa, Fla.) won the Nike Tournament of Championships Southeast Platinum Division title, going 6-0, in Gainesville, Fla.

Meanwhile, Prestonwood Christian won the Volleypalooza (near Austin) on Saturday, cementing their early season legacy.

Essentially, it’s a road map but the journey has just begun. California and Texas the hotbeds for the Net 25.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 volleyball rankings return Sept. 11.

Bye for now.

Stay safe! We hope to see you a game soon.—Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Sept. 4, 2024

1. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (16-1)

Previous rank: 4.

Digs: Won the prestigious Volleypalooza championship in Leander, Texas. Macaria Spears played like the nation’s top player. Gillian Pitts controlled the net and outside hitter Anya Baylenko and setter Taylor were instrumental in winning the chip. Next national event is at the Durango Fall Classic (Sept. 20-21) in Las Vegas.

2. Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas (20-1)

Previous: 2.

Digs: The Bobcats won the Ann Kang Invitational championship in Honolulu in August. They have three Division I recruits in outside hitter Sydnee Peterson (Rice), Kylie Kleckner (Washington) and Ashlyn Seay (Rice).

3. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (9-2)

Previous: 3.

Digs: Finished third at the Ann Kang Invitational and did record a key win closer to home over No. 16 Marymount (Los Angeles). The Mustangs are led by outside hitters Simone Roslon and Audrey Flanagan and libero Taylor Deckert.

4. Plant, Tampa, Fla. (7-0)

Previous: 4.

Digs: Won the Nike Tournament of Champions Southeast Platinum Division championship with six straight wins in the elite bracket against national competition. The Panthers toppled No. 6 Sandalwood Day (Tampa) in two straight sets. Leading the way were outside hitter Maggie Dostic and setter Sophie Dostic.

5. Dripping Springs, Texas (31-1)

Previous: 5.

Digs: Finished second at the Volleypalooza, going 7-1 before losing to No. 1 Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, Texas) in straight sets in the final. The Tigers have two non-district matches this week. Libero Callie Krueger excelled at the event and so did outside hitter Henley Anderson.

6. Carrollwood Day, Tampa, Fla. (1-0)

Previous: 6.

Digs: Finished second in the Platinum Division of the Nike TOC Southeast in Gainesville, Fla. Sophomore sensation and outside hitter Lydia Chinchar crushed it over two days and teammates setter Jansen Wabritton and libero/defensive specialist Mattea Casale also shone.

7. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (6-0)

Previous: 7.

Digs: The loaded Redwings start the season as Illinois’ top-ranked Class 4A team after losing in last year’s state final. So far, they’ve swept 12 straight sets to commence the season and won the Blue and Gold Tournament in Wheaton, Ill. They also have four seniors off to Division I programs, including setter Audrey (Colorado) and Morgan (Dayton) Aleson, and three from the junior class.

8. Skutt Catholic, Omaha, Neb. (6-0)

Previous: 8.

Digs: Won the Bellevue West Invitational last weekend, defeating Papillion (Neb.)-LaVista South, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, in the final. That’s the first hardware of the term for the Skyhawks, who look to annex a 10^th straight Class B state title. Addison West and Abbie Hagedorn are the main hitters. This weekend it’s a trip to the Kansas City area for two key matches.

9. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio, Texas (16-1)

Previous: 9.

Digs: Won the Kamehameha Schools Labor Day Classic Gold Division last weekend in Honolulu. The Warriors defeated Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), 25-21, 25-18, in the final.

10. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (6-1)

Previous: 10.

Digs: The two-time defending Class 4A champions saw their win streak stopped at 71 matches in four sets to Brownsburg (Ind.). The Royals feature Madison Miles, Ava Hunter, Kaylyn Christy and Lindsey Mangelson.

11. Torrey Pines, San Diego, Calif. (3-1)

Previous: 11.

Digs: The Falcons lost to No. 3 Mira Costa but beat No. 23 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in four sets. Up next is JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) Thursday in a showdown in Orange County. Sophomore setter Emery Gonzalez and 6-4 junior outside hitter Finley Krystykowiak (Penn State pledge) are key components for coach Brennan Dean.

12. Alpharetta, Ga. (17-0)

Previous: 12.

Digs: The Raiders have won 33 of 35 sets during their perfect start. They have two more matches this week during their quest for a second straight Class 6A state crown.

13. Mercy, Farmington Hills, Mich. (4-0)

Previous: 13.

Digs: Senior setter Campbell Flynn (Nebraska), Michigan’s Gatorade player of the year and a USA national team regular, is one of the nation’s top players and orchestrates the offense. Sophomore Kate Kalcznski and juniors Maya Zarow and Cree Holler pound out the spikes and 6-4 Ella Andrews is a net presence with her length. The Marlins are defending Division 1 champions and host the Michigan Volleyball Classic on Saturday night, facing Northern (Forest Hills).

14. Huntington Beach, Calif. (9-0)

Previous: 14.

Digs: The Oilers have peeled off nine consecutive victories and middle blocker Taylor Ponchak (Stanford) and libero Olivia Foye (Princeton) are central players in the CIF-Southern Section and Sunset-Surf League.

15. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (9-0)

Previous: 15.

Digs: The defending State Champions (single class) aim for a 24^th state title and have won easily in their first four matches. They played crosstown rivals Sacred heart Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The Rockets still have two major in-season tournaments in Louisville and Chicago. Coach Ron Kordes’ lineup features returnees middle blocker/opposite Bailey Blair, outside hitter Emma Barnett, junior outside hitter Ella Askin, setter Emilee Fuller and libero Kristen Simon (Wisconsin).

16. Marymount, Los Angeles (9-0)

Previous: 16.

Digs: One of the top teams from the CIF-Southern Section Open Division has already knocked off No. 21 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.) in five sets with junior outside hitter Samantha Destler (Washington) and the versatile Ryan Gilhooly the main cogs.

17. Cypress Ranch, Cypress, Texas (17-3)

Previous: 17.

Digs: Advanced to the quarterfinals of the Volleypalooza, falling to No. 1 Prestonwood Christian Academy in straight sets. At 6-1, sophomore middle blocker Saniya Reynolds had a solid weekend in Leander, Texas, holding her own against some of the top hitters.

18. Roncalli, Indianapolis (8-0)

Previous: 18.

Digs: In eight games, the Royals have not dropped a set in 20 attempts and dropped from Class 4A to 3A making them the preseason favorites. Key returnees are junior Lydia Stahley (Missouri), middle blockers MacKenzie Kruer (Michigan State for soccer) and sophomore Ella Stone, Eva Hurrle (DePaul), junior Reagan Turk (West Virginia) and junior setter Addie Haberthy compose a formidable lineup. The Royals face No. 10 Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers)  on Sept. 24 in a battle between Indiana powerhouses. This week it’s a date with rivals Cathedral (Indianapolis) on Tuesday, Set. 3.

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

Previous: 19.

Digs: Advanced to the semifinals of the Volleypalooza in Leander, Texas. Washington State-bound Livia Ward and 6-foot middle blocker Georgia Ahlert are team leaders for the Rockets, who suffered their first loss last weekend at a quality event.

20. Mother McAuley, Chicago (7-0)

Previous: 20.

Digs: The Mighty Macs have not dropped a set in seven matches for Illinois’ most decorated girls program with 17 state titles, including the last two in Class 4A. Last weekend, they captured a tournament at Matea Valley. Outside hitter Sydney Buchanan (Memphis), junior libero Lucy Maloney (Clemson)

21. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, Calif. (9-3)

Previous: 21.

Digs: The Sea Hawks are one of California’s top teams and have already shown they are worthy of the Net 25 ranking with a second place finish at the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii and regular season three-set sweep of No. 23 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Setter Bella Jones quarterbacks the team and outside hitter Abby Zimmerman and middle blocker Taylor Boice are top-rated players from the Class of 2026.

22. Lakeville (Minn.) North (3-0)

Previous: 22.

Digs: The Panthers touched off the season by beating Minnesota preseason Class 4A’s No. 1 Champlin Park, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-11, in a five-set thriller. Expect them to meet again in the postseason. Junior setter Rayna Christianson (Marquette) is the team facilitator.

23. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (7-0)

Previous: 23.

Digs: The two-time Division I state champions are off to a flying start and have won all 14 sets and captured a tournament last weekend at Homestead (Mequon, Wis.). The Dashers rely on outside hitter Madison Quest (Wisconsin), setter Jordan Czajkowski (Belmont) and senior setter Olivia Durst (Michigan State).

24. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (4-2)

Previous: 8.

Digs: First-year coach Dan O’Dell inherited a program that was crowned the Blue Star Media Net 25 National Champions. Two losses are to Net 25 teams Torrey Pines and Redondo Beach. Junior outside hitter Layli Ostovar (USC recruit) and a pair of sophomores, outside hitter and transfer Westley Matavao (not eligible yet) and middle blocker Emma Kingston, are big-time recruits. Presley Kiffin is one of the top hitters from the first month.

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

Previous: 25.

Digs: The Eagles won a second straight Non-Public A state championship and 17 overall state title with one loss in 28 outings. Outside hitters Julia Sobilo and Eve Roman (153 kills) and middle blocker Rachel Paton will clog up the net. The Eagles open the season at rivals Demarest on Sept. 9.

Dropped out: None.

Special Consideration: Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas); Champlin Park (Champlin, Minn.); JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.); Rocklin (Calif.); McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.); Southlake (Texas) Carroll; Liberty Hill (Texas); Dominican (New Orleans); Marist (Chicago); Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas); Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.); Iolani School (Honolulu) and Argyle (Texas).

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.