No. 20 Bob Jones (AL) Patriots join Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings after posting 42-win campaign; postseason rolls out in some areas

BENSALEM, Pa. – There was movement in the Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings and one addition from the South.

No. 20 Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.) enters the Net 25 after reaching the 42-win mark with two weeks remaining in the regular season. This weekend the Patriots travel to the Shrimp Fest Tournament in Gulf Shores.

That’s it for another week. October is here and the state or regional playoffs begun in some areas.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return Oct. 18. There is just over a month worth of rankings left. We’ll drop the final rankings before Thanksgiving.

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

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Oct. 11, 2023

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (33-2)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: Cymarah Gordon, a Michigan-bound outside hitter, spiked 19 kills and added four digs and three blocks and Brown-recruit and setter Julia Kakkis sending out 52 assists when the Monarchs defeated JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, to inch closer to the Trinity League championship. Malyssa Cawa (22 digs) and Tessa Hurley (13) combined for 35 digs. The Monarchs wrap up the regular season at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) with a chance at perfect 8-0 league record. The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 playoffs commence next week on Oct. 18.

2. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (33-2)

Previous: 2.

Digs: Won the Redondo/Mira Costa Power Classic, defeating Marymount (Los Angeles), 25-12, 25-13, in the final. Sophomore outside hitter Audrey Flanigan had 10 kills, Wisconsin-bound and MVP Charlie Fuerbringer had five kills and two service aces and junior Taylor Deckert added 14 digs to clinch the title. Bryn Shankle and Flanigan were named all-tournament. Additionally, the Mustangs are looking for an unbeaten mark in the Bay League and that season finale is with pesky Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) Thursday.

3. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (27-0)

Previous: 3.

Digs: The Royals continued to roll, defeating Franklin Central (Indianapolis), 25-9, 25-11, 25-16. The Class 4A Sectionals begin Thursday. The Regionals are Oct. 21 and the Semi-States on Oct. 28. The 4A final is slated for Ball State University’s Worthen Arena in Muncie on Nov. 4.

4. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (28-4)

Previous: 5.

Digs: The Lions crushed Bishop Lynch (Dallas) and then-No. 4 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.) in three sets. The regular season is down to five matches in TAPPS Class 6A, District 1.

5. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (23-4)

Previous: 4.

Digs: Lost at then-No. 5 Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, Texas), 25-23, 25-21, 25-16. The Dons entered the week with five more matches, capped at home with University City (San Diego) in Western League action.

6. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (26-4)

Previous: 6.

Digs: The Rockets are gearing up for the 26^th District playoffs that start on Oct. 16. First, they’ll need to knock off Paul Laurance Dunbar (Lexington) and No. 8 Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills) in the final two regular season matches.

7. Mother McAuley, Chicago (23-4)

Previous: 7.

Digs: After winning twice last week and with two more this week, the Might Macs are scheduled to play in the Autumnfest, considered one the Chicagoland’s top events this season, starting on Friday in Lombard, Ill.

8. Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills, Ky. (25-3)

Previous: 8.

Digs: Defeated Ryle (Union), 25-9, 25-19, 25-16, in last week’s lone match. The regular season concludes Thursday at No. 6 Assumption (Louisville) in a match that might decide the state championship next month.

9. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (25-0)

Previous: 9.

Digs: Won the Fall Classic in St. Michael-Albertville, sweeping five matches. Three matches left in the regular with two this week.

10. Grand Oaks, Spring, Texas (38-1)

Previous: 10.

Digs: Swept Willis and The Woodlands in three sets apiece. The Grizzlies are four wins from completing a perfect mark in District 13-6A play.

11. Papillion (Neb.)-La Vista South (30-0)

Previous: 11.

Digs: The Titans captured the five-team Skyhawk Invitational in Omaha and defeated the host school, Skutt Catholic (Omaha), 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, and stayed unbeaten on the campaign. South Dakota-bound Morgan Bode returned following on injury with six kills and two blocks and Lauren Medeck pounded out 16 kills.

12. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee (39-1)

Previous: 12.

Digs: The Dashers polished off six opponents this week after rare loss the previous weekend in Chicago, including four as the hostess of a tournament. The Dashers swept all eight games in winning the four. Two matches remain in the regular and the regionals begin on Oct. 19 with the WIAA Division 1 finals on Nov. 4 in Green Bay.

13. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (31-5)

Previous: 13.

Digs: The Trailblazers opened the week needing two wins for a perfect 10 in the Mission League and will conclude with Marlborough (Los Angeles) Wednesday. Maddie Way, a Hawaii pledge, added 19 kills and four blocks and junior libero Lauren Lynch had 23 digs and Sade Ilawole 42 assists in the three set sweep of Marymount (Los Angeles). The Blazers topped Alemany (Mission Hills), 25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16. Boston College-bound Danica Rach contributed 1e kills and 12 blocks. The CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs start Oct. 18.

14. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio (34-5)

Previous: 14.

Digs: Idle. The Warriors finished the season on Tuesday.

15. Carrollwood Day School, Tampa, Fla. (21-2)

Previous: 15.

Digs: The Patriots, who closed out the regular season on Monday, defeated Clearwater Central Catholic, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19. The Class 3A postseason is next.

16. Huntington Beach, Calif. (27-6)

Previous: 17.

Digs: The Oilers closed out the regular season Tuesday against Edison (Huntington Beach) in league play. Last week, they defeated Los Alamitos, 26-28, 24-26, 25-22, 25-16, 15-5, and Newport Harbor (Newport Beach), 25-16, 25-13, 24-26, 25-15.

17. Pace Academy, Atlanta (30-3)

Previous: 18.

Digs: The Knights are the top seed in the Class AAAA, Region 5 tournament that starts this week riding an 11-match win streak. Last week, the Knights polished off Blessed Trinity (Roswell), 25-14, 21-25, 25-22, 25-15.

18. Dripping Springs, Texas (41-3)

Previous: 19.

Digs: Defeated Akins (Austin) in three sets and three more District 25-6A matches are scheduled this week with none more important than Friday’s with Lake Travis (Austin) for the district title. The Tigers also faced No. 14 Cornerstone Christian School (San Antonio) Tuesday on the road.

19. Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township, N.J. (17-0)

Previous: 21.

Digs: New Jersey’s top-ranked team has won 34 of 35 sets this season, outscoring the opponents, 873-501. The Blue Eagles have four matches in the regular season before meeting Ramapo (Franklin Lakes) Saturday in the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals.

20. Bob Jones, Madison, Ala. (42-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: The Patriots enter the Net 25 rankings as Alabama’s top-ranked Class 7A team. This weekend they will compete at the Shrimp Fest Tournament in Gulf Shores, Ala.

21. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (24-3)

Previous: 23.

Digs: Defeated St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco), 25-19, 25-16, 25-14.

22. Alpharetta, Ga. (32-2)

Previous: 24.

Digs: Idle. The regional tournament is this week in Marietta, Oct. 11, 12 and 14.

23. Marist, Chicago (25-3)

Previous: 20.

Digs: Finished second at the Skyhawk Invitational, defeating Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, in Omaha.

24. Punahou School, Honolulu (25-2)

Previous: 22.

Digs: The Puns closed out the regular season dropping match in four sets to Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu) with the playoffs on the horizon.

25. Branson School, Ross, Calif. (20-4)

Previous: 25.

Digs: After sweeping San Marin (Novato) and Tamalpais in straight sets, the Bulls have two final regular season matches to complete a perfect record in the Marin County League.

Dropped out: No. 16 Viera (Fla.).

Special Consideration: Kamehameha-Kapalama (Honolulu); Lake Travis (Austin, Texas); Skyridge (Lehi, Utah); Dike (Iowa)-New Hartford; St. Mary’s (Lancaster, N.Y.); Pope John Paul II (Royersford, Pa.); Seton (Cincinnati);Archbishop Hannan (Covington, La.); Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.); Hudsonville (Mich.); Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.); Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kan.); Jesuit (Portland, Ore.); Xavier College Prep (Phoenix); 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.