ESPN RISE FAB 50

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

Getting into the final top 10 of the ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings in girls volleyball is beginning to resemble a line looking for the hottest tables at the trendiest restaurants.

Good seats are filling up fast and there's only a handful left to be had. Unlike the powerful maitre d', don't bother slipping us a $20 to make it easier for your team to gobble up one of those positions. We can't be bought.

One week after Muncie Burris won the Class 2A state title in Indiana to secure no worse than a No. 2 position for the final rankings, three more Midwest schools completed strong seasons with state championships and in effect have also wrapped up at least no worse than a No. 8 final national ranking. 

For the second year in a row, Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) had the chance to end the season undefeated and this time the Lions capitalized as they defeated Dublin Coffman (Dublin, Ohio) in four sets for the Ohio Division I state championship. 

Jade Henderson led the Lions with 16 kills while Christina Beer added 10 kills in the 25-16, 25-19, 18-25, 25-17 victory. Dani Reinert also had 48 assists while Kori Moster led the way with 15 digs as the Lions handed the Shamrocks their only loss of the season. 

For the season, Ursuline Academy lost a total of just four sets out of 84 played and because of totals like that the team has jumped to No. 3 in this week's rankings. For losing to a team like that, Dublin Coffman only fell from No. 9 to No. 12.

In Illinois, Joliet Catholic captured its second straight Class 3A state championship in straight sets over Mater Dei of Breese. Recent ESPN RISE National Girls Athlete of the Week Annemarie Hickey had a match-best 13 kills as the Angels won the first set 25-20 and then rallied from a four-point deficit in the second set for the clinching 25-23 set victory. 

With their 41st win, the Angels set a school record for wins in a season while losing just four sets out of a total of 87 sets all season long. Like Ursuline Academy, they also have secured a top five final national ranking but we will still move Ursuline one spot higher since that team is unbeaten and Joliet Catholic is not.

The final three of these teams to cement a final top 10 national ranking is Shakopee (Minn.), which has moved up to No. 8 this week after winning its third straight Class 3A state final.

Seeing the Sabers lose even a set this year was a rare sight but it was just one hiccup against Wayzata as they won in four sets in their state final. 

Elizabeth Benusa, Mollie Geske, Claire Sames and Ashley Wittman were all named to the All-Tournament Team. In 88 total sets played this year, the Sabers never dropped more than one set to an opponent while losing a total of just four sets all season.

Next week, at least one and perhaps two more final top 10 slots will be sealed by winners of the Texas state tournament, which will be held from Thursday through Saturday at Strahan Coliseum on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos.

The California Interscholastic Federation state finals will be staged on Saturday, Dec. 5 at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center. Current FAB 50 No. 1 Archbishop Mitty hopes that the final top 10 position it secures on that night will be the best one of them all. The Monarchs will be going for their sectional title this weekend.

 (Read full post)

NEW ESPN RISE FAB 50
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS
 
Compilers: Andrew Drennen, Kirstin Olsen, Mark Tennis
Contributing: Paul Muyskens
 
With the Indiana state playoffs now in the books, the race to be the ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball FAB 50 national champion can be whittled down to just two teams.
 
Muncie Burris, as expected, wrapped up its 13th consecutive Class 2A state crown and in the process also put an exclamation point on an unblemished 40-0 record. The Owls recorded a straight set win over Southwood (Wabash, Ind.) by scores of 25-9, 25-8, 25-16 that continued their straight set dominance since they also won in straight sets in the semifinals over Brownstown Central.

University of Florida recruit Taylor Unroe and teammate Chelsea Toth each led the team with 10 kills while four different players recorded double digit dig totals.

The situation at the top of the FAB 50 is simple. If current No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) completes an unbeaten season next month and wins a divisional title at the California Interscholastic Federation state finals, then it would be No. 1 in the nation for the second straight season. If the Monarchs get upset, however, then it would go to Muncie Burris.

Other teams from around the country needed for Muncie Burris to somehow get knocked off in its state playoffs to have a shot at the final No. 1 ranking. That didn't come close to happening.

In the two other largest-class state finals held last weekend in Indiana, Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis) knocked off top seed Yorktown in Class 3A while Muncie Central topped Elkhart Memorial (Elkhart) to win the Class 4A banner.

After losing in the semifinals the past two seasons, Brebeuf Jesuit not only made it to the finals but avenged its only loss of the season with a 25-21, 14-25, 25-15, 25-21 win over Yorktown. Sloan White led the Braves with 16 kills while Lauren Rafdal and Jeme Obeime each had 12 kills and Jadyn Yarling stared defensively with 19 digs. The result gave Brebeuf Jesuit a jump from No. 45 to No. 19 in this week's FAB 50 and dropped Yorktown from No. 10 down to No. 30.

Muncie Central captured the fifth state championship in school history by defeating Elkhart Memorial in straight sets. Jamie Drummer had 14 kills and Alyssa Sorrell had 10 kills to lead the way offensively after starter Marquita Marshall had to leave the title game early due to injury. The Bearcats moved up to No. 17 in this week's FAB 50 with the Chargers dropping just a few spots from No. 23 down to No. 34.
 
This week's major state finals also will be in the Midwest.
 
On Saturday at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, it could be a matchup of unbeatens in the Ohio Division I championship between FAB 50 No. 6 Ursuline Academy and FAB 50 No. 9 Dublin Coffman. Both of those teams need to win in semifinal matches on Thursday, however, to set up their showdown.
 
The Illinois state finals also are on Saturday at Redbird Arena in Normal. In Class 3A, FAB 50 No. 5 Joliet Catholic is favored and is going for its second straight state title. In Class 4A, FAB 50 No. 25 Lyons is the favorite but has not won a state crown since 1989.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The Week 3 girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking is here, previous rank in parenthesis. Click the FAB 50 link for more information.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 3 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 28.

Rank School City, State Record  
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif. 16-0
2 (2) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill. 13-0
3 (3) Reagan San Antonio, Texas 34-1
4 (5) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind. 26-0
5 (NR) Newport Harbor Newport Beach, Calif 11-4
6 (6) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 33-3
7 (8) St. Francis Wheaton 17-0
8 (7) Assumption Louisville, Ky. 21-3
9 (20) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 6-4
10 (12) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas 25-4
11 (14) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio 13-0
12 (NR) Yorktown Yorktown, Ind. 23-0
13 (18) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif. 10-3
14 (13) Wilson Long Beach, Calif. 7-2
15 (22) Benet Lisle, Ill. 15-2
16 (21) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla. 13-2
17 (33) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas 27-3
18 (19) St. Ursula Academy Toledo, Ohio 12-1
19 (10) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif. 15-4
20 (9) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky. 13-6
21 (28) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif. 7-4
22 (25) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C. 13-1
23 (15) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif. 8-1
24 (24) Canyon Randall Amarillo, Texas 26-1
25 (36) Hinsdale Central Hinsdale, Ill. 15-2
26 (23) St. James  Lenexa, Kan. 15-1
27 (35) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn. 17-0
28 (NR) Redlands East Valley  Redlands, Calif. 7-2
29 (29) Plant  Tampa, Fla. 11-0
30 (30) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans. 14-3
31 (31) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio 14-0
32 (NR) El Dorado  Placentia, Calif. 9-6
33 (32) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind. 14-1
34 (26) Evenston Evanston, Ill.  15-2
35 (16) The Woodlands Woodlands, Texas 29-5
36 (37) Rose Greenville, N.C. 13-0
37 (17) Santa Barbara  Santa Barbara, Calif. 7-2
38 (27) Chaska Minn. 12-1
39 (NR) Lyons (LaGrange, Ill.) LaGrange, Ill.  19-1
40 (NR) Redondo Union Redondo Beach, Calif. 11-3
41 (39) Sandburg Orland Park, Ill. 16-2
42 (NR) St. Thomas Aquinas  Overland Park, Kans. 19-3
43 (40) Allen Allen, Texas 27-3
44 (11) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.  19-2
45 (43) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i  13-0
46 (4) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif. 8-2
47 (41) Marist Chicago, Ill. 13-3
48 (NR) Washburn Rural  Topeka, Kan. 15-2
49 (45) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio 11-0
50 (47) Westlake Austin, Texas
 

By Christine Jinbo

This week, Los Alamitos (Calif.) made a climb in the ranking with back to back tournament titles at the Gahr Invitational (Cerritos, Calif.) and the Dave Mohs Memorial (Huntington Beach, Calif.).

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Halli Amaro celebrates with Los Alamitos at the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament.

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) hosted 16 teams with six ranked in the FAB 50.

The Dave Mohs Memorial hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School accepted 64 teams split into two divisions into its tournament.

Check out the week 2 girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking for 2009 below, previous rank in parenthesis.  Click the link for more.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 2 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 20.

Rank School, City, State, Record
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif. 9-0
2 (2) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill. 12-0
3 (3) Reagan San Antonio, Texas 31-1
4 (4) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif. 2-0
5 (5) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind. 20-0
6 (6) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 31-3
7 (9) Assumption Louisville, Ky. 15-2
8 (12) St. Francis Wheaton, Ill. 15-0
9 (7) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky. 11-3
10 (18) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif. 11-0
11 (10) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.  17-1
12 (8 ) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas 23-4
13 (11) Wilson Long Beach, Calif. 1-0
14 (14) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio 10-0
15 (20) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif. 6-1
16 (NR) The Woodlands Woodlands, Texas 27-4
17 (39) Santa Barbara  Santa Barbara, Calif. 6-1
18 (13) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif. 4-2
19 (33) St. Ursula Academy Toledo, Ohio 9-1
20 (15) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 1-1
21 (21) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla. 7-2
22 (NR) Benet Lisle, Ill. 14-1
23 (26) St. James  Lenexa, Kan. 6-0
24 (30) Canyon Randall Amarillo, Texas 24-1
25 (23) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C. 7-1
26 (NR) Evenston Evanston, Ill.  13-2
27 (28) Chaska Chaska, Minn. 7-0
28 (22) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif. 4-2
29 (29) Plant  Tampa, Fla. 10-0
30 (47) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans. 11-2
31 (19) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio 8-0
32 (32) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind. 10-0
33 (16) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas 25-3
34 (17) Marian  Omaha, Neb. 15-1
35 (35) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn. 10-0
36 (46) Hinsdale Central Hinsdale, Ill. 14-2
37 (37) Rose Greenville, N.C. 7-0
38 (31) St. Joseph's Academy  St. Louis, Mo.  12-3
39 (24) Sandburg Orland Park, Ill. 10-1)
40 (34 Allen Allen, Texas 23-3
41 (36) Marist Chicago, Ill. 7-2
42 (41) Lee's Summit West  Lee's Summit, Mo. 11-0
43 (42) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i  9-0
44 (43) Blue Springs  Blue Springs, Mo. 11-2
45 (45) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio 10-0
46 (49) Kamehameha Honolulu, Hawai'i  9-1
47 (38) Westlake Austin, Texas 22-6
48 (48) Mount Notre Dame Academy Cincinnati, Ohio 8-1
49 (50) Corona del Mar Newport Beach, Calif 6-2
50 (40) Harvard Westlake North Hollywood, Calif. 1-3
 

By Christine Jinbo

This week, ESPN RISE FAB 50 top ten teams, previoiusly ranked No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and No. 2 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) sustained upset losses.  The Mustangs fell to previously ranked No. 40 Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.) High School on their own turf.  The Sailors traveled to Mustang territory and toppled the giants, 25-21, 25-27, 19-25, 25-23 15-11.  USC commit, Sam Hirschman had a team high 20 kills, 15 digs and four blocks. 

Assumption traveled to the Burris Invitational (Muncie, Ind.) and took a beating from tournament host, No. 18 Burris in the finals.  Florida commit Taylor Unroe led the team and propelled the Owls into the top ten with their straight set win over Assumption.  The Rockets redeemed themselves in straight sets over rival No. 7 Mercy (Louisville, Ky.) (25-14, 25-18, 25-16), which knocked the Jags out of the top ten.  The Rockets went into the Louisville Invitational Tournament with one loss and emerged with one more to Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) in a best of three match (25-21, 23-25, 25-18).

The season is heating up with early tournaments set for the coming weeks.  Competitive tournaments take place in Northern and Southern California.  No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) hosts its Invitational with 16 teams on four courts.  No. 21 Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and No. 23 Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) will travel to the event, which includes top California talent.  Besides host Mitty, No. 13 Marymount, No. 20 Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) and No. 39 Santa Barbara will be in attendance.  In Southern California, the 32nd annual Dave Mohs, hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School will feature top Southern California teams. The tournament field has 64 teams competing in two divisions with Orange County well represented. Championship matches are on Sept. 21.

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 31 St. Joseph (St. Louis, Mo.) will host its Invitational also this weekend.  Louisville  schools, No. 25 Mercy and No. 7 Sacred Heart will travel to St. Louis for the event.  The much anticipated Durango Classic is set for Sept. 25-26 and will feature, five ESPN RISE top ten teams and 12 ESPN RISE ranked teams.   The tournament represents eight states and has expanded its field to 48 teams this year.  This is one nobody wants to miss.

Check out the pre-season girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking for 2009 below, previous rank in parenthesis.  Click the link for more.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 1 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 13.

Rank  School, City, ST, Rec.   
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 6-0
2 (5) Joliet Catholic (Chicago, Ill.) 8-0
3 (8) Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) 29-1
4 (9) La Costa Canyon  (Carlsbad, Calif.) 1-0
5 (18) Muncie Burris  (Muncie, Ind.) 15-0
6 (4) Amarillo (Amarillo, Texas) 28-3
7 (12) Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Ky.) 7-2
8 (6) J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) 21-4
9 (2) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) 12-2
10 (22) Floyd Central  (Floyds Knobs, Ind.  11-0
11 (11) Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) 0-0
12 (20) St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.) 8-0
13 (40) Marymount  (Los Angeles, Calif.) 1-0
14 (14) Ursuline Academy  (Cincinnati, Ohio) 6-0
15 (3) Mira Costa  (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) 0-1
16 (23) O'Connor  (Helotes, Texas)  23-3
17 (16) Marian  (Omaha, Neb.) 9-0
18 (15) Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.) 4-0
19 (19) Dublin Coffman (Dublin, Ohio) 4-0
20 (21) Dos Pueblos  (Goleta, Calif.) 2-0
21 (25) Berkley Prep  (Tampa, Fla.) 5-0
22 (17) Lakewood  (Lakewood, Calif.) 3-0
23 (37) Cardinal Gibbons  (Raleigh, N.C.) 4-0
24 (NR) Sandburg (Orland Park, Ill.) 5-0
25 (7) Mercy  (Louisville, Kent.) 10-2
26 (32) St. James  (Lenexa, Kan.) 3-0
27 (24) Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.) 3-0
28 (28) Chaska (Chaska, Minn.) 3-0
29 (35) Plant  (Tampa, Fla.) 8-0
30 (NR) Canyon Randall (Amarillo, Texas) 21-1
31 (34) St. Joseph's Academy  (St. Louis, Mo.)  8-1
32 (38) Elkhart Memorial  (Elkhart, Ind.) 8-0
33 (NR) St. Ursula Academy (Toledo, Ohio) 6-0
34 (NR) Allen (Allen, Texas) 22-3
35 (39) Shakopee  (Shakopee, Minn.) 8-0
36 (NR) Marist (Chicago, Ill.) 3-0
37 (44) Rose (Greenville, N.C.) 6-0
38 (13) Westlake (Austin, Texas) 19-5
39 (NR) Santa Barbara  (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 2-0
40 (42) Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) 0-1
41 (NR) Lee's Summit West  (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 9-0
42 (43) Punahou (Honolulu, Hawai'i) 7-0
43 (49) Blue Springs  (Blue Springs, Mo.) 8-2
44 (26) Center Grove  (Greenwood, Ind.) 9-1
45 (33) Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) 6-0
46 (NR) Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.) 6-0
47 (45) Bishop Miege  (Shawnee Mission, Kans.) 7-1
48 (48) Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati, Ohio) 6-1
49 (50) Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawai'i) 6-1
50 (46) Santa Margarita  (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) 0-1

Alabama High School Athletic Association
Sinclair Wins No. 1,000, Joins Elite Group

Montgomery Academy (Montgomery, Ala.) Head Coach Julie Sinclair joined an elite group of high school coaches Tuesday, when the Eagles downed Marbury and Prattville in high school volleyball action.
 
The victory over Prattville gave Sinclair win No. 1,000 and made her the fourth volleyball coach in Alabama history to reach the milestone. Retired Hazel Green coach Glenda Wright (1,303-505) leads the state list followed by retired McGill-Toolen coach Becky Dickinson (1,273-130) and current Oak Mountain coach Tammy Richardson (1,196-450). Sinclair is 1,000-336 in 31 seasons at the school.
 
Bayside Academy's Ann Schilling and Muscle Shoals' Brenda Mayes each has more than 900 wins.

By Christine Jinbo

The Louisville Invitational, hosted by Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) High School boasts eleven of

	Tony Martin
	Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) cheered when they won the NIKE Classic in Chicago last season.

the top 25 currently ranked high school volleyball teams in Kentucky. 

Four schools ranked in the ESPN RISE FAB 50, will compete in the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament (LIVT) including: No. 2 Assumption, No. 7 Mercy, No. 13 Sacred Heart and No. 29 Notre Dame.
 
The tournament will take place at Assumption High School and the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center, with the championship match set for 4:30p.m. on Saturday. 

Five out-of-state teams will contend for the title at the in the LIVT field including : St.Joseph (St.Louis, Mo. ) Notre Dame (Toledo, Ohio), Bishop Fenwick (Franklin, Ohio), St.Ursula (Cincinnatti, Ohio), and Pelham (Pelham, Ala.).

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE FAB 50
2009 First Girls' Volleyball Ranking -
Records and previous ranking from final 2008 FAB 50 Rankings

Last year, ESPN RISE crowned, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) High School the ESPN RISE National Champion.  The Monarchs picked up where they left off, atop the rankings as the pre-season No. 1, with nine seniors and six of seven starters who returned from the 2008 squad.  Head Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar prepares his veteran squad to achieve national excellence again this year.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Bret Almazan-Cezar coached Archbishop Mitty to a CIF State Div. II Championship.

Last year, Almazan-Cezar told ESPN RISE Volleyball, "This team really enjoys hanging out with each other."  To promote team unity this year, the team hiked 14 miles and camped in the Big Basin (Redwoods State Park, Calif.).

The Monarchs will host their own national tournament with Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) traveling from out of state to test the competition.

Check out the pre-season girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings for 2009 below or click the link for more.

ESPN RISE Volleyball FAB 50
Pre-season Rankings

Rank School, City, ST 2008 Record
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif.  42-1
2 (22) Assumption Louisville, Ky.  30-7
3 (18) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 28-6
4 (4) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 48-3
5 (17) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill.  39-3
6 (NR) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas  36-6
7 (3) Mercy  Louisville, Kent.  40-1
8 (23) Reagan San Antonio, Texas  45-3
9 (2) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif.  37-1
10 (6) St. Charles East  St. Charles, Ill. 39-4
11 (20) Wilson Long Beach, Calif.  28-4
12 (19) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky.  29-10
13 (8) Westlake Austin, Texas  40-8
14 (24) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio  28-1

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Carly Wopat along with twin sister Samantha will lead the Chargers this season.

15 (41) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif.  25-6
16 (36) Marian  Omaha, Neb.  34-8
17 (NR) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif.  19-8
18 (50) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind.  36-4
19 (NR) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio  25-2
20 (NR) St. Francis Wheaton  27-9
21 (29) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif.  28-7
22 (NR) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.   35-4
23 (32) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas  38-5
24 (13) Mother McAuley Chicago, Ill.  39-3
25 (45) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla.  28-3
26 (NR) Center Grove  Greenwood, Ind.  25-10
27 (NR) Nevada Union Grass Valley, Calif.  24-9
28 (NR) Chaska Minn.  25-5
29 (35) Notre Dame  Covington, Ky.  29-5
30 (NR) Redondo Union Redondo Beach, Calif.  13-13
31 (12) Papillion La Vista  Papillion, Neb.  41-1
32 (5) St. James  Lenexa, Kan.  45-1
33 (NR) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio  14-12
34 (NR) St. Joseph's Academy  St. Louis, Mo.   28-9
35 (27) Plant  Tampa, Fla.  28-3
36 (NR) Grandview Aurora, Colo.  27-4
37 (49) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C.  29-0
38 (38) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind.  36-2
39 (43) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn.  32-2
40 (47) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif.  25-6
41 (46) Washburn Rural  Topeka, Kan.  35-2
42 (NR) Harvard Westlake North Hollywood, Calif.  22-6
43 (NR) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i   22-4
44 (NR) Rose Greenville, N.C.  27-1
45 (NR) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans.  36-5
46 (7) Santa Margarita  Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.  29-8
47 (14) Clear Creek  Houston, Texas  44-5
48 (NR) Mount Notre Dame Academy   Cincinnati, Ohio  23-5
49 (NR) Blue Springs  Blue Springs, Mo.  33-3
50 (NR) Kamehameha Honolulu, Hawai'i  20-4
 

Teams to watch list (in alphabetical order):

Beckman, Irvine, CA
Bingham, South Jordan, UT
Brighton, Salt Lake City, UT
Buchanan, Clovis, CA
Carson City, Carson City, NV
Chugiak, Chugiak, AK
Clovis, Clovis, CA
Clovis West, Clovis, CA
Cottonwood, Salt Lake City, UT
El Dorado, Placentia, CA
Gilbert, Gilbert, AZ
Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, CA
Ponderosa, Shingle Springs, CA
Redlands East Valley, Redlands, CA
Saint Mary's, Stockton, CA
Saint Pius X, Albuquerque, NM
Torrey Pines, San Diego, CA
Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, AZ
Marist, Chicago, Ill.
Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Benet, Lisle, Ill.
Roncalli, Indianapolis, Ind.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park, Kans.
Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn.
Incarnate Word Academy, Houston, Texas
Lee's Summit West, Lee's Summit, Mo.
Mother of Mercy, Cincinnati, Ohio
Friendswood, Friendswood, Texas
Lake Highlands, Dallas, Texas
Timber Creek, Orlando, Fla.
Sandburg, Orland Park, Ill.
Glenbrook South, Glenview, Ill.
Naperville Central, Naperville, Ill.
Naperville North, Naperville, Ill.
New Castle Chrysler, New Castle, Ind.
Muncie Central, Muncie, Ind.
Cathedral, Indianapolis, Ind.
Delta, Muncie, Ind.
West Henderson, Hendersonville, N.C.
Grand Island, Grand Island, Neb.
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Orange Lutheran, Orange, Calif.
Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks
Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo.
St Michael-Albertville, Albertville, Minn.

Tips for stat takers from the NCAA.org

If you only have one person to do your team's stats, have them sit next to the person doing the opposing team's stats – frequent checks are then possible to make sure that an attack is awarded a dig, an ace is awarded a reception error, etc.  Sitting on your team bench may be more familiar, but the purpose in being there to stat the match is to do the job correctly. The box score must balance at the end of the match, and it's a lot harder to go back afterward and try to make corrections. 

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Lesli Akeo of Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawai'i) controls the ball.

Become a member of ESPN RISE Volleyball, FREE and post a comment below.

By Christine Jinbo

Meet USA Volleyball's Junior National Beach Team member Chase Ross (Carlsbad, Calif.).  Ross, along with partner Steven VanderWerp (Grand Haven, Mich.) will represent the U.S. in the 2009 SWATCH FIVB Junior World Championships on Sept. 16-20 in Blackpool, England.  Ross' sister Summer is currently representing the US in Alanya, Turkey with partner Jane Croson at the FIVB Youth World Championships.

Ross talks to ESPN RISE Volleyball about training with the Junior National Beach Team, USA Beach Coaches Anjinho Bacil and Jon Aharoni and gives some advice for younger players coming through the ranks.

By Christine Jinbo

Meet USA Volleyball's Junior National Beach Team member Kyle Stevenson (Palos Verdes, Calif.).  Stevenson, along with partner Parker Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif.) are in Alanya, Turkey representing the U.S. in the 2009 SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championships.

Stevenson talks to ESPN RISE Volleyball about training with the Junior National Beach Team, USA Beach Coaches Anjinho Bacil and Jon Aharoni and learning everyday.

By Christine Jinbo

Meet USA Volleyball's Junior National Beach Team member Parker Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif.).  Kalmbach, along with partner Kyle Stevenson (Palos Verdes, Calif.) are in Alanya, Turkey representing the U.S. in the 2009 SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championships.

Kalmbach talks to ESPN RISE Volleyball about training with the Junior National Beach Team, USA Beach Coaches Anjinho Bacil and Jon Aharoni and his excitement for the game.

By Christine Jinbo

Meet USA Volleyball's Junior Beach National Team Head Coach Eduardo "Anjinho" Bacil and assistant coach Jon Aharoni, coordinator of beach coaching and development for USA Volleyball. Learn about the Junior National Beach Program and how to improve your beach game.

The USA Volleyball beach department has announced its selections for the Under-19 (youth) and Under-21 teams that will represent the United States in international competitions this summer.

	Christine Jinbo/ESPN RISE
	Dalas Dodd swings for Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) High School.

For more, visit USA Volleyball .

By Christine Jinbo

Many volleyball athletes, both boys and girls are competing at a national tournament at this very moment.  These athletes play for many reasons, one of which is to get recruited to play in college.

UC Irvine Mens Volleyball team recently bested USC in the NCAA Div. I National Championship in Provo, Utah. UCI Asst. Coach Mark Presho spoke with ESPN RISE Volleyball about building a national championship team and the type of athletes college coaches want to recruit.  He answered many common questions athletes have about the recruiting process.

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By Christine Jinbo

Brett Anderson of the Riptides O.C. 17 Orange team spoke to ESPN RISE Volleyball after his team earned first place at the Boys Classic, hosted by Southern California Volleyball Association (SCVA).  Riptides O.C. defeated the tournament favorite, Orange Coast Volleyball Club (OCVC) 17-1 in the final. 

The junior setter looks forward to the J.O.'s hosted by USA Volleyball.  His team finished as the runner up in the Boys Invitational that hosted over 300 teams from around the nation.  This recent first place finish, he hopes, will help his team in the Junior Olympic Championship in Atlanta, Ga.

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By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 2 Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) will face off against No. 11 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the finals of the CIF Southern Section CIF Div. I finals on Saturday.  Check out the video below for highlights from its semifinal victory over No. 8 Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.).  

Junior outside hitter Steven Irvin and senior libero Peter Jasaitis talk to ESPN RISE Volleyball.

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By Christine Jinbo

The Top Ten Tips about communicating with your child's coach effectively continues with the next three "rules.
           
Observing the communication between parents and coaches helps develop a young athlete's communication, cooperation and leadership skills.  It is important to realize how closely children watch adults talk and behave toward each other and they often mimic those behaviors. Therefore, you may want to reconsider saying something to your child's coach (or about your child's coach) that you would not want your child repeating.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

Top Ten Tips
About communicating with your child's coach effectively
           
Parents often do not know the "rules" when approaching a coach to discuss their child and the team.  Rules of communication are often thrown out and emotions fuel a debate, especially when parents decide that the coach is coaching in an unsatisfactory way. You can help make the season better, as well as help your child enjoy their team experience more, by following a few simple rules:(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

This week brings the final ESPN RISE FAB 50 National Volleyball Rankings. The three part series, "Who will be No. 1? debated each team's argument for the spot atop the rankings and the title, ESPN RISE National Champion.  Many teams had exceptional seasons, and three have legitimate claims to the title: current ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), No. 2 La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) and No. 3 Mercy Academy (Louisville, Ky.).

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By Christine Jinbo

The newest installment of the ESPN RISE FAB 50 has little movement as the volleyball season winds to a close.  Final rankings wait as California finishes its state playoffs this weekend.
 
In the CIF Division II race, No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) looks primed to take the CIF Northern Region State Championship for the seventh consecutive year.  The Central Coast Section proved to be the most dominant section in the Northern Region as Mitty matches up against a Central Coast Section

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Redlands East Valley (Redlands)faces off agains Corona del Mar (Newport) again.

By Christine Jinbo

With the exception of California, the state playoff races are over. Florida and Texas came to a close and crowned their state champions this past weekend.  With these last few states playing their most meaningful games of the season, teams jostled in the rankings as upsets occured in California and Florida.
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By Christine Jinbo

Teams from California, Illinois and Texas battled in their perspective playoff races.  The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs have all gone according to seed, without major upsets in the top divisions, but not all state races were that simple.
 
In the CIF Div. II Central Coast Section, ESPN RISE ranked No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) received a bye, then defeated Presentation (San Jose), 25-14, 25-15, 25-22.  The Monarchs will face Palo Alto on Wednesday nig...

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By Christine Jinbo

California:
The race in California has just begun as many other states moved on to their winter seasons. CIF Southern Section released its brackets in ten divisions on Sunday and ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 7 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) received the top seed in Div. I-A.  No. 11 Wilson (Long Beach), No. 15 Santa Margarita, and No. 22 Los Alamitos followed behind in the No. 2, 3 and 4 spots.  The top four seeds of Div. I-A all went undefeated in their leagues with the exception of Santa Margarita, which split with No. 29 Orange Lutheran. 

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Can Falyn Fonoimoana take Costa to another CIF Title?

ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball National FAB 50

Games through November 11, 2008. Previous rank in parenthesis.

Rank      Team          Record
1    (1)    Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)    35-1
2    (2)    La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)    29-1
3    (3)    Mercy (Louisville, Kent.)    37-1
4    (4)    Reagan (San Antonio, Tex.)    43-2
5    (8)    St. James (Lenexa, Kan.)    45-1
6    (5)    Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)    38-2
7    (7)    Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)    24-4
8    (14)    Amarillo (Amarillo, Tex.)    43-4
9    (29)    St. Charles East (St. Charles. Ill.)    36-4
10   (18)    Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.)    36-2
11   (15)    Long Beach Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)    24-3
12    (9)    Joliet Catholic (Chicago, Ill.)    37-3
13    (21)    Clear Creek (Houston, Tex.)    38-4
14    (20)    Olmsted Falls (Olmsted Falls, Ohio)    29-0
15    (23)    Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)    22-7
16    (12)    Benet  (Lisle, Ill.)    39-1
17    (16)    Papillion La Vista (Papillion, Neb.)    40-1
18    (17)    Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Kent.)    29-10
19    (19)    Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.)    24-5
20    (24)    Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)    31-0
21    (10)    Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.)    37-3
22    (22)    Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.)    22-5
23    (6)     O'Connor (San Antonio, Tex.)    38-4
24    (13)    Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)    28-1
25    (25)    Lake Highlands (Dallas, Tex.)    39-3
26    (27)    Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.)    31-1
27    (42)    Thousand Oaks (Thousand Oaks)    22-3
28    (28)    Grand Island (Grand Island, Neb.)    33-1
29    (36)    Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)    27-4
30    (NR)    Westlake (Austin)    36-7
31    (31)    Notre Dame (Covington, Ky.)    29-5
32    (32)    Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)    30-7
33    (34)    Marian (Omaha, Neb.)    35-6
34    (11)    Churchill (San Antonio, Tex.)    39-5
35    (35)    Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit, Mo.)    38-1
36    (30)    Elkhart Memorial (Elkhart, Ind.)    36-2
37    (37)    Timber Creek (Orlando, Fla.)    27-2
38    (41)    Shakopee (Minn.)    32-2
39    (NR)    Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)    21-5
40    (40)    Berkley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)    25-2
41    (43)    Plant (Tampa, Fla.)    24-3
42    (26)    Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.)    33-6
43    (NR)    Torrey Pines (Torrey Pines, Calif.)    18-8
44    (38)    Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.)    39-4
45    (45)    West Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.)    26-0
46    (46)    Eastview (Apple Valley, Minn.)    28-5
47    (47)    Delta (Muncie, Ind.)    33-6
48    (48)    Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.)    29-1
49    (33)    Mount Notre Dame Academy  (Cincinnati, Ohio)    23-5
50    (50)    Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.)    36-4
 

By Christine Jinbo

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) rose to the No. 1 spot in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 National Rankings this week, as La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) suffered a late season loss to previously ranked No. 42 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in the finals of the Redondo Power Classic. The newly crowned No. 1 ascended to the top spot on their own accord, with their win loss record, with the help of a common opponent and the perfection ending loss by the Mavericks at the Redondo Tournament. 

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Joan Calpiaro sets the table for Mitty's stong attack.

ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball National FAB 50

Games through the week of November 1, 2008. Previous rank in parenthesis.

Rank       Team    Record
1    (2)    Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)    33-1
2    (1)    La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)    27-1
3    (3)    Mercy (Louisville, Kent.)    37-1
4    (4)    Reagan (San Antonio, Tex.)    41-2
5    (5)    Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)    34-2
6    (6)    O'Connor (San Antonio, Tex.)    36-3
7    (7)    Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)    23-4
8    (9)    St. James (Lenexa, Kan.)    45-1
9    (8)    Joliet Catholic (Chicago, Ill.)    34-3
10    (10)    Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.)    36-2
11    (11)    Churchill (San Antonio, Tex.)    37-5
12    (12)    Benet  (Lisle, Ill.)    36-1
13    (13)    Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)    27-0
14    (14)    Amarillo (Amarillo, Tex.)    41-3
15    (18)    Long Beach Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)    23-3
16    (17)    Papillion La Vista (Papillion, Neb.)    37-1
17    (15)    Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Kent.)    29-10
18    (16)    Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.)     34-2
19    (19)    Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.)    22-5
20    (20)    Olmsted Falls (Olmsted Falls, Ohio)    27-0
21    (21)    Clear Creek (Houston, Tex.)    36-4
22    (22)    Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.)    19-5
23    (42)    Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)    20-7
24    (23)    Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)    26-0
25    (38)    Lake Highlands (Dallas, Tex.)    36-3
26    (28)    Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.)    32-5
27    (26)    Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.)    29-1
28    (31)    Grand Island (Grand Island, Neb.)    29-1
29    (36)    St. Charles East (St. Charles. Ill.)    33-4
30    (43)    Elkhart Memorial (Elkhart, Ind.)    36-1
31    (27)    Notre Dame (Covington, Ky.)    29-5
32    (29)    Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)    30-7
33    (37)    Mount Notre Dame Academy  (Cincinnati, Ohio)    23-4
34    (33)    Marian (Omaha, Neb.)    31-6
35    (35)    Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit, Mo.)    34-1
36    (44)    Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)    26-4
37    (32)    Timber Creek (Orlando, Fla.)    27-2
38    (NR)    Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.)    39-4
39    (30)    Avon (Avon, Ind.)    36-2
40    (34)    Berkley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)    24-2
41    (41)    Shakopee (Minn.)    28-2
42    (NR)    Thousand Oaks (Thousand Oaks)    19-3
43    (40)    Plant (Tampa, Fla.)    24-3
44    (46)    St Michael-Albertville (Albertville, Minn.)      28-2
45    (NR)    West Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.)    26-0
46    (NR)    Eastview (Apple Valley, Minn.)    26-4
47    (39)    Delta (Muncie, Ind.)    31-6
48    (24)    Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.)    29-1
49    (49)    Blue Springs (Blue Springs, Mo.)    33-3
50    (50)    Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.)    34-4

 

By Christine Jinbo

In the Illinois post season, it will be a Normal battle... that is, a Normal Super-Sectional battle.   No. 12 Benet Academy (Lisle), No. 28 Naperville Central and No. 47 Naperville North all line up in the top half of the same bracket.  No. 5 Mother McAuley (Chicago) sits alone in the Palos Heights Super-Sectional and No. 36 St. Charles East (St. Charles) will contend with Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton) at the Elgin Super-Sectional.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The ESPN RISE FAB 50 teams from Illinois shook up the rankings this week as the top four teams squared off at the Autumnfest held at Glenbard East High School (Lombard). Previously ranked No. 4 Benet (Lisle) fell to No. 20 Joliet Catholic (Joliet), which has hit its stride this season. No. 12 Mother McAuley (Chicago) defeated No. 7 Naperville Central, 25-12, 25-22 in the semifinals and went on to win the event over Joliet Catholic, 27-25, 17-25, 29-27.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

Teams across the nation raced into the next phases of their seasons and many remained unbeaten.  La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) 15-0, Benet (Lisle, Ill.) 26-0, Papillion La Vista (Papillion, Neb.) 26-0, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) 23-0, Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.) 23-0, Ursuline (Cincinnati, Ohio) 22-0, Olmsted Falls (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) 22-0, and Cherry Creek (Cherry Creek, Colo.) 18-0 make up the exclusive list.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo and Kirstin Olsen

The ESPN RISE FAB 50 teams jostled in the rankings with the conclusion of the Nike Challenge in Chicago, Ill.  This national tournament exposed teams' weaknesses and revealed other teams' resolve.  Plant (Tampa, Fla.) fell far in the rankings as they sustained losses to Sacred Heart (Louisville, Kent.) and Downers Grove South (Ill.) after last week's losses to Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and Mercy (Louisville, Kent.). The Panthers placed fifth at the Nike Challenge as they missed the dominant play of the partially healthy outside hitter Maddie Martin (Penn State), who played sparingly (and not full speed) with an injured ankle.(Read full post)

 By Christine Jinbo and Kirstin Olsen

ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball National FAB 50 for games through the week of September 29, 2008.  Previous rank in parenthesis.

If it could happen to USC football, it could happen to any team.  Upsets happened around the nation and No. 2 Plant (Tampa, Fla.) fell victim along with No. 6 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), No. 12 Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.).   Plant (Tampa, Fla.) fell to No. 45 Berkley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) at the Berkeley Premier Invitational  (Tampa, Fla.), 25-23, 16-25, 25-18, 21-25, 10-15.  After the grueling five game loss, the squad met up with No. 8 Mercy (Louisville, Kent.) in the quarterfinals of the tournament and lost, 25-19, 25-20, 25-12. Coach Leanna Taylor's squad played without standout Penn State commit Maddie Martin and hope to have her back in time to redeem themselves at the NIKE Challenge this weekend in Chicago, Ill.
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