If there is one absolute about the Preseason National Rankings it is that the Top 50 is going to change significantly by the time the final rankings are released in November. One important component to compiling the initial Top 50 of the season is making sure whichever team is anointed the top spot is going to play a schedule worthy of a national champion should that program run the table and go undefeated.
We saw that two seasons ago when Cathedral Catholic CA started at No. 1 and wound up going undefeated. Along the way Cathedral Catholic captured both the Durango Fall Classic title and the CA Open Division state championship. Last season’s national champion Mater Dei CA didn’t start at No. 1 and didn’t finish undefeated. However, Mater Dei did capture two major tournament titles in Volleypalooza and Durango, as well as the CA Open division state crown, making Mater Dei worthy of finishing at No. 1.
That brings us to this year and the team beginning at No. 1 in Grand Oaks TX, which captured last year’s 6A state title. Though Grand Oaks isn’t scheduled to play outside the state of Texas, the Grizzlies are set to face a challenging slate. Given the depth and strength of schools in Texas, should Grand Oaks be able to navigate its tournament schedule — which includes Volleypalooza — and then repeat as 6A state champs, there’s little doubt that is a national championship campaign.
Of course, Grand Oaks faces longs odds and it’s more likely than not that we’ll see another team finish the year at No. 1. There are plenty of potential candidates, including familiar ones like Mater Dei, Mira Costa CA and Prestonwood Christian TX. Others to keep close watch on are Notre Dame Academy KY and Dripping Springs TX.
The season officially gets started this week with tournaments throughout Texas, as well as the Ann Kang Invitational hosted by ‘Iolani taking place in Honolulu. We’ll wait a few weeks before updating our rankings, with the next set released in early September. From there, we’ll have weekly releases for the rest of the season. You can view the full Preseason Rankings below.
VBALLRECRUITER HIGH SCHOOL TOP 50 NATIONAL RANKINGS
1. Grand Oaks TX
2. Mater Dei CA
3. Prestonwood Christian TX
4. Mira Costa CA
5. Notre Dame Academy KY
6. Benet Academy IL
7. Sierra Canyon CA
8. Dripping Springs TX
9. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI
10. Blue Valley North KS
***
11. Carrollwood Day FL
12. Hamilton Southeastern IN
13. Cathedral Catholic CA
14. Byron Nelson TX
15. Assumption KY
16. Cornerstone Christian TX
17. Mill Valley KS
18. Marist IL
19. Archbishop Mitty CA
20. O’Connor AZ
***
21. Mount Notre Dame OH
22. Lovejoy TX
23. St. James Academy KS
24. Lafayette MO
25. Mercy MI
26. Plant FL
27. Southlake Carroll TX
28. Papillion-La Vista South NE
29. St. Thomas Aquinas KS
30. Casteel AZ
***
31. Harlan TX
32. Winter Park FL
33. Roncalli IN
34. Lone Peak UT
35. Cinco Ranch TX
36. Xavier Prep AZ
37. Skutt Catholic NE
38. St. Ursula Academy OH
39. Mother McAuley IL
40. ‘Iolani HI
***
41. Ankeny Centennial IA
42. Reagan NC
43. Wayzata MN
44. Oconomowoc WI
45. Bishop Gorman NV
46. Marymount CA
47. St. Pius X MO
48. Pace Academy GA
49. Kamehameha HI
50. Cleveland TN
***
ON THE CUSP
Alpharetta GA
Ankeny IA
Berkeley Prep FL
Branson CA
Center Grove IN
Dike-New Hartford IA
Doral Academy FL
Dowling Catholic IA
Flint Hill VA
Green Hope NC
Keller TX
Lake Highland Prep FL
Marian MI
McKinney Boyd TX
Millennium AZ
Norris NE
Northville MI
Oaks Christian CA
Omaha Westside NE
Pope GA
Prosper TX
Reagan TX
Redondo Union CA
Seaman KS
Seton OH
Skyridge UT
Skyview ID
St. Thomas Aquinas FL
Torrey Pines CA
Valor Christian CO
Yorktown IN
