The goal is lofty for the California team that heads the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school volleyball rankings.
With all but two players
back from a 41-4 season, Sierra Canyon has its sites set on a second state championship after winning the Division II
title in 2017. Leading the way for the Trailblazers are a quintet of
All-Americans led by middle Kendall Omoruyi (committed to Nebraska), setter Lucky Fasavalu (Missouri) and outside hitters Eva Jeffries (Tennessee), Hanna McGinest (Texas Tech) and McKenna McIntosh (USC).
back from a 41-4 season, Sierra Canyon has its sites set on a second state championship after winning the Division II
title in 2017. Leading the way for the Trailblazers are a quintet of
All-Americans led by middle Kendall Omoruyi (committed to Nebraska), setter Lucky Fasavalu (Missouri) and outside hitters Eva Jeffries (Tennessee), Hanna McGinest (Texas Tech) and McKenna McIntosh (USC).
1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
2025 record: 41-4, Southern California Open Division regional finalist
Key losses: Kalyani Olive, Ziggy Rex
Key returners: Lucky Fasavalu, Eva Jeffries, Hanna McGinest, McKenna McIntosh, Kendall Omoruyi, Olive Shum
Outlook: The
Trailblazers return a host of hitters, a MaxPreps All-American setter
and have a chip on their shoulder after coming up short in the quest for a state title last season.
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2025 record: 35-5, Open Division state champion
Key losses: Layli Ostovar, Lizzy Robinson, Sam Capinpin, Addison Coady
Key returners: Westley Matavao, Emma Kingston, Shewa Adefemiwa, Jael Smith, Kalea Lee, Savanah Capinpin
Outlook: With
two Open Division state titles in the past three years and three since
2018, coach Dan O’Dell has built a juggernaut that will continue to
roll on behind UCLA commit Matavao at the pin.
2025 record: 35-5, Open Division state champion
Key losses: Layli Ostovar, Lizzy Robinson, Sam Capinpin, Addison Coady
Key returners: Westley Matavao, Emma Kingston, Shewa Adefemiwa, Jael Smith, Kalea Lee, Savanah Capinpin
Outlook: With
two Open Division state titles in the past three years and three since
2018, coach Dan O’Dell has built a juggernaut that will continue to
roll on behind UCLA commit Matavao at the pin.
7. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)
2025 record: 35-2, Class 6A state champion
Key losses: Vivian Hickman, Mattea Saunders, Selah O’Connor, Allison Dunnion
Key returners: Tessa Larkin, Amari Frazier, Sahmone Wadsworth, Annabelle Ross
Outlook: Stanford
commit Larkin is one of the best hitters in the game and returns for a
senior season looking for the state title three-peat. Xavier College Prep will prepare for the state tournament with appearances at Durango and Nike TOC.
2025 record: 35-2, Class 6A state champion
Key losses: Vivian Hickman, Mattea Saunders, Selah O’Connor, Allison Dunnion
Key returners: Tessa Larkin, Amari Frazier, Sahmone Wadsworth, Annabelle Ross
Outlook: Stanford
commit Larkin is one of the best hitters in the game and returns for a
senior season looking for the state title three-peat. Xavier College Prep will prepare for the state tournament with appearances at Durango and Nike TOC.
9. Highland Park (Dallas, Texas)
2025 record: 43-8, Conference 5A Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Gigi Whann, Lydia Fisher, Brooklyn Bailey
Key returners: Sarah Floyd, Taylor Toomay, Allie Hudgins, Anna Lee, Marlee Roehm
Outlook: The Scots should be among the tallest and most offensively-minded teams in the nation. Floyd is coming off a 380-kill sophomore year. The addition of 6-foot-2 freshman Annabelle Strohben adds even more height to the reigning state champion.
2025 record: 43-8, Conference 5A Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Gigi Whann, Lydia Fisher, Brooklyn Bailey
Key returners: Sarah Floyd, Taylor Toomay, Allie Hudgins, Anna Lee, Marlee Roehm
Outlook: The Scots should be among the tallest and most offensively-minded teams in the nation. Floyd is coming off a 380-kill sophomore year. The addition of 6-foot-2 freshman Annabelle Strohben adds even more height to the reigning state champion.
10. Harrisburg (S.D.)
2025 record: 35-2, Class AA state champion
Key losses: Gabi Zachariasen, Kya Keegan, Emma Masselink, Lindsay Langner
Key returners: Josalyn Samuels, Bergen Stiff, Julia Masselink, Kennedy Kokenge, Francesca Barnett
Outlook: Nebraska commit Samuels will set the table for hitters Stiff and Masselink Harrisburg’s bid for a fifth
straight title. Class of 2030 outside Brynlee Zachariasen looks to keep the family tradition alive for the Tigers.
Key losses: Gabi Zachariasen, Kya Keegan, Emma Masselink, Lindsay Langner
Key returners: Josalyn Samuels, Bergen Stiff, Julia Masselink, Kennedy Kokenge, Francesca Barnett
Outlook: Nebraska commit Samuels will set the table for hitters Stiff and Masselink Harrisburg’s bid for a fifth
straight title. Class of 2030 outside Brynlee Zachariasen looks to keep the family tradition alive for the Tigers.
11. Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.)
2025 record: 38-5
Key losses: Finley Krystkowiak, Sam Krystkowiak
Key returners: Jaycee Mack, Emery Gonzalez, Parker Herrin, Lila Green, Kenna Wilkinson, Stella Delgadillo, Dylan Kupiec
Outlook: After
ending Cathedral Catholic’s reign in the San Diego Section, the Falcons are again deep and looking to go deep in the postseason behind Hawaii-bound hitter Mack, Santa Clara pledge Gonzalez
at setter and Kansas commit Green at libero. Longtime coach Brennan Dean announced Monday that he was stepping away and handing the reins to Noly Mon.
2025 record: 38-5
Key losses: Finley Krystkowiak, Sam Krystkowiak
Key returners: Jaycee Mack, Emery Gonzalez, Parker Herrin, Lila Green, Kenna Wilkinson, Stella Delgadillo, Dylan Kupiec
Outlook: After
ending Cathedral Catholic’s reign in the San Diego Section, the Falcons are again deep and looking to go deep in the postseason behind Hawaii-bound hitter Mack, Santa Clara pledge Gonzalez
at setter and Kansas commit Green at libero. Longtime coach Brennan Dean announced Monday that he was stepping away and handing the reins to Noly Mon.
13. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
2025 record: 28-9
Key losses: Sophia Johnson, Lauren Hanson, Kensley Hennessy, Madyson McCarthy
Key returners: Jojo Wilson, Baylee Wilson, Olivia Greenwood, Samantha Saba, Ava Laverty, Sierra Aswad, Zoe Merz, Emilie LaSala
Outlook: The Wilson sisters give the Dons a 1-2 hitting punch while Boston College commit Saba is a steadying force at libero along with Utah pledge Laverty in the back row. LaSala and Merz complement the hitting of the Jojo and Baylee Wilson.
2025 record: 28-9
Key losses: Sophia Johnson, Lauren Hanson, Kensley Hennessy, Madyson McCarthy
Key returners: Jojo Wilson, Baylee Wilson, Olivia Greenwood, Samantha Saba, Ava Laverty, Sierra Aswad, Zoe Merz, Emilie LaSala
Outlook: The Wilson sisters give the Dons a 1-2 hitting punch while Boston College commit Saba is a steadying force at libero along with Utah pledge Laverty in the back row. LaSala and Merz complement the hitting of the Jojo and Baylee Wilson.
14. Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.)
2025 record: 31-9, Class A state champion
Key losses: Kami Dyrstad, Maddie Larsen, Dani Vallinch, Ella Eymann
Key returners: Lyric Judson, Makenna Sanders, Finley Moone, Kambria Balls, Maddox Graves, Tess Solomon
Outlook: The
Titans return a plethora of hitters led by Florida Gulf Coast commit
Judson as she, Sanders, Moone, Balls and Graves combined for more than
1,200 kills.
2025 record: 31-9, Class A state champion
Key losses: Kami Dyrstad, Maddie Larsen, Dani Vallinch, Ella Eymann
Key returners: Lyric Judson, Makenna Sanders, Finley Moone, Kambria Balls, Maddox Graves, Tess Solomon
Outlook: The
Titans return a plethora of hitters led by Florida Gulf Coast commit
Judson as she, Sanders, Moone, Balls and Graves combined for more than
1,200 kills.
16. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
2025 record: 36-5, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Elayna Davidson, Elise Bocanegra, Cassidy Cage, Mollie Berry
Key returners: Maggie Kurpeikis, Haven Enselman, Ari Janowiak, Taylor Berg, Kelly Ryan
Outlook: The
quest for a three-peat begins with Michigan commit Kurpeikis
and sophomore setter Enselman, who earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America
honors last season.
2025 record: 36-5, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Elayna Davidson, Elise Bocanegra, Cassidy Cage, Mollie Berry
Key returners: Maggie Kurpeikis, Haven Enselman, Ari Janowiak, Taylor Berg, Kelly Ryan
Outlook: The
quest for a three-peat begins with Michigan commit Kurpeikis
and sophomore setter Enselman, who earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America
honors last season.
2025 record: 39-7
Key losses: Ryea Jackson
Outlook: The Pantherettes have hitting to battle with anyone led by Class of 2029 stud Smith, who dropped 721 kills last season. Polley and Hodge augment the hitting while Pinter and Carpenter set up the offense.
19. Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)
2025 record: 38-7
Key losses: Sam Destler, Elle Vandeweghe, Declan Eastman, Olivia Penske, Frankie Jones
Key returners: Makenna Barnes, Katelyn Oerlemans, Leighton Devereux
Outlook: Head coach Kari Klein’s program has produced player after player over the past decade. Northwestern-bound Barnes brings the heat and has the most lethal serve in the high school game.
2025 record: 38-7
Key losses: Sam Destler, Elle Vandeweghe, Declan Eastman, Olivia Penske, Frankie Jones
Key returners: Makenna Barnes, Katelyn Oerlemans, Leighton Devereux
Outlook: Head coach Kari Klein’s program has produced player after player over the past decade. Northwestern-bound Barnes brings the heat and has the most lethal serve in the high school game.
20. Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
2025 record: 43-5-2, Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Cree Hollier, Ella Andrews
Outlook: The Marlins look to run it back for a fourth title for coach Loretta Vogel behind Penn State commit Kalczynski, who dropped 529 kills in 2025. Sophomore Easton guides an offense with plenty of firepower after dishing up 1,123 assists last season.
21. Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
2025 record: 37-0, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Bailey Sinish, Addi Shipley, Lola Sasse, Lauren Peters
Key returners: Elli Oskey, Sarah Stegall, Cala Haffner, Katelyn Peters, Paityn Lauck
Outlook: Coach
Pandy Sinish said the graduation losses are opportunities for the
remaining core to step into bigger roles. Haffner at libero will be a
defensive anchor that will take some of the growing pains and pressure
off the offense.
2025 record: 37-0, Class 4A state champion
Key losses: Bailey Sinish, Addi Shipley, Lola Sasse, Lauren Peters
Key returners: Elli Oskey, Sarah Stegall, Cala Haffner, Katelyn Peters, Paityn Lauck
Outlook: Coach
Pandy Sinish said the graduation losses are opportunities for the
remaining core to step into bigger roles. Haffner at libero will be a
defensive anchor that will take some of the growing pains and pressure
off the offense.
22. ‘Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii)
2025 record: 25-7, Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Bailey Nakanelua, Maddix Taniguchi
Key returners: Taimane Ainu’u, Poema Kalama-Kingma, Georgie Lee, Annaura Reid-Gillet
Outlook: USA Volleyball veteran Ainu’u is one of the best players in the Class of 2028 and returns along with beach volleyball commits Lee (USC) and Kalama-Kingma (Oregon). A big test will be the Ann Kang Invitational, which brings in three other ranked teams including No. 1 Sierra Canyon, No. 4 Cornerstone Christian and No. 9 Highland Park.
2025 record: 25-7, Division 1 state champion
Key losses: Bailey Nakanelua, Maddix Taniguchi
Key returners: Taimane Ainu’u, Poema Kalama-Kingma, Georgie Lee, Annaura Reid-Gillet
Outlook: USA Volleyball veteran Ainu’u is one of the best players in the Class of 2028 and returns along with beach volleyball commits Lee (USC) and Kalama-Kingma (Oregon). A big test will be the Ann Kang Invitational, which brings in three other ranked teams including No. 1 Sierra Canyon, No. 4 Cornerstone Christian and No. 9 Highland Park.
24. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
2025 record: 31-1, Class 3A state champion
Key losses: Sam Karjala, Peyton Slone, Lilianna Finocchi
Key returners: Sophia Puleo, Noelle Sarigumba, Maya Talley, Olivia Badyna
Outlook: The Warriors look for their next ring and third since 2021 behind Baylor pledge Puleo after 385 kills in 2025. Wofford pledge Badyna holds down the defense at libero, Sarigumba runs the offense at setter and Talley looks to build on 135 kills as a freshman.
2025 record: 31-1, Class 3A state champion
Key losses: Sam Karjala, Peyton Slone, Lilianna Finocchi
Key returners: Sophia Puleo, Noelle Sarigumba, Maya Talley, Olivia Badyna
Outlook: The Warriors look for their next ring and third since 2021 behind Baylor pledge Puleo after 385 kills in 2025. Wofford pledge Badyna holds down the defense at libero, Sarigumba runs the offense at setter and Talley looks to build on 135 kills as a freshman.
25. Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.)
2025 record: 42-3, Private School state champion
Key losses: Sloan Balsley, Katy Scott, Carson Pressley
Key returners: Kari Knotts, Margaux Godfrey, Caroline Quackenbush, Kate Kennedy
Outlook: Knotts, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, is one of the most electric players in the country. She powered 631 kills as Lovett won the state title in a five-set battle. Senior libero Godfrey is headed to Harvard and anchors a defense that lets Knotts cook.
2025 record: 42-3, Private School state champion
Key losses: Sloan Balsley, Katy Scott, Carson Pressley
Key returners: Kari Knotts, Margaux Godfrey, Caroline Quackenbush, Kate Kennedy
Outlook: Knotts, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, is one of the most electric players in the country. She powered 631 kills as Lovett won the state title in a five-set battle. Senior libero Godfrey is headed to Harvard and anchors a defense that lets Knotts cook.
