SBLive Top 25 national high school girls volleyball rankings (10/24/2023)

No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern (Indiana) escapes Homestead in 5-set thriller to win IHSAA Regionals; unbeaten Wayzata (Minnesota) jumps two spots to No. 5

Make it back-to-back regional titles for the Hamilton Southeastern Royals (Fishers, Indiana). But this championship wasn’t easy for the No. 1-ranked volleyball team in the country.

Fresh off a Sectional championship two weeks ago, the unbeaten Royals remained on the march this postseason by winning last weekend’s regional championship at Homestead. HSE upended two Fort Wayne-area schools to advance to Class 4A North Semi-State but the Royals had to fight tooth-and-nail to get there.

After dispatching Harrison, 25-18, 25-13, 25-13, in the first match, the Royals battled past Homestead, 23-25, 25-9, 25-15, 22-25, 15-7, to win the title.

It marked the first time all season that HSE (31-0), winners of 65 consecutive matches dating to last season, was forced to five sets.

“The Homestead game was definitely stressful,” said HSE Libero Sophie Ledbetter, a Ball State commit. “I thought they played very well. I am so proud of our team.

“I thought we stayed very calm throughout the game,” Ledbetter said, “especially after losing the first set and going to our first five-set game of the year. We knew we would get tested at some point during the postseason and this proved to us that we can not only win in five sets, but also in a tough environment on our opponent’s home court.”

The Royals (31-0), who are ranked No. 1 in Indiana, advanced to play La Porte on Saturday, Oct. 28 in the Class 4A North Semi-State at Frankfort. Roncalli and Castle also will compete.

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 VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

1. Hamilton Southeastern

(Fishers, Indiana) (31-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals last week extended their sweep streak to 16 with a 2-0 win against Harrison of West Lafayette before battling past Homestead, 3-2. HSE, which has dropped only four sets all season, swept Homestead, 2-0, on Sept. 23.

Leading HSE are Lauren Harden, a Florida commit; outside hitter Lindsey Mangelson, Mississippi State; setter Ava Hunter, Loyola Chicago; middle hitter Breonna Goss, Duke; setter Macy Hinshaw, Santa Clara; and middle hitter Tiffany Snook, Memphis; and Ledbetter.

2. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (36-2)

Last week: 2

The Monarchs last week defeated Palos Verdes (Estates), 3-0, in a playoff match. The streaking Santa Ana squad has won 17 consecutive matches, and next hosts Marymount of Los Angeles (27-10) in the 2023 CIF Southern Section Girls Volleyball Championship playoffs on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Leading the way for Mater Dei are Isabel Clark, Cymarah Gordon, Layli Ostovar, Emma Kingston, Malyssa Cawa, Tessa Hurley and Julia Kakkis.

3. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (36-2)

Last week: 3

The red-hot Mustangs last week swept Los Alamitos, 3-0, in the 2023 CIF Southern Section Girls Volleyball Championship playoffs. Mira Costa has won 13 straight matches and next hosts Alemany (23-8) of Mission Hills on Oct. 24.

Leading the team are Charlie Fuerbringer, Audrey Flanagan and Bryn Shankle.

4. Grand Oaks

(Spring, Texas) (41-1)

Last week: 4

The Grizzlies last week extended their winning streak to 15 with a 3-0 sweep of Conroe. They host Cleveland (Texas) for Senior Night on Oct. 24, and visit Episcopal of Bellaire on Friday, Oct. 27.

Leading the Grizzlies are Halle Thompson, Jaela Auguste, Cali Reece, Audrey Terry, and Samara Coleman.

5. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (28-0)

Last week: 7

The three-time defending Class 4A state champ Trojans last swept Minnetonka, 3-0, to extend their winning streak to 38 matches dating to last season. They host Park Center of Brooklyn Park on Oct. 24. Leading the way are Olivia Swenson, Katie Kelzenburg, Bianca Nistor, Stella Swenson, and Avery Jesewitz.

6. Papillion-La Vista

(Papillion, Nebraska) (33-1)

Last week: 5

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans stretched their win streak to 44 matches dating to last season before falling to arch-rival Papillion-La Vista High School, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 15-10, in the Metro Conference Tournament semifinals.

Papio South played the semifinal without setter Charlee Solomon, who suffered a high ankle sprain just days before.

Ranked No. 1 in Nebraska, the Titans next prepare for the playoffs. Papio South is led by South Dakota commit/senior outside hitter Lauren Medeck, Lyric Judson, Kami Dyrstad, Morgan Bode, and Solomon.

7. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (42-1)

Last week: 6

The defending WIAA Division 1 state champ last week defeated Whitefish Bay, 3-0, in the 2023 WIAA Girls Volleyball Regional. DSHA is led by Sophia Wendlick, Maddie Brown, Olivia Durst, and Jordan Czajkowski.

8. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (29-1)

Last week: 8

The Broncos last week stretched their win streak to 19 with 3-0 victories against Little Elm and Rock Hill of Frisco. They host Braswell on Oct. 24.

Leading the Broncos are Ale Romo, Sasha Purdin, Keira Bose, Kali Vanderhoof, Carson Eickenloff, and Sara Quigley.

9. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (32-4)

Last week: 9

The Texas power has caught fire, extending its win streak to 10 last week with 3-0 sweeps of Trinity Christian (Addison) on Tuesday and Parish Episcopal (Dallas). The Lions visit Ursuline Academy (Dallas) on Oct. 24. Last year, PCA went 40-1, winning the TAPPS Class 6A state title.

10. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (29-4)

Last week: 10

The defending national champion Dons last week defeated University City (San Diego), 3-0. CCHS is led by senior middle blocker Jenna Hanes, junior Libero Maya Evens, senior opposite/outside hitter Ayva Moi, and senior setter Amanda Saeger.

11. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (49-2)

Last week: 11

The defending Class 7A state runner-up last week shut out James Clemens of Madison, 3-0. The Patriots compete in the first round of the North Regional Tournament on Oct. 26. The winner qualifies for state, and plays for seeding on Oct. 27. Leading Bob Jones High are Kennedy Vaughn, Eliza Tyrrell, Meg Jarrett, Riley Lovell, and Kalison Beigh.

Pace Academy

(Atlanta, Georgia) (34-3)

Last week: 12

The defending Class 4A state champ Knights are on the march with a 15-match win streak. Last week, they beat Seckinger (Buford) and Cedartown by 3-0 scores in the 2023 GHSA Volleyball State Championship playoffs. Pace takes on Starr’s Mill on Oct. 24.

13. Lake Travis

(Austin, Texas) 41-4

Last week: 13

The Cavaliers ran their winning streak to 17 with a 3-0 victory against Akins of Austin and a 3-1 triumph against fellow Texas power Dripping Springs. Lake Travis visits Westlake of Austin on Oct. 24.

14. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, New Jdersy) (24-1)

Last week: 14

The defending NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state champ defeated NV-Demarest and NV-Old Tappan by 2-1 scores. The Blue Eagles host Tenafly on Oct. 24. Leading the way are Maddie Sandt, Rachel Paton, Emily Sabino, Abby Romero, Kalena Stavish, and Alessandra Nazor.

15. Hudsonville

(Hudsonville, Michigan) (41-2)

Last week: 15

The Eagles stretched their winning streak to 34 matches by going 5-0 last week in Red Conference matches, sweeping Grandville, East Kentwood, Jenison, West Ottawa (Holland) and Rockford by 3-0 scores.

16. Pope

(Marietta, Georgia) (37-3)

Last week: 16

The defending Class 6A state champ Greyhounds last week swept Woodstock and Jackson County (Jefferson) in the 2023 GHSA Volleyball State Championship playoffs. They take on Marist (Atlanta) on Oct. 24.

Leading Pope are Fifi Harvey, Ellis Crawford, Dayla Ortiz, and Cooper Abney.

17. St. Francis

(Mountain View, California) (31-4)

Last week: 17

The Lancers last week defeated Valley Christian (San Jose), 3-1, and Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco), 3-0. Last season, the Lancers finished as State Open Division runner-up to Cathedral Catholic.

18. Mother McAuley

(Chicago, Illinois) (30-5)

Last week: 18

The defending Class 4A state champ Mighty Macs last week beat Lyons (LaGrange), 2-0. Leading the Macs are senior outside hitter Ellie White, a Michigan commit, Ellery Rees, Samantha Falk, Peyton Heatherly, and Olivia Urbon.

19. Flint Hill

(Oakton, Virginia) (25-3)

Last week: 19

The defending Division I Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state champ swept past King Abdullah Academy (Herndon) and Elizabeth Sutton (Bladensburg, Md.) by 3-0 scores. The Huskies host Potomac School (McLean) on Oct. 24, and visit Jackson-Reed (Washington, D.C.) on Oct. 25. Leading the way are Mickhaila Murray, Ryla Jones, Evie Huang, and Natalie Nguyen.

20. Dike-New Hartford

(Dike, Iowa) (47-0)

Last week: 20

The defending Class 2A state runner-up Wolverines swept Woodward-Granger, 3-0, to remain unbeaten. Leading D-NH are senior outside hitters Payton Petersen and Jadyn Petersen, senior middle hitter Maryn Bixby, and Addy Joslin.

21. Lake Catholic

(Mentor, Ohio) (23-0)

Last week: 21

The defending OHSAA Division III state champ last week defeated Wickliffe, 3-0, to remain undefeated. The Cougars host Memorial (Campbell) on Oct. 25. They are led by Katie Sowko, Ahnna Bergant, Julia Oster, and Hannah Pattie.

22. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (29-5)

Last week: 22

The Rockets were scheduled to play Presentation (Louisville) this week. Charlotte Moriarty, Bailey Blair, Kristen Simon, Emily Keiran, and Emilee Fuller lead Assumption.

23. Valor Christian

(Highlands, Ranch, Colorado) 18-0

Last week: 23

The defending Class 5A state champion Eagles last week swept past Dakota Ridge (Littleton) and Ralston Valley (Arvada) by 3-0 scores. They visit Chatfield (Littleton) on Oct. 24. Leading the way are Delaney Russell, Grace Langer, Bergen Waitman, Kaitlyn Lynch, and Chloe Elarton.

24. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (26-2)

Last week: 24

The Patriots last week went 3-0 to win the Class 3A, District 9 title. They defeated Santa Fe Catholic (Lakeland), Bishop McLaughlin (Spring Hill) and Tampa Prep. CDS next takes on defending Class 3A state champ Clearwater Central Catholic on Oct. 24 in the regional playoffs. Leading the Pats are 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. Notre Dame Academy

(Park Hills, Kentucky) (28-5)

Last week: 25

The Pandas last week swept Holmes (Covington), Beechwood (Fort Mitchell), and Dixie Heights (Edgewood) in playoff matches. They take on Conner (Hebron) in the regional tournament on Oct. 24. NDA is led by Ava Tilden, Audrey Dyas, Julia Grace, Ella Goetz, and Lauren Ott.

Honorable Mention

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

Puyallup (Puyallup, Washington)

St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kansas)

Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri)

Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida),

Oconomowoc (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin)

O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)

Bellmont (Decatur, Indiana)

Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)

Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kansas)

Marist (Chicago, Illinois)

Alpharetta (Alpharetta, Georgia)

Kamehameha Kapalama (Kea’au, Hawaii)

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California)

Northville (Northville, Michigan)

Dripping Springs (Dripping Springs, Texas)

Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas)