ESPN RISE FAB 50

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

Much of the scrambling for final spots in this year's ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball FAB 50 national rankings is just about done, except for one rather important state.

With the Texas and Florida state playoffs concluding last week and with favored teams like Amarillo and Tampa Plant impressing in state finals, most of the drama about the FAB 50 is beginning to focus in on No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

The Monarchs faced a Palo Alto (Calif.) team in the CIF Central Coast Section Division II championship last Saturday that was red-hot with a 33-match win streak and has visions of pulling off an upset.

Head coach Dave Winn told Palo Alto Online: "They make those Disney movies for a reason. The underdog does win once in a while.”

Despite Winn's optimism, Mitty was on its game from the start. The Monarchs won the match and were only challenged in the third game. Mitty's 25-14, 25-12, 25-23 win earned the program its seventh straight CCS title and a top-seed in the CIF Northern California regional playoffs. Leaders in the match included Kristina Graven with 16 kills, Rachel Williams with 11 kills and Joan Caloiro with 24 assists.

Mitty's final match of the season is expected to be the CIF Division II state championship, which will be played on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center.

If Mitty were to suffer an upset, No. 2 Muncie Burris  (Muncie, Ind.) or No. 3 Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) would seem to have the strongest resumes for a move up to the top. Both of those teams have finished their seasons.

Amarillo also has seemingly cemented its position with at least a No. 4 final FAB 50 rankings. The Lady Sandies didn't have it easy against Westlake (Austin, Texas), but they captured their fourth straight UIL Class 5A state championship in a five set thriller. 

Senior libero Eden Williams was named tournament MVP after registering a match-high 25 digs. Micah Nolan led the victors with 17 kills while Danielle Barker set everyone up with 32 assists. The final three sets couldn't have ended any closer as the scores for the five sets were 19-25, 25-20, 28-26, 23-25, and 16-14. A fifth straight title next year might be a big task as Amarillo loses 11 seniors but head coach Jan Barker, who has led the school to eight state titles, sure knows how to win them.

Tampa Plant, meanwhile, will go down as the No. 1 team in Florida and will be no lower than No. 6 in the final FAB 50. The Panthers won their fourth straight state championship, and their first in Class 6A, as they defeated the three-time defending Class 6A champion Winter Park, in four sets. 

With their fourth straight title, Plant also has now won nine state championships in school history with seven of those nine coming this decade. Penn State commit Maddie Martin led the way with 22 kills while Alex Johnson also had a big game with 20 kills. Libero Ali McCurdy had a team-best 23 digs in her final high school game before heading to Duke and Becca Howard had 48 assists.

This week's biggest mover in the FAB 50 is Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.). The Sailors jumped from No. 22 to No. 11 after winning the CIF Southern Section Division IAA championship. Other teams winning CIFSS titles were Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) in Division IA, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.) in Div. 2AA and Elsinore (Wildomar, Calif.) in Div. 2A.(Read full post)

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)

Compilers: Andrew Drennen, Kirstin Olsen, Mark Tennis
Contributing: Paul Muyskens
 
As the top-ranked Archbishop Mitty Monarchs of San Jose (Calif.) were winning their third major invitational of the season, state playoffs were concluding elsewhere around the nation and there were some major developments involving ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball FAB 50-nationally ranked teams.
 
* In Kentucky, Mercy (Louisville, Ky.) was the surprise winner and moved up to No. 17 in this week's rankings. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), which has been as high as No. 4 in the FAB 50, did not make the finals and had to drop from No. 20 to No. 36 in this week's rankings.
 
Despite losing seven seniors from last year's team, the Jaguars (32-6) won a come from behind title match over Sacred Heart (Louisville) to capture their sixth state championship, but this time in back-to-back fashion. The win also marked the second straight year the two teams met in the finals in a battle of brothers as coach Todd Garvey picked up his second championship win over brother Eric Garvey, who coaches at Sacred Heart. Libero Caitlin Welch recorded 15 digs in the championship match for Mercy and was named tournament MVP. Amanda Crask added 28 assists and Madison Welsh had 12 kills.
 
* In Hawaii, season-long leader Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) couldn't get it done in its state final as the Buffanblu dropped a five-set match to Kamehameha. That result lifted the winners from unranked up to No. 46 in this week's FAB 50. Punahou had to fall in right behind.
 
Kamehameha captured the Division I state championship for the fifth straight year. The Warriors twice lost to the Buffanblu during the regular season but they made sure they won when it mattered the most as they rallied from a 2-1 set deficit and also trailed in the fourth set by a 14-8 score before rallying. Sophomore setter Kelci Renshaw recorded 52 assists while Chelsey Keoho led the defense with 38 digs. Taylor Akana was named the tournament's most outstanding player after recording 19 kills and 21 digs in the season finale.
 
* In Kansas, St. James (Lenexa) hoisted the Class 4A state title trophy and likely wrapped up no worse than a top 30 final ranking for the season. In the Class 5A final, previous No. 43 St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park) fell to No. 44 Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission). This caused St. Thomas Aquinas to drop out of this week's rankings with Bishop Miege going up to No. 41.
 
The Stags continue to show their dominance in Kansas as they won their second straight state final. Facing their rivals in the finals for the second year in a row, Bishop Miege also was looking to avenge an October loss to the Saints and wasted no time in winning the first set 25-11 before a back and forth second set. St. James also repeated in winning its Class 4A state title. After losing the first game, coach Nancy Dorsey's squad won twice to pull past Hayden of Topeka.
 
This week's most significant state finals will take place in Indiana. Muncie Burris, which is on a current 87-match winning streak, is heavily favored to win the Class 2A crown since the Owls won't have to play any of the other FAB 50-ranked teams from the state. All of those other teams are in different divisions.
 
Once Muncie Burris is done and likely will be done with a perfect record, the waiting game will begin. Obviously, with its strength of schedule, Archbishop Mitty will finish No. 1 in the nation if it wins in the CIF state championships. But if the Monarchs slip up, Muncie Burris appears to be the next strongest choice.
 
We would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to the girls and coaches at Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.). The Bruins had to play at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions last weekend in Santa Barbara one night after a classmate, track and field athlete Melody Ross, was killed in a drive-by shooting just outside the Wilson football stadium following a football game between the Bruins and Long Beach Poly.(Read full post)

UPDATED ESPN RISE FAB 50 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

Compilers: Andrew Drennen, Kirstin Olsen, Mark Tennis

Other than previous No. 7 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) suffering a second loss of the season to city rival Sacred Heart, there was little movement in this week's ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball FAB 50 national rankings.

That could change next week as arguably the biggest tournament in California outside of the CIF state playoffs is going to take place in scenic Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions will include three of the top six teams in the FAB 50, including No. 1 and unbeaten Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

The Monarchs could meet local favorite and No. 6-ranked Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) in that event, but also in the field is No. 5 Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.) plus No. 25 La Costa Canyon, (Carlsbad, Calif.), No. 26 Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) and No. 33 Santa Barbara (Calif.).

If Mitty were to lose, standing poised and ready to move up is Muncie Burris. The Owls are just four wins away from winning their 13^th straight Class 2A state title. The state finals in Indiana will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Muncie Burris would not meet any of the other Indiana teams in this week's FAB 50 in those playoffs as they are in other divisions.  No. 11 Yorktown is favored in Class 3A while it likely will boil down to No. 21 Muncie Central vs. No. 24 Elkhart Memorial for the Class 4A crown.

(After results of Saturday, Oct. 24; Previous ranking in parentheses)(Read full post)

By Kirstin Olsen, ESPNRISE.com Volleyball

Tonight two undefeated teams ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 2 Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.) 32-0 and No. 10 Yorktown (Ind.) 30-0 will meet for the first time this season. 
 
The Division 2A Owls will be without star setter Taylor Unroe, due to her severe ankle sprain a week ago against New Castle. She will be limited again to back row play only. The Owls are also recovering from an emotional win against Division 4A rival Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.) 25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-13 on Monday in front of a sellout crowd.
 
Muncie Burris Head Coach Steve Shondell is hoping other girls can step up tonight like they did on Monday against Central.
 
"We know the Yorktown team very well, so we will be prepared to defend their offense. The fact they are undefeated and nationally ranked will make sure our team is focused and ready to play tonight,” remarked Shondell. "If we win the match, it will be a major step towards winning the national championship.”
 
"Our game plan is to make sure their outstanding setter does not take over the match like she has in many big matches this season. She dumps the second ball more than any setter in the state and scores a ton of points catching your defense asleep. We must stay awake the entire match,” Shondell added.
 
The Division 3A Tigers are ready to rock with a healthy lineup after a fresh win over Greenfield Central (Greenfield, Ind.) this week and two tournament championship wins under their belt, the Muncie Central Invite and the Delaware County Tournament.
 
Yorktown Head Coach Stephanie Bloom feels her team is prepared and plans to focus on this match like any other match with ball control, defense and staying aggressive.
 
"This is a great opportunity for us to be in a pressure match before the [state] tournament, and regardless of the outcome, I know that it will benefit us,” coach Bloom commented.
 
"This win would be extremely exciting for our program, but it doesn't change any of the goals we set for ourselves before our season began. Regardless of the outcome, we're still looking towards and getting ready for the tournament.”
 
Yorktown's game plan is to be aggressive and take Muncie Burris out of their game.
 
"They're known for being an excellent ball control team and we're hoping to shake that up some,” Bloom said. "Also, our plan is to play really aggressive and play every possession with poise.  Defense and heart is what can really take you over the edge in big matches such as this one.”
 
The game tonight will be held at Yorktown at 6 pm EST and is sure to be a sell out crowd to see these two powerhouses square off.

By Kirstin Olsen, ESPNRISE.com Volleyball

The 5-foot-4 junior libero from ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 8 Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) has been digging up balls all season to help her team protect their untarnished 20-0 record. This season, she has 364 digs to her credit and hopes to lead her team to a state championship, which the Lions have not won since 2002.

	courtesy of John Moster
	Kori Moster of Ursuline Academy

Compilers: Andrew Drennen, Kirstin Olsen, Mark Tennis
 
Defending Kentucky state champion Mercy of Louisville showed last week that it plans on continuing to hold its title without giving it up easily by beating city rival Assumption.
 
Even though Assumption was No. 4 in last week's ESPN RISE FAB 50 and was holding Senior Night, Mercy spoiled the proceedings by winning a tight match in five games. The Jaguars won the first game, 25-22, then lost the next two (15-25, 18-25) but roared back to take the match with wins of 25-20 and 15-7 in the next two games.
 
Following that victory, Mercy continued to surge with a triumph over nationally-ranked Sacred Heart Academy of Louisville and then topped perennial power Mt. Notre Dame (Cincinnati, Ohio).
 
All those wins propelled head coach Todd Garvey's team from unranked up to No. 32 in this week's FAB 50. The only other new teams in this week's rankings are Martin County of Stuart, Fla., and Westwood of Round Rock, Texas.
 
According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Mercy's win over Assumption was paced by senior Caitlin Welch with 29 digs. Leading the way in kills were Jewell Dobson, Ally Wilbourn and Thea Mattingly. All three of those players ended with nine kills each.
 
Assumption, which defeated Mercy earlier this season, still has an overall resume of success this season that keeps the team in the top 10 of this week's rankings.

(Read full post)

NEW ESPN RISE FAB 50
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

By ESPN RISE Volleyball Staff

Previous No. 2 Joliet Catholic fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after falling in the title match of the Asics tournament to Assumption of Louisville. The championship lasted three games with the final game going 26-24 after numerous ties.
 
Since Assumption has a head-to-head loss to Muncie Burris, it was therefore easy to move up the unbeaten Owls into the No. 2 slot in this week's FAB 50 behind season-long leader Archbishop Mitty from Northern California.
 
Among the teams making major moves upward this week are Dos Pueblos of Goleta, Calif., and Plant of Tampa, Fla.
 
Dos Pueblos has lost only to Archbishop Mitty and last week captured a critical Channel League victory over nationally-ranked Santa Barbara. The Chargers also own a head-to-head triumph over nationally-ranked Florida powerhouse Berkley Prep.
&nb...

(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

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.

By Christine Jinbo

 ESPN RISE Volleyball FAB 50

FAB 50 Week 11 Rankings reflect games played through May 25.

Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) remained at the top of ESPN RISE FAB 50 National Boys Volleyball Ranking. With its state tournament concluded, Hawaii awaits challengers from other state competitions in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

The Show Me State recently concluded its state finale, and DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis) erased all doubts when it topped St. Louis University (St. Louis) High School and Francis Howell Central (St. Charles) en route to the crown.  Revenge was sweet for DeSmet, as it avenged its early season losses to both schools.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

Videos, pictures and conversation, can be found on the ESPNRISEVolleyball group page.  Join the group and join the conversation.

Follow the links below to navigate to the group site:

1) Register here it's FREE… so you can join the group and see all the latest on the group page!

2) Check out the group by clicking the tabs within the group or click the links below:

By Christine Jinbo

Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) decisively handled rival No. 5 ranked Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii) in the finals of the Iolani Tournament and moved into the No. 1 spot in this week's ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings.  The BuffanBlu rose to the No. 1 spot without making a trip off the Island and for good reason. 

First, Punahou is unbeaten and a perfect record is a perfect record. Secondly, the Hawaii boys showed they could not only compete in the Southern California arena, but could rise to the top, when Hawaii club teams Outrigger and KuiKahi advanced through the ranks of the SCVA Qualifier.  Outrigger took first in the national event and KuiKahi placed fifth.  Finally, they return top player in the state, USC commit Maddison McKibbin.  Top players from the Outrigger Club Taylor Crabb and Henry Cassiday, join McKibbin and make Punahou a solid opponent.

Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) made waves in the rankings after it trounced previously undefeated No. 1 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), 27-25, 25-17, 25-18.  With such a decisive victory, the Cubs laid claim to the top spot, but a preseason loss to Orange Lutheran and a tournament loss to the Mustangs placed two blemishes on the Cubs' record. 

As teams in Illinois get further into their seasons, we may see a push in this region for the top spot as well.  Towards the end of the season given the same factors, strength of schedule will also make a bigger impact into this ranking. 
 

Click here for the ESPN RISE FAB 50 Ranking
Week three records as of March 30, 2009

By Christine Jinbo

In week two, teams nationwide made jumps up and down the rankings.  Preseason tournaments and early season matches helped teams hit their strides for their upcoming rivalry matches. 

Teams from the Sunshine State dominate the ESPN RISE FAB 50 boys' volleyball rankings with the most number of matches played and the most number of high school programs in the country. 

Rivalry matches look to heat up the mix with No. 1 Mira Costa playing No. 4 Loyola on Friday, No. 2 Punahou versus No. 5 Iolani in two weeks, and No. 9 St. Xavier opening its season with rival No. 15 Cincinnati Elder.

Click here for the ESPN RISE FAB 50 Ranking
Week One records as of March 22, 2009

Come back soon as we bring you video highlights from the O.C. Championships hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School.

By Christine Jinbo

In week one of the ESPN RISE FAB 50 Rankings, teams from California jumped and fell in the ranking, as the Golden State played games of consequence. Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Missouri have yet to begin season and look to open up this week.  Hawaii teams have just begun early season play, with Div. I teams rolling through the first part of league play.

Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) remained atop the rankings as it bested the rest and most importantly, rival, Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) at the Best of the West Invitational. The Mustangs went through the tournament undefeated with a 6-0 record.

Costa's Ian Satterfield was awarded the tournament MVP and co-captain Evan Licht received All Tournament honors.  The two Costa captains spoke to ESPN RISE about the school's rivalry with Loyola.

Click here for the ESPN RISE FAB 50 Boys Volleyball Rankings

Week One records as of March 15, 2009

By Christine Jinbo

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Eric Mochalski returns for Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

By Christine Jinbo

A topic of discussion, that pervades the end of the high school season, revolves around one question, "Which team deserves the moniker of ESPN RISE National Champion?

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Rachel Williams, CIF State Championships MVP

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The third piece of the three part series, "Who will be No. 1?" shines the light on the Monarchs of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).  The ESPN RISE National Champion will be crowned from one of the

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Mitty celebrates at the CIF State Championships.

top three teams in the current ESPN RISE Fab 50 ranking, No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), No. 2 La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) and No. 3 Mercy Academy (Louisville, Ky.).  All three teams posted one loss on the season and each has a legitimate claim to the title.

As the season began, Mitty had to completely re-tool their offensive system, which was based around its previous dominant middle, Amanda Gil.  The pressure on the outside hitters became evident without their go-to middle.  The new system, built on tenacious defense, was not complete until it developed one of its weaknesses  into a strength.   The casual observer might never notice the Monarchs' spotty serve receive passing, but it was this that allowed Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar to develop a secondary offense that generated almost as many kills from the back row as the front.
(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE will crown a National Champion from one of its top three teams in the current ESPN RISE Fab 50 ranking, No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), No. 2 La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	La Costa Canyon celebrates its first CIF State Championship

By Christine Jinbo

In the race for the No. 1 spot, there are three worthy competitors, the current ESPN RISE No. 1 Archbishop Mitty, No. 2 La Costa Canyon and No. 3 Mercy Academy. ESPN RISE conducts a three part series that explores each team's claim for the No. 1 spot.  First in the series, No. 3 Mercy Academy's claim to the coveted National Championship is broken down and examined.
(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The CIF State Championships, held at Bren Events Center on the campus of UC Irvine, concluded with an anticlimactic Division I final.  As a matter of course, the Division II final showcased a spectacular competition that outshined its Division I counterpart. 
(Read full post)

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.
&nbs...

(Read full post)

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...

(Read full post)

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)