National high school girls volleyball rankings (9/19/2023)

Hamilton Southeastern (Indiana) still holds the top spot in SBLive's Power 25 as its wins streak stretches to 51 matches

Make it 51 and counting for the ultra-talented Hamilton Southeastern Royals.

Indiana’s undisputed No. 1 volleyball team, Hamilton Southeastern (17-0), continued its stellar season with two more sweeps last week. The defending Class 4A state champs have won a remarkable 51 consecutive matches dating to the second game of the 2022 season. The Royals are doing it all with one of the most talented rosters in the nation (seven Division I commits).

“I feel the team is doing great,” said HSE 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter Lauren Harden, a University of Florida commit. “Again, though, we’re always looking to get better every day, which has been a big goal for us in practice and games, and to definitely enjoy our time together this season as this is a very special team.”

New to the poll are No. 14 Flint Hill (Oakton, Virgina) and No. 16 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California).

The SBLive Power 25 national high school 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.

SBLIVE POWER 25 NATIONAL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

1. Hamilton Southeastern

(Fishers, Indiana) (17-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals remained unbeaten after defeating Pendleton Heights and Westfield by 3-0 scores. They face a stiff challenge, however, on Tuesday when they host Roncalli (17-2) before ending the week playing Zionsville and Hammond Bishop Noll.

2. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (15-1)

Last week: 2

The Mustangs stretched their win streak to 13 by beating Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates, 3-0, and Palos Verdes (Estates), 3-1. They take on Santa Monica on Tuesday, and Culver City on Wednesday.

3. Cornerstone Christian

(San Antonio, Texas) (22-1)

Last week: 3

The Warriors, who play an independent schedule, ran their win streak to 13 with three more 3-0 sweeps against Eagle Pass, La Vernia, and Westlake of Austin. 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) (34-1)

Last week: 4

The Grizzlies extended their win streak to seven with two more victories last week, sweeping New Carney and Conroe. They play Cleveland (Texas) on Friday.

5. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (20-0)

Last week: 5

The Holy Angels had their best week, yet, going 7-0 to win the 32-team Charger Challenge in Milwaukee. They defeated Oconomowoc, 2-1, for the championship. 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. Papillion La Vista South

(Papillion, Nebraska) (18-0)

Last week: 6

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans made their biggest statement, yet, by going 6-0 to win the Lincoln Public Schools Invitational. The Titans defeated Lincoln Southwest 2-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-22) in a battle of the only unbeaten Class A teams. South Dakota commit Lauren Medeck, a senior outside hitter, recorded eight of her team-high 11 kills in the final set.

Junior setter/right-side hitter Charlee Solomon had nine kills, and freshman middle hitter Lyric Judson and freshman outside hitter Kam Bails combined for 13 kills for the Titans.

7. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (14-2)

Last week: 7

Having won the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament at Edison High on Sept. 9, the Dons resume play on Wednesday when they visit Academy of Our Lady of Peace (San Diego) on Wednesday. Last year, the Dons won the California State Open Division title and finished unbeaten (42-0) on the way to being named national champions.

8. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (22-2)

Last week: 8

The Monarchs last week defeated Rosary Academy of Fullerton, 3-0, and JSerra Catholic of San Juan Capistrano, 3-0. They visit Orange Lutheran on Thursday.

9. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (17-1)

Last week: 9

The Rockets last week stretched their win streak to 12 matches by battling past rival Sacred Heart of Louisville, 3-2. The Rockets next travel to Las Vegas for the Durango Fall Classic on Friday and Saturday.

10. Notre Dame Academy

(Park Hills, Kentucky) (15-1)

Last week: 10

The Pandas last week went 2-0, including a nail-biting 3-2 win against Cincinnati power St. Ursula Academy. They play Holy Cross of Covington, Dixie Heights of Edgewood, and St. Henry of Erlanger this week.

11. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (19-1)

Last week: 11

The Broncos last week stretched their win streak to nine with 3-0 sweeps of McKinney and Guyer of Denton. They play Prosper and Little Elm this week. 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) (36-2)

Last week: 12

The Tigers have won eight straight after battling past Westlake of Austin, 3-2, and Austin, 3-0. The Tigers face a tough test on Tuesday when they visit Lake Travis (33-4) and then Friday play Bowie of Austin.

13. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (24-0)

Last week: 13

The defending Class 7A state runner-up last week kept right on rolling, blasting past Florence, Arab, and Austin of Decatur in 3-0 sweeps. The Patriots are ranked No. 1 in Class 7A.

14. Flint Hill

(Oakton, Virginia) (11-2)

Last week: Unranked

The Huskies raced back into the Top 25 after going 5-0 to win the Endless Summer High School Volleyball Tournament in Virginia Beach. The Huskies, who last season won the Division I Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state title and the Independent Schools League AA championship, beat Hidden Valley (Roanoke), 25-22, 25-17, to win the Gold bracket championship of the Varsity Champions division. Middle blocker Ryla Jones, a 6-foot-4 Pitt commit, turned in a stellar performance for Flint Hill, which has won 10 straight.

15. Mother McAuley

(Chicago) (14-2)

Last week: 14

The defending Class 4A state champ Mighty Macs got back on track last week by beating St. Laurence and Downers Grove North in 2-0 sweeps. They take on Saint Ignatius College Prep and Marist (14-1) – a pair of Chicago schools – this week.

16. Archbishop Mitty

(San Jose, California) (13-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Monarchs are serving notice they are for real this season, having already defeated California power Saint Francis (Mountain View), 3-1, on Aug. 29. The Monarchs finished 30-9 last season.

17. Northville

(Northville, Michigan) (19-1)

Last week: 15

The defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state runner-up has won 19 straight since falling to Hudsonville, 2-1, in the season opener. They face a tough task on Tuesday when they visit Brighton (22-2).

18. Pope

(Marietta, Georgia) (25-2)

Last week: 17

The defending Class 6A state champ Greyhounds had their best week, yet, by going 7-0, including a 5-0 record and championship in Saturday’s Rally High Tournament in Emerson. They recorded 2-0 sweeps of Denmark of Alpharetta, Houston County of Warner Robins, Brookwood of Snellville, Hillgrove of Powder Springs, and Brookwood again.

19. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, New Jersey) (5-0)

Last week: 18

The top-ranked team in New Jersey last year blew past Hackensack, Academy of the Holy Angels (Demarest), Ridgewood, and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in 2-0 sweeps last week to remain unbeaten. The Blue Eagles, who won the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state championship in 2022, play four matches this week.

20. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (11-0)

Last week: 20

The three-time defending Class 4A state champ Trojans went 5-0 to win the Marshall Southwest Minnesota Challenge, and then defeated Hopkins of Minnetonka and Edina in 3-0 sweeps and Buffalo (Minn.), 3-1. 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. St. Thomas Aquinas

(Overland Park, Kansas) (9-1)

Last week: 19

The defending Class 5A state champ Saints last week fell to Olathe North, 2-0, in a shocker. 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.

22. Punahou

(Honolulu, Hawaii) (19-1)

Last week: 21

The longtime Hawaiian power has won 15 straight since falling to Los Alamitos (Calif.) on Aug. 11. The Buff n’ Blue defeated ‘Iolani of Honolulu, 3-1, and University Laboratory School of Honolulu, 3-0, last week.

23. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (16-3)

Last week: 23

The Lions last week defeated Bishop Lynch of Dallas, 3-1, and Nolan Catholic of Fort Worth, 3-0. Last year, PCA went 40-1, winning the TAPPS Class 6A state title.

24. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (14-1)

Last week: 24

The Patriots last week pushed their win streak to eight with 3-1 victories against 16-time state champ Berkeley Prep of Tampa, and Trinity Catholic of Ocala. Leading CDS 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) (8-1)

Last week: 25

The Lancers last week won three matches, defeating Valley Christian of San Jose and Sacred Heart Prep of Atheron in 3-0 sweeps, and Branson of Ross, 3-1. Saint Francis went 34-1 last season.

Honorable Mention

Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio)

Dike-New Hartford (Iowa)

Plano West (Texas)

St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans, Louisana)

Puyallup (Washington)

Marian (Michigan)

St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kansas)

Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri)

Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida)

Oconomowoc (Wisconsin)

O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)

Bellmont (Decatur, Indiana)

Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California)

Venice (Florida)

Dropped out: Pace Academy (Atlanta), Corona del Sol (Tempe, Arizona)