The first month of the high school season is behind us. With the calendar turning to September we are in full swing with major states like Florida, Kansas and Arizona getting their schedules underway. We recently released our updated Top 50 National HS Rankings. Below, we check in on a handful of teams from the Top 50 who have impressed so far.
GRAND OAKS TX – The Houston-area school has started the season 30-1, with its lone loss to Prestonwood Christian TX in the semifinals of the Volleypalooza tournament last month. The roster is loaded with future Division 1 talent, including a trio of 5-star recruits in senior middle Jaela Auguste (Florida), junior outside Samara Coleman (Pitt) and sophomore outside Halle Thompson. The lineup also features Caelyn Emmerling, a senior 3-star Texas State commit. Grand Oaks lost in the Area playoffs to Bridgeland TX a season ago, but is among the 6A favorites this fall. Grand Oaks is currently ranked No. 11.
BELLMONT IN – The Braves have been an early-season surprise, posting a 14-1 mark as of this writing. The only setback came to Hamilton Southeastern IN, which remains undefeated. It has Bellmont currently sitting at No. 19 in our latest national rankings. Helping leading the way so far is sophomore outside MaryKate Scheumann and senior outside Delaney Lawson, a 3-star Utah State commit. The pair has combined for over 300 kills to date. Senior Jackie Sutter and sophomore middle Alyssa Gumbel have also made key contributions on offense. Senior setter Hailey Cole and senior libero Sami Christen have also played vital roles in the team’s success so far. The highest class in Indiana is 4A, but Bellmont plays in 3A, making the Braves a true state contender.
O’CONNOR AZ – O’Connor shot up to No. 20 in our latest Top 50 rankings based on its 11-0 start. The Eagles improved to 12-0 with a key victory Tuesday evening over previously unbeaten Corona del Sol, winning in straight sets. Junior outside Devyn Wiest – a 4-star Utah commit – currently leads the team in kills. The team has plenty of options behind her. Senior Katie Lambeth, senior Iana Loera, freshman Kristen Sheehy, sophomore Leylah Duran, junior Addison France and senior Piper Rama have all made contributions to the attack. France also sets, along with senior Shannon Sheehy while senior Kinsley Singleton leads the team in digs. O’Connor plays in Arizona’s highest division — 6A.
LAKE CATHOLIC OH – The Cougars have impressed so far, starting the year 7-0 and landing at No. 35 in our latest Top 50 rankings. The squad is especially strong at the setting position with senior Hannah Pattie — a 3-star Campbell commit — and libero with junior Julia Oster — a 3-star Colgate commit. Offensively, it’s been senior outside Katie Sowko, junior Natalya Bergant and junior middle Ava Budrys Rini powering the attack. Among the team’s best victories to date have been ones over St. Joseph Academy, Gilmour Academy and St. Ursula Academy.
LONE PEAK UT – The Knights are a team to watch out for and have shown as much by starting the season 5-0. They cracked the Top 50 and are currently No. 36. Among the team’s standouts is 5-star Kansas commit Zoey Burgess. Backing her is 6-3 senior pin hitter Cami Christiansen, 3-star junior outside Mckynzee Beddes and 4-star freshman pin hitter Ava Burgess. Junior Sam Pope and sophomore Nevaeh Tien have directed the attack while senior Trinidy Tien has taken care of the libero duties. Lone Peak is attending the Durango Fall Classic later this month in Las Vegas.
VALOR CHRISTIAN CO – The defending 5A champions went undefeated last season and have started where they left off. The Eagles have opened the year 9-0, led by junior setter and 3-star Georgia commit Chloe Elarton. She has a strong quartet of hitters to power the attack in senior outside Delaney Russell (Montana), 6-2 senior Grace Langer, 6-2 junior pin hitter Kenzey McGatlin (LSU beach) and 6-0 senior pin Farrah Eike (Navy). Bergen Waitman, a 5-10 sophomore, has been holding it down defensively at libero.
SKYRIDGE UT – The Falcons cracked the Top 50, coming in at No. 49 with their 13-0 start. One reason for the hot start is 6-1 sophomore Kylie Buttars. She leads the team to date in kills. Also helping offensively has been 6-1 senior middle Cala Cooper and senior outside Neriah Perez. Directing the attack is 6-0 senior setter Myka Christensen while junior Mary Nahinu is suiting up at libero. Skyridge and Lone Peak are set to play twice during the regular season.
