Top 25 national high school girls volleyball rankings (9/12/2023)

Unbeaten Hamilton Southeastern (Indiana) stays at No. 1 in SBLive's national rankings; five Texas teams are ranked

Midway through September, the Hamilton Southeastern Royals (Fishers, Indiana) are still on the march for greatness in 2023.

Unbeaten HSE (15-0) remained at No. 1 in SBLive's Week 4 Power 25 national high school girls volleyball rankings after reeling off four more victories, including a 3-1 triumph against Indiana rival Yorktown in a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state title match. The defending state champ Royals feature a whopping seven Division I commits, including 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter Lauren Hardy (Florida) and junior outside hitter Lindsey Mangelson (Mississippi State), who are headed to the always tough Southeastern Conference.

Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), and Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio) remain at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

New to the poll are No. 21 Punahou of Honolulu, and No. 24 Carrollwood Day School of Tampa.

The SBLive Power 25 national high school girls volleyball rankings include teams affiliated with state high school athletic associations in the state they compete in or those allowed to play affiliate high schools in their home state and beyond.

The rankings will be released weekly throughout the 2023 volleyball season. Find the complete breakdown of the SBLive Power 25 below.

The Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive freelancer Jeff Gardenour based on research and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the nation. Reach Jeff on Twitter @JMarkG1962 or email him at jgardenour1962@gmail.com.

1. Hamilton Southeastern

(Fishers, Indiana) (15-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals ripped off four more victories, including a 3-1 (25-8, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20) triumph against Yorktown (13-3) in a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state championship match. It was the first time Hamilton had dropped a set all season after 11 straight sweeps. The Royals then swept Fishers, held off Cathedral of Indianapolis, 3-1, and beat Lake Central of St. John, 3-0.

2. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (13-1)

Last week: 2

The Mustangs had to battle last Friday against Torrey Pines of San Diego, pulling out a 3-2 victory. It was the first time this season that Mira Costa was pushed to five sets. The Mustangs, who have won 11 straight, host Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates on Tuesday, and Palos Verdes (Estates) on Thursday.

3. Cornerstone Christian

(San Antonio, Texas) (19-1)

Last week: 3

The Warriors, who play an independent schedule, stretched their win streak to 10 with a 3-0 victory against Canyon of New Braunfels (25-9). They take on La Vernia and Westlake of Austin this week. Outside hitter Megan Fitch, middle hitter Elly Stewart, Grace Carroll and junior setter/opposite hitter Kaia Thiele lead the Warriors.

4. Grand Oaks

(Spring, Texas) (32-1)

Last week: 5

The Grizzlies ran their win streak to five with two more victories last week, sweeping The Woodlands (18-11) and Oak Ridge of Conroe (22-7) in a pair of 3-0 matches. They take on New Carney and Conroe this week.

5. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (13-0)

Last week: 7

The Holy Angels continue to soar, sweeping West Allis, 3-0, before going 3-0 in the Manitowoc Lincoln Tournament on Saturday with three more 2-0 sweeps. The defending WIAA Division 1 state champs are led by senior outside hitter/rightside hitter Sophia Wendlick, sophomore middle blocker Maddie Brown, junior Libero Olivia Durst, junior setter Jordan Czajkowski, and junior outside hitter/rightside hitter Madison Quest.

6. Papillon La Vista South

(Papillon, Nebraska) (12-0)

Last week: 10

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans beat Heritage Christian Academy (Olathe, Kan.), Olathe West (Kan.), St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.) (11-2), and Piux X of Lincoln to remain unbeaten. The Titans are led by senior outside hitter Lauren Medeck, freshman middle hitter Lyric Judson, senior middle hitters Kate Ligon and Morgan Bode, junior setter/right-side hitter Charlee Solomon, and senior setter/defensive specialist Kyla Dyrstad.

7. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (14-2)

Last week: 15

The defending national champion Dons are suddenly back on track after going 6-0 and winning the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament at Edison High. They upended former No. 1 Mater Dei, 19-25, 25-19, 15-10, for the championship. Last year, the Dons won the California State Open Division title and finished unbeaten (42-0).

8. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (20-2)

Last week: 9

The Monarchs last week defeated Foothill of Santa Ana and Redondo (Beach) Union before going 5-1 and finishing as runner-up in the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament at Edison High.

9. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (16-1)

Last week: 18

The Rockets enjoyed their best week, yet, by going 5-0 to win the 2023 Adidas LIVT – a tournament they co-hosted in Louisville. Assumption beat previously unbeaten and No. 8 Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Ky.) for the championship. The Rockets, who have won 11 straight, are led by senior outside hitter Charlotte Moriarty, junior middle blocker/opposite Bailey Blair, senior middle blocker Ava Swan, junior Libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon, senior outside hitter/opposite Chloe Smith, junior Libero Kristen Simon, and junior setter Emilee Fuller.

10. Notre Dame Academy

(Park Hills, Kentucky) (13-1)

Last week: 8

The Pandas last week beat Campbell County of Alexandria before going 4-1 in the 2023 Adidas LIVT. Notre Dame Academy lost to Assumption, 2-1, in the title match. The Pandas face another tough opponent on Tuesday when they take on St. Ursula Academy of Cincinnati (7-2) and then Conner of Hebron (12-2) on Thursday. Playing well for ND Academy are junior outside hitter Ava Tilden, Gracie Portwood, junior outside hitter/middle hitter Ella Goetz, junior defensive specialist/Libero Julia Grace, junior defensive specialist/Libero Hannah Dannenberg, and junior setter Lauren Ott.

11. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (17-1)

Last week: 11

The Broncos last week stretched their win streak to seven with a 3-1 victory against Allen (18-10). The Broncos are led by junior outside hitter/Libero Ale Romo, junior middle hitter Sasha Purdin, sophomore middle hitter Keira Bose, senior Libero/defensive specialist Kali Vanderhoof, and senior setter Carson Eickenloff.

12. Dripping Springs

(Dripping Springs, Texas) (34-2)

Last week: 12

The Tigers have won six straight after beating Akins and New Braunfels in 3-0 sweeps. They are led by sophomore Henley Anderson, junior middle hitter Ashley Euston, Libero Ella Kuhn, and senior setter/Libero Presley Alford.

13. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (21-0)

Last week: 24

The defending Class 7A state runner-up had a big week, beating Collierville of Tennessee, and then going 6-0 to win the Tournament of Champions title in Guntersville. The Patriots, ranked No. 1 in Class 7A this season, defeated Cullman, Alexandria, Franklin (Tenn.), Collierville (Tenn.), Nolensville (Tenn.) and Enterprise for the championship.

14. Mother McAuley

(Chicago) (12-2)

Last week: 4

The defending Class 4A state champ Mighty Macs opened the week with a stunning 3-2 loss to Sacred Heart of Louisville (15-5) on Tuesday before going 4-1 in the 2023 Adidas LIVT on Friday and Saturday in Louisville. Mother McAuley beat Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, St. Joseph Academy (Cleveland, Ohio), and St. Joseph (Mo.) Christian, before falling to Assumption of Louisville, 2-1, in the semifinals. The Mighty Macs then avenged their loss to Sacred Heart with a 2-0 victory.

15. Northville

(Northville, Michigan) (8-1)

Last week: 13

The defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state runner-up has played well in the first part of the season. The Mustangs are led by junior outside hitter Molly Reck, senior middle hitter Avry Nelson, senior Libero/defensive specialist Ashlee Gnau, and junior setter Ella Craggs.

16. Pace Academy

(Atlanta) (17-2)

Last week: 14

The Knights last week swept Woodward Academy of College Park, and McIntosh of Peachtree City by 2-0 scores to stretch their win streak to five games.

17. Pope

(Marietta, Georgia) (18-2)

Last week: 6

The defending Class 6A state champ Greyhounds last week beat Blessed Trinity of Roswell, 3-1, and then were swept by Hillgrove of Powder Springs, 2-0. Hillgrove (25-2) has won eight straight.

18. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, New Jersey) (1-0)

Last week: 16

The top-ranked team in New Jersey last year opened the season last Friday with a 2-1 victory against Northern Valley-Demarest. The Blue Eagles won the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state championship in 2022.

19. St. Thomas Aquinas

(Overland Park, Kansas) (5-0)

Last week: 17

The defending Class 5A state champ Saints last week swept Lansing and traditionally tough Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.) by 3-0 scores to remain undefeated. Top players for STA are junior outside hitter Alea Goolsby, senior middle hitter Tatum Grimes, senior setter Kelsey Schenck, sophomore outside hitter Grace Martin, and junior defensive specialist/Libero Emma Nash.

20. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (6-0)

Last week: 21

The three-time defending Class 4A state champ Trojans continue to play well. Senior outside hitters Olivia Swenson and Avery Jesewitz, senior setter Stella Swenson, junior middle hitter Katie Kelzenburg, and junior outside hitter Katie Kelzenberg lead the way.

21. Punahou

(Honolulu, Hawaii) (17-1)

Last week: Unranked

The longtime Hawaiian power is off to a blistering start, including a 2-1 victory against No. 2 Mira Costa in the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii in early August. The Buff n’ Blue have won 13 straight since falling to Los Alamitos (Calif.) on Aug. 11.

22. Corona del Sol

(Tempe, Arizona) (12-1)

Last week: 23

The defending Class 6A state champ Aztecs bounced back from a 3-0 loss to O’Connor of Phoenix (13-0) by beating Desert Ridge and then winning the Tournament of Champions at Red Mountain High School.

23. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (14-3)

Last week: 19

The Lions last week defeated Hockaday from Dallas, 3-1, to snap a two-match losing streak. Last year, PCA went 40-1, winning the TAPPS Class 6A state title.

24. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (12-1)

The Patriots are on the march in Florida, having won last weekend’s Florida Gem High School Classic in Wesley Chapel. CDS went 5-0 and did not drop a set in two days. Leading the Patriots are 6-foot-1 freshman outside hitter Lydia Chinchar, senior setter Naomi Chinchar, junior Libero Mattea Casale, and 6-2 junior middle blocker/outside hitter Sarah Dibbs-frantz.

25. Saint Francis

(Mountain View, California) (4-1)

Last week: 25

The Lancers last week defeated St. Ignacius College Prep of San Francisco, 3-1. Saint Francis went 34-1 last season.

Honorable Mention

Collierville (Tenn.), Plano West (Texas), St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans, La.), Puyallup (Wash.), Marian (Mich.), St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio), Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.), St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.), Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.), Liberty High (Liberty, Mo.), Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida), Oconomowoc (Wisc.), O’Connor (Phoenix, Ariz.), Bellmont (Decatur, Ind.), Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas), Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

Dropped out: Fayetteville (Ark.), Flint Hill (Oakton, Va.).