No. 3 Mira Costa (CA), No. 8 Sierra Canyon (CA) to meet in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final; 4 state champions crowned from Blue Star Media Net 25 volleyball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – The chase is beginning to wind down and state championships are dangled for teams from the Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings. Only three weekends of volleyball remain and that’s a wrap.

Will it be a November to remember for the Net 25 teams?

Last week, Christmas came early for four teams, capping their seasons with state championships in Arkansas, Hawaii and Kansas. All that hard work, travel and dedication paid off for No. 17 Fayetteville (Ark.) capturing the Class 6A title; No. 18 Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.) took Class 6A and No. 24 St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.) won Class 5A and No. 22 Iolani (Honolulu) is Hawaii’s Division I champions.

Congratulations, ladies and coaches, take a bow!

We must admit there are two sites for the upcoming weekend that is prime for must-see volleyball. In Muncie, Indiana, No. 4 Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers) meets No. 10 Yorktown for the Class 4A title on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on the Ball State University campus. It’s a showdown that all Hoosiers have been waiting for. You can stream the four Indiana title matches for a fee here.

In Norwalk, California, the stakes have been ratcheted up as the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 championship is on the line between pool winners No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) and No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) at Cerritos College. First serve is slate for 10 p.m. ET. Both teams will enter the regionals next week.

Nine Net 25 teams will be playing for state, sectional or regional tournament titles this week. Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon and Kentucky will crown champions. New Jersey, Texas and Michigan are just getting started. Florida and Illinois are nearing the end.

No. 25 Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) is unbeaten and in the hunt for the Class 6A title this weekend near Portland. It just so happens the Crusaders the lone newbies to the Net 25 rankings. The quarterfinals and semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday.

The shift in the Net 25 features No. 18 Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.) rising two slots and five others that have moved up one. Fifteen schools remain the same but No. 11 Marymount (Los Angeles) dipped five after a loss in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 pool play. The Sailors will get a chance to defend their Division 1 state championship when the regional playoff bracket is drawn up this weekend and will start on Nov. 8, culminating on Nov. 18 and 19 at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

Indeed, it’ll be a month to remember and savor. We’ll bring it all to you.

Well, that’s it for the month of October and the third month of the season. The month of November means closing time nationwide for the schoolgirl scene. It’ll pick up again with the club season in January. Thank you for clicking on our Net 25 rankings. According to the metrics, we’re gaining traction weekly on the web and social media sites.

The Blue Star Media Net 25 girls’ volleyball rankings return on Nov. 9. Stay safe!

Be sure to attend a playoff match this week. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Net 25 Girls’ Volleyball Rankings, Nov. 2, 2022

1. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, Calif. (36-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Digs: Defeated Del Norte (San Diego), 25-11, 25-9, 25-8, in the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division first round. The Dons met La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) Tuesday in the semifinals. The Open Division final is Friday.

2. Cornerstone Christian School, San Antonio (55-2)

Previous: 2.

Digs: Season complete.

3. Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (36-3)

Previous: 3.

Digs: The Mustangs booked their ticket for the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 final by capturing Pool A with a 3-0 record. In the final match, they stopped No. 19 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 22-25, 15-11, pulse-thickening five set evening. Drew Wright put away 25 kills and added 11 digs and Tanon Rosenthal had 17 kills. The Mavericks face No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) on Saturday for the title. In the semifinals, it was a sweep of Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, 25-15, 25-21, 25-17. Wright produced 22 kills and 20 service receptions and Taylor Deckert 13 digs.

4. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (33-1)

Previous: 4.

Digs: The Royals won their Class 4A semi-states match over Lake Central (St. John), 25-15, 25-12, 25-23. Senior Avery Hobson pounded out 15 kills and added 7 digs and 5 blocks. Setters Macy Hinshaw (21 assists) and sophomore Ava Hunter (19) teamed for 40 assists to spearhead the attack. Up next is the Class 4A final versus No. 10 Yorktown on Saturday evening at the Ball State University’s Worthen Arena in Muncie.

5. Marian, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (42-1)

Previous: 5.

Digs: Ella Shields smashed 11 kills and 12 digs and Campbell Flynn handed out 14 assists as the Mavericks swept archrivals Mercy (Farmington Hills), 25-19, 25-16, 25-16, to win the Detroit Catholic League Bishop Division championship. The Division 1 District 25 tournament opens on Wednesday against Groves (Birmingham). The final is Friday with the winner moving onto the Regional 7.

6. Westminster Christian, Palmetto Bay, Fla. (25-0)

Previous: 7.

Digs: The Warriors advanced to the Class 3A, Region 4 final by taking down Riviera Prep (Miami), 25-7, 25-14, 25-20, in the semifinals. Next up was Divine Savior Academy (Doral) on Tuesday in the final. The Class 3A state semifinals are Friday and the final is Nov. 11.

7. Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas (37-1)

Previous: 8.

Digs: The Lions captured the TAPPS Class 6A, District 1 title with a 12-0 record. In the regular-season closer, they trounced Rouse, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23. Junior Camille Edwards assisted 18 times and sophomore Marcia Spears had 15 kills and 3 service aces. The TAPPS 6A tournament will be played Nov. 11 and 12 in Robinson.

8. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (32-4)

Previous: 9.

Digs: Won Pool B of the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 playoffs, beating then-No. 6 Marymount (Los Angeles), 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 15-9. Pittsburgh-bound outside hitter Olivia Babcock crushed 22 kills, Danica Rach had 21 kills and Jaida Sione 19. Jada Lynch added 26 digs and setter Sade Ilawole dished off 66 assists. The Trailblazers also beat Huntington Beach, 25-18, 25-17, 25-14. Up next is No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) on Saturday in the sectional final.

9. Highland Park, Dallas (40-2)

Previous: 10.

Digs: The Scots enter the Class 6A bi-district playoff game this week with an 18-match win streak, including a 14-0 record in District 7-6A. They finished up beating Dripping Springs, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21.

10. Yorktown, Ind. (34-2)

Previous: 11.

Digs: Advanced to the Class 4A state championship match, defeating Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs), 25-11, 23-25, 25-21, 25-16, in the semi-states. The Tigers face No. 4 Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers) on Saturday for the title in nearby Muncie.

11. Marymount, Los Angeles (30-9)

Previous: 6.

Digs: Went 1-2 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Pool B playoffs, losing to No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) and Newport Harbor in five sets apiece.

12. McCutcheon, Lafayette, Ind. (33-2)

Previous: 12.

Digs: Season complete.

13. Barrington, Ill. (36-1)

Previous: 13.

Digs: The Fillies moved into the Class 4A Gurnee Sectional with two victories in regional tournament action. They faced Grant (Fox Lake) on Monday in the semifinals and would play Glenbrook South (Glenview) or Libertyville on Wednesday in the final.

14. Cypress Ranch, Houston (42-2)

Previous: 14.

Digs: Finished the regular season by dispatching Fulshear, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18, in a non-district match. The Mustangs enter the Class 6A playoffs after posting a perfect 14-0 mark in District 16-6A. They opened with Tomball Memorial on Tuesday in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs. The Area playoff match would contested on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

15. Mother McAuley, Chicago (34-3)

Previous: 15.

Digs: The Mighty Macs swept Argo (Summit) and Lane Tech (Chicago) in two sets apiece to win the Class 4A regional title. This week it’s the LaGrange Sectional in Lyons with the final on Wednesday.

16. Santa Fe, Alachua, Fla. (27-2)

Previous: 16.

Digs: In the Class 4A, Region 2 semifinals, Jalyn Stout contributed 12 kills and 15 assists and Miya Thomas added 4 service aces when the Raiders crushed Astronaut (Titusville), 25-6, 25-7, 25-6. The Raiders played Bishop Moore (Orlando) Tuesday in the region final. If they advance, the Class 4A semifinals are Friday and the final would be Nov. 12.

17. Fayetteville, Ark. (37-2)*

Previous: 17.

Digs: The Bulldogs completed their trifecta, capturing a third consecutive Class 6A state crown, sweeping Fort Smith Southside, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18. The Purple Dogs capped season in which they did not drop a single set to an in-state school. It marked the seventh state title since 2017.

In the semifinals, the Bulldogs swept Cabot, 25-16, 25-12, 25-18, as senior Brooke Rockwell recorded a double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs. Season complete.

18. Washburn Rural, Topeka, Kan. (45-1)*

Previous: 20.

Digs: Won Class 6A state tournament, beating Blue Valley (Overland Park), 25-21, 26-24, in the final. The Lady Blues topped Mill Valley (Shawnee), 25-9, 25-18 in the semifinals. They also went 3-0 in pool play to advance into the semifinals. It was the program’s eighth title and first since 2012. Season complete.

19. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-9)

Previous: 18.

Digs: Junior Isabel Clark spiked 18 kills and 20 digs and sophomore Ayva Ostovar handed out 28 assists but it wasn’t enough as the Monarchs fell to No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), 23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 11-15, in the Pool A finale of the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. Pool A pool play. Also beat Lakewood, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22. The CIF-Southern Region playoffs are next.

20. Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township, N.J. (25-1)

Previous: 19.

Digs: Idle. The Blue Eagles are the top seed for the NJSIAA Non-Public A state tournament that starts on Wednesday hosting St. Thomas Aquinas (Edison).

21. Assumption, Louisville, Ky. (32-7)

Previous: 21.

Digs: Defeated DuPont Manual (Louisville), 25-17, 25-20, 25-21, to capture the 7th Region championship. Junior Charlotte Moriarity pounded out 18 kills. The Rockets open the state tournament against Owensboro Catholic on Halloween. The semifinal and championship matches are Friday in Winchester.

22. Iolani School, Honolulu (24-5)*

Previous: 22.

Digs: Won Division I state championship, sweeping rivals Kamehameha-Hawaii (Honolulu), 25-18, 25-17, 25-22, in the final. Brooke Naniseni spiked 16 kills, Senna Roberts-Navarro added 10 kills and libero Tessa Onaga added 34 digs and was named Most Outstanding Player. It was the fourth state title for the Raiders and the first since 2018. In the semifinals, they defeated Mililani (Honolulu), 25-14, 25-9, 25-15. Season complete.

23. Lincoln (Neb.) Southwest (30-3)

Previous: 23.

Digs: Won the District A-2 tournament title, defeating Millard North (Omaha) in the three-set final. The Silver Hawks play Millard West (Omaha) on Wednesday in the Class A quarterfinals in Lincoln. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday

24. St. Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park, Kan. (40-3)*

Previous: 24.

Digs: Won the Class 5A state championship, edging St. James Academy (Lenexa), 25-22, 22-25, 25-23. In the semifinals, the Saints knocked off Topeka Seaman, 25-15, 19-25, 25-9. It was the program’s third title in four seasons and ninth overall. Season complete.

25. Jesuit, Portland, Ore. (31-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Digs: The Crusaders are the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A state tournament and already eliminated Gresham in the first round and South Salem in the second. They meet Sprague (Salem) Friday in the quarterfinals and later that day the semifinals against Nelson or Oregon City. The final is Saturday in Forest Grove.

Dropped out: No. 25 Mountain View (Orem, Utah).

Special Consideration: Northville (Mich.); Liberty (Mo.) North; Buford ( Ga.); Brandon (Miss.)*; St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.); Dike (Iowa)-New Hartford; Edmond (Okla.) Memorial*; Oconomowoc (Wis.); St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.); Pope (Marietta, Ga.); St. Mary’s (Lancaster, N.Y.); Tompkins (Katy, Texas); Cleveland (Tenn.)*; Lakeville (Minn.) North; Marshall (Minn.); Bountiful (Utah); Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati); Flint Hill (Oakton, Va.); Papillion (Neb.)-La Vista South; Magnificat (Rocky River, Ohio); Fairport (N.Y.); Pope (Marietta, Ga.); Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.); Penfield (N.Y.); Notre Dame Academy (Park Hill, Ky.) and North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.).

* Denotes a state or conference tournament champion

 Records 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. 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.