No. 10 Cathedral Catholic (CA) claims major tournament chip in Orange County, enters Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – A familiar face returns to the Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings.

No. 10 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, Calif., ascends the Net 25 after capturing the David Mohs Memorial Tournament in Huntington Beach, Calif. The Dons improved to 17-1 after going 3-0 in pool play and then won three more matches in the National Division playoffs. Outside hitter Mae Kordas, a Yale recruit, had a stellar tournament and was tabbed the Most Valuable Player.

The Dons knocked off No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in a three-set thrilling final. This week the Dons play local rivals No. 19 Torrey Pines (San Diego) Thursday in the first of maybe three meetings between the powerhouse programs. The two could meet in the California Interscholastic Federation-San Diego Section and the Southern California Regional playoffs. We’ll have the result next week.

In the coming weeks, the national tournament scene has stops in Louisville, Ky., Chicago, Las Vegas and Mesa, Ariz. Surely these events will help shape the Net 25 and settle who’s the No. 1 team.

Before we sign off, it’s time for remembrance.

Take a moment to reflect on 9-11. Wednesday, Sept. 11 is the 23^rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in lower Manhattan, in the sky on United Airlines Flight 93 that eventually crash landed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Since I reside in New Jersey, about 15 minutes west of New York City, it hits home. For weeks after the attacks, there were plumes of smoke rising from the rubble in Lower Manhattan. Many lives were lost on a bright, sunny Tuesday morning and there are lives snuffed out today because of the residual effects of the attacks in New York. Heroes were born that day and others made the ultimate sacrifice to help save lives at the WTC.

Emotions are still raw. For weeks after 9/11, there were parties held for the fallen when their families realized the inevitable and needed to celebrate their good lives. Religious services from all faiths were held and the tri-state was cast into a state of disbelief and mourning. My recollection was people walking with their heads down like zombies. Nary a word was spoken on the streets.

Eventually, life returned to some semblance of normalcy but it has never been the same.

You should take a moment on Wednesday morning for silent prayer or reflection at 8:25 a.m. EDT. Do it for the fallen police, firemen, first responders and ordinary citizens that senselessly perished. Never forget the victims and their families.

Well, that’ll do it for the first week of September. The Blue Star Media Net 25 rankings return on Sept. 18.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Sept. 11, 2024

1. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (17-1)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: The nation’s top-ranked team rolled over Hockaday (Dallas), 25-14, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16. The Lions have two matches this week.

2. Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas (21-1)

Previous: 2.

Digs: Swept Euless Trinity, 25-6, 25-9, 25-18. This week, the Bobcats have two matches in District 4-6A.

3. Plant, Tampa, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 4.

Digs: Traveled to South Florida, defeating St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) and Westminster Christian (Miami).

4. Dripping Springs, Texas (33-1)

Previous: 5.

Digs: Outside hitter Henley Anderson spiked 10 kills and had 11 digs and Lourdes Frontera had 24 assists as the Tigers swept Buda Hays, 25-13, 25-18, 25-15. Huge match for the Tigers on Friday against No. 7 Cornerstone Christian School (San Antonio).

5. Carrollwood Day, Tampa, Fla. (11-1)

Previous: 6.

Digs: The Patriots won a tournament last week at the Wiregrass Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel, Fla.

6. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (8-0)

Previous: 7.

Digs: Dropped a set for the first time this season but still defeated Lincoln-Way Easy (Frankfort), 23-25, 25-23, 25-21. The Redwings have three home matches this week before heading to the Wheaton Classic on Sept. 18 and 21.

7. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio, Texas (20-1)

Previous: 9.

Digs: The Warriors play state powerhouse and No. 4 Dripping Springs on Friday.

8. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (9-1)

Previous: 10.

Digs: Defeated previously unbeaten Carroll (Fort Wayne), 27-25, 25-20, 25-16. Senior Lindsey Mangelson and junior Madison Miles each had 15 kills. Senior Ava Hunter added 36 assists.

9. Alpharetta, Ga. (19-0)

Previous: 12.

Digs: Georgia’s top-ranked team collected easy three set wins over Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross) and Lambert (Suwanee). The Raiders are back at it this week with two Region 6-6A matches.

10. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (17-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: Won David Mohs Memorial Tournament National Division with an impressive run of wins, including a tight three-set thriller over No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the final. Yale-bound outside hitter Mae Kordas was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

11. Mercy, Farmington Hills, Mich. (8-0)

Previous: 13.

Digs: The Marlins will compete in the Motor City Power Series on Saturday.

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

Previous: 15.

Digs: Idle. The Rockets face Mercy (Louisville) and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) this week before heading crosstown to compete in the prestigious Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament over the weekend.

13. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (11-3)

Previous: 23.

Digs: Advanced to the final of the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament in Huntington Beach, falling to No. 10 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 14-25, 30-28, 14-16. Sophomore middle blocker Emma Kingston and senior outside hitter Preslie Saunders were named to the all-tournament team.

14. Huntington Beach, Calif. (16-1)

Previous: 14.

Digs: Lost for the first time this season to No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 27-29, 19-25 in the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament. The Oilers play Marina (Huntington Beach) and New Harbor (Newport Beach) this week.

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

Previous: 3.

Digs: The Mustangs suffered a rare three-set defeat in a 23-25, 17-25, 19-25 decision at No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Junior Audrey Flanagan had 16 kills, 10 service points and 10 digs and junior setters Milly McGee (14 assists) and Reese Stringer (13) combined to dish out 27 assists.

16. Skutt Catholic, Omaha, Neb. (7-1)

Previous: 8.

Digs: The SkyHawks split two matches last weekend in Kansas City. The lone match of the week was played on Tuesday against Pius X (Lincoln). On the horizon is a tournament in Las Vegas on Sept. 20-21.

17. Marymount, Los Angeles (13-2)

Previous: 16.

Digs: Defeated Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 25-15, 25-17, 27-25.

18. Roncalli, Indianapolis (14-0)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Won four matches to capture the Providence Tournament title and have two matches this week with Center Grove (Greenwood) and Martinsville. Addie Haberthy surpassed 1,000 career assists, including 41 versus Cathedral (Indianapolis).

19. Torrey Pines, San Diego, Calif. (3-2)

Previous: 11.

Digs: Lost to JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 25-9, 25-20, 18, 25, 23-25, 15-10. Sophomore setter Emery Gonzalez had 47 assists and junior outside hitter Finn Krystkowiak, a 6-4 Penn State commit, spiked 23 kills. The Falcons meet No. 10 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) on Thursday afternoon in an area showdown.

20. Mount St. Mary Catholic, Oklahoma City (21-1)

Previous: 19.

Digs: The Rockets recorded six wins last week and have two more matches on Tuesday and Thursday.

21. Mother McAuley, Chicago (8-0)

Previous: 20.

Digs: Senior Abbey Williams pounded out eight kills and had 11 digs and sophomore setter Peyton Heatherly handed out 15 assists in a 25-12, 25-18 victory over Sandburg (Orland Park). This week the Mighty Macs are off to Louisville, Kentucky, where they face Sacred Heart Academy on Thursday and then play in the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

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

Previous: 21.

Digs: Idle. The Sea Hawks have two matches this week, including Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

23. Lakeville (Minn.) North (9-0)

Previous: 22.

Digs: Won the Southwest Minnesota Challenge, defeating rivals Champlin Park 17-25, 25-18, 15-12 in the final. It was the Panthers’ second win of the season against Champlin Park.

24. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (9-0)

Previous: 23.

Digs: The Dashers swept aside Wauwatosa East and Kettle Moraine Lutheran (Jackson) and will play in a tournament at Lincoln (Manitowoc) on Saturday.

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

Previous: 25.

Digs: The Eagles opened their season on Monday, Sept. 9 at Demarest.

Dropped out: No. 17. Cypress Ranch (Cypress, Texas).

Special Consideration: St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.); Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas); Champlin Park (Champlin, Minn.); Marist (Chicago); Dominican (New Orleans); Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas); Yorktown (Ind.); Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.); Rocklin (Calif.); Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.); Stratford (Houston); Colleyville (Texas) Heritage; Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Fairport (N.Y.).
Records through Sunday’s matches

 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.