ESPN RISE
	Taylor Sander of Norco signed with BYU

by Kirstin Olsen/ESPN RISE 

November 11-18 was the early signing period for Prospective Student-Athletes Enrolling in the 2010-2011 Academic Year. Usually boys volleyball commits wait until spring period April 14- August 1.

BYU, Hawaii, Stanford and UCLA have signed a few in the early period. Penn State has a verbal commit from Mira Costa bomber Jace Olsen but has not released a press release on early signees. Unlike football, volleyball players usually stick with their verbal commitments, but never say never.

BYU looks to add depth to their outside position with Taylor Sander (Norco). Hawaii reloads at the middle position with two 6-foot-8-ers. Stanford and UCLA have notably the strongest classes for 2010 with a bevy of talent from CA, IL, NY, HI and PA. The Bruins'  commit 7-foot Robert Page (Victor) tops the height charts for early signees.

Below is the list for early signees from November 11-19. 

College   First   Last   High school   city    state   position   

BYU   Joshue   Rivera   Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola   San Juan   Puerto Rico   OH   

BYU   Taylor    Sander   Norco   Norco   CA   OH   

Hawaii   Shane    Popelka   Great Bridge High School   Chesapeake   VA   MB   

Hawaii   Shane   Welch   Douglas   Parkland   FL   MB   

Penn State   Jace   Olsen   Mira Costa   Manhattan Beach   CA   MB   

Stanford   Brian    Cook   Soquel HS   Santa Cruz   CA   OH   

Stanford   Denny   Falls   Providence Catholic HS   New Lennox   IL   MB   

Stanford   Steve   Irvin   Loyola   Los Angles   CA   OH   

Stanford   Eric   Mochalski   Mira Costa   Manhattan Beach   CA   OH   

Stanford   Scot   Sakaida   Iolani   Honolulu   HI   L   

Stanford   Daniel   Tublin   Fox Chapel   Pittsburgh   PA   OH   

UCLA   Michael    Beals   Mira Costa   Manhattan Beach   CA   S   

UCLA   Jackson   Belcher   Palos Verdes    Palos Verdes   CA   Opp/S   

UCLA   Robert    Page   Victor   Victor   NY   OH   

UCLA   Kendall   Partie   La Costa Canyon   Encinitas   CA   S   

UCLA   Spencer    Rowe   Mission Viejo   Mission Viejo   CA   OH/MB  

The next NLI signing period is April 14- August 1.
 
Have you committed?
Did we miss anyone?

Let us know…
kolsen@studentsports.com

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by Kirstin Olsen/ESPN RISE 

	Courtesy Shelby Cloyd
	Taylor Unroe of Muncie Burris is headed to Florida.

Excitement filled the air as the first signing period date arose…November 11-18 was the early signing period for Prospective Student-Athletes Enrolling in the 2010-2011 Academic Year.

Hawaii reloads with California talent. Cal-Berkeley reloads with Texas talent. Penn State replaces some size with more size. Texas replenishes with an array of offensive weapons. UCLA only inks one, Dana Reeves (Cathedral Catholic), but has a notable group of walk ons from the Golden State, Meg Norton (Harvard-Westlake), Allie LaPierre (Bonita), Jenna Scilacci (Marymount) and Angelica Chaghouri (Marymount).
 
Stanford and USC haven't released a press release on early signees but they do have some verbal commits.

Stanford has the golden child Lydia Bai (Beckman), daughter of Jenny Lang-Ping. USC will sign super setter from Texas, Sara Shaw (Westlake), and reload the outside with Falyn Fonoimoana (Mira Costa) and Kirby Burnham (Newport Harbor). All and all 2010's class is definitely strong and big and should come in with a bang.

Below is a list of early signees for top 20-ish NCAA teams.

College   First   Last         High school   city    state   position

Cal-Berkeley   Lauren    Loerch   Georgetown   Georgetown   TX   OH  
Cal-Berkeley   Adrienne   Gehan   Episcopal School    Dallas   TX   Opp
 
Florida   Taylor    Unroe   Muncie Burris   Muncie    IN   OH/L  
Florida   Chanel    Brown   Valley Christian   Tempe   AZ   S
 
Hawaii   Kaela    Goodman   Mission Viejo   Mission Viejo   CA   OH  
Hawaii   Mita   Uiato    Long Beach Poly   Long Beach   CA   S  
Hawaii   Emily    Hartong   Los Alamitos   Los Alamitos   CA   MB  
Hawaii   Michelle    Waber    Elsinore   Lake Elsinore   CA   OH  

Illinois   Jennifer   Bonilla   Marymount   Los Angeles   CA   L   
Illinois   Anna   Dorn   Munster   Munster   IN   MB   
Illinois   Jazmine   Orozco   Lakewood   Lakewood   CA   OH  

Indiana   Melanie   Hicks   Assumption   Louisville   KY   DS  

Iowa State   Kristen    Hahn   Cedar Rapids   Cedar Rapids   IA   DS
Iowa State   Tenisha    Matlock   North Platte   North Platte   NE   MB  
Iowa State   Hannah   Willms   Waterloo   Waterloo   IA   OH  

Kentucky   Elizabeth   Koberstein   Madison West    Madison    WI   S

Michigan   Jennifer   Cross   Birchmount Park Collegiate   Scarborough ON/CA MB  
Michigan  Molly   Toon   Middleton   Middleton   WI   OH
Michigan   Lexi   Erwin   Woodlands College Park   Spring   TX   OH  

Minnesota   Ashley    Wittman   Shakopee   Shakopee   MN   OH  
Minnesota   Tori   Dixon   Burnsville   Burnsville   MN   MB  
 
Nebraska   Morgan Broekhuis   Colorado Spring Christian   Colorado Springs   CO   MB/OH
Nebraska   Kristen   Kelsay   Wheaton St. Francis   Wheaton   IL   OH
 
Notre Dame   Andrea   McHugh   El Dorado   Placentia   CA    OH  
Notre Dame   Lauren   Stuhr   Huntington Beach   Huntington Beach   CA   S
 
Oregon    Camryn    Irwin   Prarie   Bush Prarie   WA   S  
Oregon    Lauren   Plum   Poway   Poway   CA   S  
Oregon    Jaklyn   Wheeler   Red Bluff   Red Bluff   CA   OH  
Oregon    Ariana   Williams   Poly   Riverside   CA   MB
 
Penn State   Maddie   Martin   Plant   Tampa   FL   OH  
Penn State   Katie   Slay   Wakefield   Raleigh   NC   MB  
Penn State   Deja   McClendon   Dupont Manual   Louisville   KY   OH  
Penn State   Mikinzie   Moydell   Chaparral   Parker   CO   S  
Penn State   Ariel   Scott   Union Catholic   Newark   NJ   OH/MB 
 
Pepperdine   Kellie    Woolever   Long Beach Wilson   Long Beach    CA   S
Pepperdine   Emily    Cook   Murrieta Valley   Murrieta   CA   OH

Stanford   Sam   Wopat   Dos Pueblos   Goleta   CA   OH  
Stanford   Carly   Wopat   Dos Pueblos   Goleta   CA   MB/OH  
Stanford   Rachel   Wiliams   Archbishop Mitty   San Jose   CA    OH  
Stanford   Lydia   Bai   Beckman   Irvine   CA    OH 

Tennessee   Kelsey    Robinson   Wheaton St. Francis   Wheaton   IL   OH  
Tennessee   Carly   Sahagian   Bartlett   Bartlett   IL   OH  
Tennessee   Kylann   Scheidt   Farragut   Knoxville   TN   S 
 
Texas   Hannah   Allison   Siloam Springs   Siloam Springs   AR   S/Opp  
Texas   Ashley    Bannister   Travis   Richmond   TX   OH  
Texas   Haley    Cameron   La Jolla   La Jolla   CA   MB  
Texas   Sarah   Palmer   Hawaii Baptist Academy   Honolulu   HI   OH 
 
UC Irvine   Shannon   Fleming   Archbishop Mitty   San Jose   CA    MB
 
UC Santa Barbara   Katey    Thompson   Newport Harbor   Newport Beach   CA   MB 

UCLA   Kelly   Reeves   Cathedral Catholic   San Diego   CA   OH  

USC   Sara   Shaw   Westlake   Austin   TX   S  
USC   Kirby   Burnham   Newport Harbor   Newport Beach   CA   OH  
USC    Falyn    Fonoimoana   Mira Costa   Manhattan Beach   CA   OH

Washington   Kaleigh   Nelson   Sprague   Salem   OR   OH/MB  
Washington   Gabbi   Parker   Sheldon   Eugene   OR   OH  
 
The next NLI signing period is April 14- August 1.
 
Have you committed?
Did we miss anyone?

Let us know…
kolsen@studentsports.com

Have you joined or ESPN RISE Volleyball Facebook Page?

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/ESPN RISE 

The recruiting process these days seems to focus on younger players. We have seen the recruiting process in football and basketball slowly trickle down to man-child like freshmen, but now in volleyball?

Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) senior Falyn Fonoimoana, who was one of those woman-child like figures hitting 6-feet in the eighth grade, verbally committed to USC the summer after her freshman year.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Falyn Fonoimoana of Mira Costa decided to become a Trojan before she started her sophomore year.

"I think the common physical attributes of athletes for highly successful programs at the collegiate level is becoming more apparent,” commented Brett Almazan-Cezar from Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)  The Monarchs are currently ranked No. 1 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 National Rankings. 

"To win national championships, to be ranked near the top, to win conferences; programs need to have athletes that are tall and very athletic,” Almazan-Cezar  continued. "With women these physical attributes appear earlier than in male athletes. Skill development can come later. Programs are jumping at the chance to get these athletes when they become identified.”

Plus, there is the pressure to win.

"Mainly by their win/loss record. So, the coaches are trying to get the edge or advantage and win the recruiting war,” said Francis Parker (San Diego, Calif.) Head Coach and 1988 Gold Medalist Eric Sato.

Jeff Jendryk, the father of two heavily recruited daughters in Illinois, Jessica and Jenna, has been through the process twice. Both girls attended Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), which has turned out seven Division One players last year.

His first daughter Jessica, now a freshman at University of Illinois, was getting looks from college coaches when she was 13 years old at the USAV High Performance Championships in 2004. Jessica received about 100 letters from interested programs in her high school career. She received five offers after five visits from Michigan, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue. She later signed with Illinois.

One of the questions on the recruiting questionnaires is if you have any other siblings, which automatically puts younger siblings, like Jenna, on the recruiting radar because of their bloodlines. Jenna is a sophomore this year and started to get looks at 13 as well. She has already received 40 letters and has five colleges interested in her, Michigan State, University of Florida, Maryland and Dayton. She plans on verbally committing in January.

So what is the benefit of verbally committing to a school so early?

"Committing early alleviates pressure off of all the college prep stuff and the athlete can focus on grades and get a great score on their ACT's and SAT's,” Jeff Jendryk elaborated. 

The senior Wopat twins of Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.), Samantha and Carly, have both committed to Stanford. They feel they weren't contacted, too, early about college.

"We do not feel like we received information from colleges, too, early. Looking over the brochures and media guides, in addition to talking to the coaches actually helped us know the colleges and programs better,” said the sisters. "We were definitely not ready to make a decision at that age or that time (we were 15 years old as sophomores).”

There are a limited to supply of Blue Chip athletes and college programs are all looking for an edge/advantage in recruiting the top kids. Paying attention to the younger ones seems like the natural process.

With all of the rules and red flags in the recruiting process some kids do not get the opportunity to visit a college until their junior year. This makes verbally committing to a college your sophomore year unrealistic unless you can afford to visit a school for an unofficial visit before then.

UCLA assistant head coach Kim Jagd is in her 17th year with the Bruin program.

"The evolution of the recruiting process has occurred to gain advantage and in order to not get left behind,” Jagd stated. "It will continue until there is legislation to influence or alter the current course." 

The general consensus is for parents and athletes is to stay informed. Getting letters from schools your sophomore year motivates an athlete to think ahead and explore all the opportunities that colleges offer. Athletes interested in certain schools should not be afraid to show interest.

The NCAA offers a lot of great need to know information at...NCAA.org

As talent gets bigger sooner and college coaches start peering into middle school matches, stay informed and in control of the situation and remember that no decision needs to be made until junior year.

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
 

Posted by Christine Jinbo

Benet (Lisle, Ill.) made a big jump into the rankings last week with its performance at the Wheaton Classic volleyball tournament hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.).  ESPN RISE Volleyball featured Brianne Riley (Benet Academy) in its player spotlight of the week for her outstanding performance at the event. 

Although Benet jumped into the top three last week, there was no movement among those schools this week.  Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.) remained undefeated and retained its spot atop the rankings.

Check out the Sun-Times girls volleyball rankings from Phil Broyzniski for the state of Illinois.  Click the link to view his comments and the full ranking.

1. Joliet Catholic 13-0 (1)
2. St. Francis 17-0 (2)
3. Benet 15-2 (3)
4. Hinsdale Central 15-2 (4)
5. Lyons 18-1 (5)

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE Volleyball recognized senior Brianne Riley of Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), as the player spotlight of the week for her outstanding performance at the Wheaton Classic volleyball tournament, where she led the team in digs and in serve receive rating.

Benet Academy Head Coach Brad Baker said, "Brianne played outstanding volleyball and was a major key to our success through the tournament and in the championship match."

	Courtesy Benet Athletic Progam
	Brianne Riley

The Redwings glided into the ESPN RISE FAB 50 when they avenged their one loss to No. 36 Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.) and secured the Wheaton Classic championship.

The University of Kansas commit talked about the tournament victory and what it meant to the team.

"Our team has been working really hard and we all wanted it."  She continued, "We played together and the best feeling is playing as a team."

Riley commits herself to volleyball, to the student government and is part of an athletic family.  Her family and her brothers are where she draws inspiration.

Riley's father played baseball and football at Benedictine University and coached at the University of Louisville.  Her sister played softball and volleyball. Riley's brother, currently plays football at Purdue and her younger brother is a three sport athlete.

"My older brother Jimmy inspires me. He works hard and commits to whatever he is doing."

Riley added, "When he has a goal he puts his all into it and doesn't stop until he has accomplished it."

Her inspiration also comes from younger brother, Danny, who had three open-heart surgeries and is now playing football, baseball, and basketball.

"He is a stud and nothing could stop him from doing what he loves to do," said Riley proudly.   

Benet Academy is a family tradition with the Riley clan, both of Riley's parents attended Benet and her father made a big impact as a football and baseball player there.  Riley feels blessed at the opportunity to play for the school her parents attended and to play for coach Brad Baker.

"His [Baker's] first focus is for his players to be good people, good teammates, and work hard. I have been fortunate enough to be coached by him and he has made me into the player I am today," said Riley.

She added, "This is the kind of environment you will receive when you are at Benet, a Catholic school. Faith and prayer play a very big role in my life and my family's."(Read full post)

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

The Tournament of Champions hosted by ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 31 St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), described as a boutique tournament by this author, featured pools without any two teams from the same state.

St. Joseph's Head Coach Karen Davis said, "It was an interesting and competitive tournament."  She continued, "All gold division matches went into the deciding third set."

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 7 Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) swept the tournament with a 5-0 record and defeated No. 41 Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kans.) in the finals, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22.  The two Kentucky teams, Sacred Heart and Mercy (Louisville, Ky), placed first and fourth.

Mercy sustained three losses on the tournament, the first to Cor Jesu (St. Louis, Mo.) in pool play.  Sacred Heart defeated Mercy in the semifinals in a tight three set match, 25-27, 25-23, 25-23 and St. Joe finished the Jags off in the third place game.

To complicate future ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings, Mercy defeated the second place team Miege while St. Joe, which defeated Mercy, lost to Miege in the semifinal match, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16.

Below are the results from the Tournament of Champions at St. Joseph's Academy.

1.  Sacred Heart Academy  (5-0)
2.  Bishop Miege (3-2)
3.  St. Joseph's Academy (3-2)
4.  Mercy (2-3)
 
5.  Althoff (2-3)
6.  Cor Jesu (3-2)
7.  Bishop Kelly (2-3)
8.  Colonial Forge (0-5)

By Christine Jinbo

	Tony Martin/ESPN RISE
	Sacred Heart will play three matches in pool play against teams from different states.

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

Posted by Christine Jinbo

We bring our readers polls from around the nation. Regional polls help shape the national polls in different ways, so before the ESPN RISE FAB 50 volleyball rankings are released later this week, here are some regional polls to consider.  Click the links to view the entire polls.

California:
CIF-SS 2009 COACHES' PRESEASON GIRLS VOLLEYBALL POLL
(As of SEPTEMBER 8, 2009)
      
RK.     DIVISION 1-AA
1.         Santa Margarita
2.         Mira Costa
3.         Wilson/LB
4.         Los Alamitos
5.         Long Beach Poly
6.         Lakewood
 
DIVISION 1-A
1. Santa Barbara
2. Dos Pueblos
3. Marymount
4. Laguna Beach
5. El Dorado
6. Arroyo Grande
 
DIVISION 2-AA
1. Redlands East Valley
2. Corona del Mar
3. Beckman
4. Bishop Montgomery
5. St Lucy's
6. Walnut
&nbs...

(Read full post)

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 Beach Junior Tour hosted two events this weekend, the North Coast Open in Chicago, Ill. and the East Coast Open in Rochester, N.Y.

The North Coast Open, held Aug. 1, featured teams from the Midwest and Great Lakes.

In the Girls' U-20 Division, Erin Brocher (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and Crystal Wright (Lake Zurich, Ill.) defeated Mallory Palmer (Poynette, Wis.) and Kelsey Witt (McFarland, Wis.), 21-15 to claim the top spot.

Lindsey Gosh (Oconomowoc, Wis.) and Lauren Gnewuch (Oconomowoc, Wis.) defeated Jenna Jacobson (Chicago, Ill.) and Mary Dent (Chicago, Ill.), 21-10 for first place in the U-18 Girls' Division. Lindsay Adams (Coldwater, Ill.) and Alisha Lang (Schodcraft, Mich.) came in third place with a 21-19 win.

On the boys' side, Mike Adams (St. Louis, Mo.) and Joe Schwarz (St. Louis, Mo.) defeated Scott Siwicki (Elk Grove, Ill.) and Szymon Geirut (Elkgrove, Ill.) 21-17 for first place in the U-20 Division.

In the Boys' U-18 Division, Kyle Cook (Wilmette, Ill.) and C.J. Berg (Glenview, Ill.) beat Tim Huizinga (Frankfort, Ill.) and Joe Smalzer (Palos Heights, Ill.) 22-20 to claim the top spot. Michael Bojda (Chicago, Ill.) and Enrico Mirabelli (Chicago, Ill.) came in third with a 21-13 win.

The East Coast Open was held the following day, Aug. 2, in Rochester, N.Y. and featured teams from Pennsylvania and New York.

Hailee Herc (Eden, N.Y.) and Heather Feldman (Eden, N.Y.) took first place in the Girls' U-18 Division with a 30-15 win over Aubrey Cooke (Rochester, N.Y.) and Lisa Delfs (Canandaigua, N.Y.). Jenna Gilbert (Cambridge, Ontario) and Madison Warnock (Cambridge, Ontario) took third place with a convincing 15-3 win.

Robbie Page (Rochester, N.Y.) and Mike Pelletier (Albany, N.Y.) won the Boys' U-18 Division 30-24 defeating Dave Evans (Rochester, N.Y.) and Ryan Dangler (Rochester, N.Y.). Greg Witkowski (Webster, N.Y.) and Bryan Eckler (Webster, N.Y.) came in third place with a 15-12 win.

The next event on the USA Beach Junior Tour is the Pacific Open on Aug. 7-8 in Seaside, Ore.

Read more about the USA Junior Tour at USA Volleyball.

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

St. Louis High Performance Volleyball (St. Louis, Mo.) had the biggest brains in the gym at the Boys Classic in Anaheim, Calif.  It has become, somewhat of a recent trend, for Ivy League schools that host mens' volleyball, to send their coaches recruiting in the same arena as UC Irvine, USC and other top NCAA Div. I programs.

Two Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) High School graduates, Michael Dye and Sean Cotter will head to Princeton (N.J.) in the fall and three St. Louis (Mo.) area athletes, who all play on St. Louis High Performance, will head to MIT (Boston, Mass.) and Harvard (Cambridge, Mass.).

These three athletes Matt Hohenberger, Rob Lothman and, Patrick Vatterott  spoke to ESPN RISE Volleyball about their choice to attend these academically rigorous schools.  Check out their video below.

Video Link

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.

Video Link

By Christine Jinbo

The USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships features 17 tournaments, overlapping between June 26 to July 5, 2009 in Miami, Fla. and divided according to age division. 

ESPN RISE Volleyball wants to hear from participants in the tournament. 

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Kelly Reeves of Encinitas WAVE will compete at J.O.'s in hopes of winning another Junior Olympic Championship.

The 14 Open Division features eight teams from the California with six from the Southern California Region, eight teams from Texas split between the North Texas and Lone Star Regions, and two teams from the same club, St. Louis CYC 14 Blue and 14 Green. 

The other bids in the division split between eight regions, which will vie for the tournament title of Junior Olympic Champions. Open teams listed below.

Once teams advance to the 15 Open Division, the regional breakdown becomes slightly more diverse as eleven other regions, besides California and Texas vie for the crown.

California teams grow in dominance, with eleven teams competing, eight of which hail from Southern California.  Texas teams have slightly less representation with five teams, three from North Texas and two from the Lone Star Region.

Come back as we break down the 16, 17 and 18 Open Divisions in the championships by region. 

&nb...

(Read full post)

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.

Video Link