We released our updated Top 50 HS National Rankings this week. We’ll continue doing so until the end of the state playoffs next month, when we award a national champion. For now, we check in and spotlight 15 teams from the Top 50 to see how their seasons are coming along.
McCutcheon IN (3 – national ranking) – The Mavericks have ascended the rankings riding a 24-1 mark entering the week. Yorktown is the only team to notch a win over McCutcheon this season, with it coming in tournament play in late August. McCutcheon opened the season with a victory over Hamilton Southeastern. The duo of Purdue commits in senior outside Chloe Chicoine and junior setter Allie Shondell have been instrumental. Also contributing have been junior outside Isabella Humphrey and sophomore middle Reanna Lee, who leads the team in blocks.
Marian MI (5) – The Mustangs have dropped just four sets as they began the week 27-0. Senior setter and Kentucky commit Ava Sarafa has directed a potent attack. It features sophomore outside Isabelle Busignani as the kill leader. Also involved in the offense consistently is senior pin hitters Ella Schomer and Molly Banta, as well as senior middle Reagan Sass.
St. James Academy KS (8) – The Thunder came into the week sporting a 21-1 record. The only setback occurred against Aquinas, with a rematch looming Oct. 6. Sophomore setter Reese Messer has done well running a balanced attack. Juniors Julia Headley, Ava Spachek and Ella Goodwin, as well as senior Kate McKnight, are all threats. Junior Mya Bolton has been a defensive spark at libero.
Hamilton Southeastern (12) – The Royals are another school putting together a terrific season. They started the week 25-1 with the only loss coming to McCutcheon. The trio of senior Avery Hobson, junior Lauren Harden and sophomore Lindsey Mangelson have been lethal on the pins and frequent targets of junior setter Macy Hinshaw and sophomore setter Ava Hunter.
Highland Park TX (11) – The Scots entered the week riding an 11-match winning streak to stretch their record to 32-2. Both losses came to Prestonwood Christian TX during tournament play. Highland Park has established itself as the 6A favorite for the state playoffs and have been propelled by UCLA commit and senior outside Sydney Breon and senior libero and Georgia Tech commit Zoe Winford. Senior middle and Michigan commit Ceci Gooch has also played a key role, as has sophomore right side Alex Richter and sophomore outside Isabella Ocampo.
Washburn Rural KS (14) – The Blues are powering along, posting a 19-1 mark at the week’s start. The team started the year with a big victory over Aquinas then suffered its only loss to date in the second outing going down to St. James Academy. Kentucky commit and senior outside Brooklyn DeLeye is the featured attacker.
Cypress Ranch TX (15) – The Mustangs have played like 6A contenders, running their mark to 34-2 entering this week which includes an 18-match winning streak. Cypress Ranch suffered an upset loss to Tompkins and another one to Cornerstone Christian at Volleypalooza. Senior outside and Texas AM commit Bianna Muoneke has been supercharging the attack, Sophomore outside Taylor Porter has turned in a solid season, as has senior middle Janyah Henderson.
Aquinas KS (17) – The Saints have done well with a challenging schedule. They came into the week 24-3. Victories have come against St. James Academy, Liberty MO, Skutt Catholic NE and St. Teresa’s Academy MO, as well as splitting a pair of matches with Liberty North MO. The Saints have also lost a pair of contests to Washburn Rural. Yale commit and senior pin hitter Betsy Goodenow is leading the charge, along with sophomore outside Alea Goolsby and senior libero Reagan Anderson.
Lincoln Southwest NE (18) – The Silver Hawks started the week sitting at 17-2. The two defeats have come against Marian and Omaha Westside. The Silver Hawks also own a victory over both schools, as well as Papillion-LaVista South. Senior outside Alexa Gobel leads the team in kills. Junior setter Malayah Long and junior libero Teagan Little have also turned in solid seasons.
Liberty MO (20) – The Blue Jays started the week 25-1, with the lone loss to Aquinas. Key wins have come against Olathe Northwest KS, St. Teresa’s and Liberty North. Sophomore outside Abigail Mullen is leading the team in kills, while sister and senior setter Ashley Mullen – a UCLA commit – is directing the attack. Junior Macy Bartlett is the libero and leading the way in digs.
St. Francis/Mountain View CA (27) – The Lancers – 18-0 at week’s beginning – have proven themselves as the best team in Nor Cal and a state title contender. Junior outside Taylor Williams and junior outside Erin Curtis have been key components in the attack and frequent targets of senior setter Havannah Hoeft. Defensively, it’s been junior Whitney Wallace holding down the back court at libero.
Liberty North MO (29) – The Eagles are having a fantastic season, entering this week with a 20-3 record. Blue Valley West KS was able to upset Liberty North a few weeks ago, with the other two losses coming against higher-ranked schools in Aquinas KS and Liberty. The Eagles were able to avenge the loss to Aquinas this past weekend, also picking up a strong victory over Fayetteville AR. Junior outside and Arizona commit Carlie Cisneros is having a big season and leading the Eagles in kills. Senior Abby Christian has turned in a strong performance at libero.
Plano West TX (34) – The Wolves, who started the week at 23-2, suffered two losses in mid-August and none since. They came to Lovejoy and Reedy. The Wolves have since defeated Lovejoy to avenge one of the setbacks. Pitt commit and senior outside Blaire Bayless is having a monster year as she has twice as many kills as the next closest player.
Ursuline Academy OH (35) – The Lions are in the thick of the Division 1 race as they sit at 15-3 overall. It’s been a somewhat streaky season, as the Lions lost consecutive matches to Assumption KY and Mercy McAuley in early September before running off seven straight victories over St. Ursula Academy (twice), Seton, Mount Notre Dame, Mercy KY, Sacred Heart KY and Mercy McAuley. The streak ended with a loss to Mount Notre Dame but the Lions bounced back and downed ranked Magnificat in the next outing. Senior and Kentucky commit Brooke Bultema has led the way offensively, followed by junior right side Katie Gielas. The team has also received strong play at libero from senior Sydney Breissinger.
Reagan NC (46) – The Raiders began the week 27-0, having dropped just one set. Junior setter Jordan Smart has directed an attack featuring senior outside Caiden Largent, senior middle Riley Tucker and junior outside Haley Carson.
