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)

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

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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)

Every week ESPN RISE Volleyball will voice high school bloggers from across the nation. This week we would like to introduce freshman outside hitter Kaitlyn Granger of Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas.

I'm Kaitlyn Granger and a 14-year-old playing varsity for 5A Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas. I have been playing volleyball for seven years, but it wasn't my first activity or my first love!

At three, I started dance and gymnastics and competed in both until I was in the third grade. Soccer and basketball were the sports I began playing at the age of five.

	Photo Courtesy of Granger Family
	Kaitlyn Granger of Arlington (Tex.)

Honestly, I thought soccer was going to be the sport I would play the longest. My D1 soccer team was Solar Red and I played forward. Basketball was the other sport I played and when I first started, boys and girls played together. I was fearless and loved to compete against them (boys)!!

However, when I began to play YMCA volleyball at the age of eight, I instantly fell in love with a something I didn't know existed...volleyball!!

I couldn't get enough of playing!! I went to Arlington Courts (club team ACE) that started a league for kids on Friday nights! I loved that because I had cheer, soccer, and basketball on Saturdays. At 10 years old, I wanted to tryout for the 12's at ACE and made the top team. I decided to limit other activities and focus more time on volleyball.

Texas Advantage (TAV) is where I spent my next two years playing. I was on their top team, 12 TAV Asics, and went to Nationals and placed third, in American Division. That was an awesome feeling!! After 13 TAV Asics the next season, I met my current 14s and future 15s club coaches, the Drewnicks at one of their summer camps.

What attracted me to train with Cilene Drewnick was been the fact that she played in two Olympics for Brazil and had played professional volleyball for 16 years. Over the summer she was involved in the training of the USA Youth National Team, spent a week training University of Nebraska in August and even took Penn State, last May, to train with the Brazilian National Team.

Cilene and her husband, Eduardo Drewnick, took a new club (called Instinct Volleyball Club) and in our first year our 14s Instinct Tigers, won North Texas regionals, qualified for the Tour of Texas (seventh overall), and did well at Nationals in Miami this past summer.

Their drive and enthusiasm helped me decide that my goal was to make varsity as a freshman for a 5A high school team and reached it. Our team had eight seniors, five sophomores, and two freshmen.  I wanted to earn the respect of the coaches (Sue Cauley and Kim Spencer), but most of all the seniors, and know that when I'm out on the court, they can trust me to play my position, and know their experience and guidance has helped me get through my first year.

After making the team, my new goal was to start, and I have done that almost every match this season. As a 5'11 outside hitter, I currently have over 300 kills in my first season. 

Let us know…

kolsen@studentsports.com

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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 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
 

Texas:  

Class 4A       
1. Richardson Pearce 
2. Canyon Randall 
3. Austin Lake Travis 
4. Friendswood 
5. Red Oak 

Class 5A       
1. San Antonio Reagan 
2. Round Rock Westwood 
3. Amarillo 
4. Allen 
5. San Antonio O'Connor 

 
CIF-Southern Section
DIVISION 1-AA
1. Newport Harbor
2. Mira Costa
3. Wilson/LB
4. Lakewood
5. Redondo
 
DIVISION 1-A
1. Santa Barbara
2. Dos Pueblos
3. Marymount
4. El Dorado
5. Laguna Beach
 
DIVISION 2-AA
1. Redlands East Valley
2. Corona del Mar
3. South Torrance
4. Beckman
5. Bishop Montgomery
 

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE Volleyball analyzed the pools last week; now see which teams made it out of pool play.  The Gold Bracket was determined by a "knock out" round, which pitted teams that placed first in their pools against teams that placed second.  The Gold Bracket had an even distribution of second and first place teams advance, four and four.  Come back to see the knock out round broken down match by match.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	After early season losses, Newport Harbor came on strong and made the Durango Gold Bracket Finals.

Pool 1:  
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 2. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 3. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), 4. Tri-City Christian (Vista, Calif.)

First: Archbishop Mitty 
Second: Harvard Westlake 

Mitty was the clear favorite in this pool and it showed as the Monarchs dispatched Clovis West and Tri-City Christian in straight sets.  Harvard Westlake proved to be a bigger challenge as the Monarchs dropped the first set 27-29, but bounced back for a 25-21, 25-15 victory.

Although Clovis West was seeded second in the pool, it had its hands full with third seed, Harvard Westlake.  Harvard Westlake rolled through Tri-City Christian then dropped the first set of their last match to Clovis West.  The Wolverines came back from the one set deficit and defeated the Golden Eagles, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22.

Pool 2:    
1. Los Alamitos (Calif.), 2. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 3. Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 4. Silverado (Henderson, Nev.)

First: Redlands East Valley   
Second: Los Alamitos  

Third seeded in Pool 2, Redlands East Valley shocked the first seed, Los Alamitos in the pool opener.  Whether Los Alamitos was playing on tired legs or it felt game tested enough to tinker with the line up from its consecutive weekend tournament victories, is uncertain.  The Griffins clinched the first set, then dropped the match in overtime (25-20, 18-25, 27-25).  The loss resulted in a challenge round match against No. 1 Archbishop Mitty, which knocked the Griffins out of the Gold Bracket.

By Christine Jinbo

See how the pools stack up at the Durango Classic girls' volleyball tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.  Last year La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) reached down deep after a series extra set victories in the quarters and semis to win the tournament.  This year, every pool brings a high level of competition. Teams will not have to wait until playoffs to face a challenge.  Keep reading to see how each pool stacks up.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Los Alamitos' Jane Croson is one of the hardest hitters in the state.

Pool 1- at Durango
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 2. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) , 3. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), 4. Tri-City Christian (Vista, Calif.)
Archbishop Mitty  is the clear favorite in this pool with Kristina Graven and Rachael Williams firing on the outsides and from the backrow.  Harvard Westlake  could challenge and senior outside hitter Meg Norton shines, but it does not have the depth of Mitty.  Clovis West played Mitty already and lost in straight sets.
 
Pool 2. - at Green Valley
1. Los Alamitos (Calif.), 2. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 3. Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 4. Silverado (Henderson, Nev.)
Los Alamitos comes off two back-to-back tournament victories.  This could mean one of two things: the Griffins are playing on tired legs in their third consecutive tournament or they are game tested and ready to win a third tournament.  The tandem of Jane Croson and Halli Amaro are big weapons for the Griffins.
 
Buchanan  is unbeaten, yet untested.  This pool will be an eye-opener for the Bears. Redlands East Valley graduated some big studs last year, but senior setter Johnna Fouch has a big target in 6-foot-2 versitile Krista Vansant.
 
Pool 3. - at Foothill
1. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), 2. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 3. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.), 4. Saint Pius X (Albuquerque, N.M.)
La Costa Canyon  has go to hitters Natalie Hagglund and Natalie Loos and an all star in Kendall Polan delivering the ball.  The Mavericks have already taken care of Santa Margarita this season, but look for the Eagles to come back strong with Kylie Hargreaves banging away on the outside.
&nbs...

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The Durango Volleyball Classic (Las Vegas, Nev.) began as an eight-team tournament, with neighboring high school Green Valley, the winner of the first event.  The tournament, which celebrates its fifteenth year, has since grown into a 48-team national tournament with a waiting list pages long.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Can Falyn Fonoimoana will Mira Costa to victory at Durango?

Check out ESPN RISE Volleyball's coverage of the
2008 Durango Classic.

The pool assignments are a major factor in overall tournament finish.  Check back as we break down the pools. Which team has a walk and which team has a difficult road? Check back to find out!

2009 Pool Play Assignments       

Pool 1. (Ct 1. at Durango)
1. Archbishop Mitty
2. Clovis West
3. Harvard-Westlake
4. Tri-City Christian

Pool 2. (Ct 1. at Green Valley)
1. Los Alamitos
2. Buchanan
3. Redlands East Valley
4. Silverado
 
Pool 3. (Ct 1. at Foothill)
1. La Costa Canyon
2. Santa Margarita
3. Long Beach Poly
4. Saint Pius X(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

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)

 
The first ESPN RISE National Athletes of the Week for the 2009-10 have been chosen for the fall season.  The weekly national athlete of the week honors will be given to those who participate in fall sports other than football.

	Courtesy Pearce Athletics
	Elyse Burkert, profiled on ESPN RISE Volleyball received regional AOW honors.

The sports include boys cross country, girls cross country, boys soccer, girls soccer, girls volleyball, softball in the Southwest and Southeast and any other non-football school sanctioned sport. Football will have its own separate player of the week recognition program.

A panel of contributors from around the nation helps to select the honorees each week.  Of those athletes chosen for the ESPN RISE Athlete of the Week, one boy and one girl athlete are selected as the National Athlete of the Week.

Two volleyball athletes were chosen by ESPN RISE for the first honor of Athlete of the Week for the 2009-2010 school year. 

Elyse Burkert, profiled by ESPN RISE Volleyball, was chosen as a regional athlete of the week and Taylor Unroe of Burris (Muncie, Ind.) received the honor of National Athlete of the Week. Come back soon for more about Taylor Unroe as ESPN RISE Volleyball profiles the Burris star.

The ESPN RISE Athlete of the Week panel consists of Steve Underwood (cross country), Sheldon Shealer (soccer), Christine Jinbo (volleyball), Garland Cooper (softball), Doug Huff (multi-sports) and Mark Tennis (multi-sports).

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

With some states in preseason and others in full swing, the volleyball standout athlete of the week comes to us from the state of Texas, where the season officially opened August 3.  Elyse Burkert (Richardson, Texas) earned the honor of the ESPN RISE Volleyball Athlete of the Week with her extraordinary performance at the Pearland Classic Volleyball Tournament.

	Courtesy Pearce Athletic Dept.
	Elyse Burkert named MVP of the Pearland Classic.

The senior 5-foot-10 outside hitter led J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) to the championship of the Pearland Classic and made tournament history as the first 4A team to win the 76-team tournament. Burkert received MVP honors in the effort as the Mustangs defeated the No. 1 ranked team in Texas, San Antonio Reagan (San Antonio, Texas).

A two-sport athlete, Burkert began swimming at age six and began to play volleyball at age nine.  She earned four varsity letters with the swim team and her favorite memory, despite competing in the 200-meter relay in two state competitions, is being on the same team with her sister.

"I loved it that I had the chance to swim with my sister when she was a senior and I was a freshman," said Burkert.

In fourth grade, she played volleyball in the Plano Sports Authority (PSA) Leagues.  By fifth grade she became a self-proclaimed "ball-hog."

"My mom and dad moved me into club because … the coach kept telling me I had to let other people get the ball.  My parents felt I was ready to move on to club," Burkert said.

The Pearland MVP was unsure about her collegiate prospects until last year when she traveled to the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships with her club team, Dallas Premier 17 Mizuno.(Read full post)

August Tournament Wrap up, Ann Kang hosted by Iolani and the Duncanville Tournament of Champions

The preseason tournaments in August allowed coaches to test out their lineups, their rookies and their team chemistry.  Whether the tournament took place near or far the preseason bonding and competition will have lasting effects on the season.
 
At the Ann Kang Invitational Tournament, hosted by Iolani (Honolulu, Hawai'i) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.) High School claimed the Gold Bracket championship.  The match pitted California versus Hawaii as Redondo went head to head with Punahou (Honolulu, Hawai'i) High School.  Host Iolani  defeated Kahuku (Hawai'i) in straight sets for third place in the Gold Bracket.

(Read full post)

By Randy Weir, Special to ESPN RISE Volleyball

J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) shocked San Antonio Reagan and made history as the squad claimed the Pearland Championship.  Pearce won the 2009 Pearland Volleyball Classic this past weekend in Pearland, Texas as it defeated previously undefeated San Antonio Reagan 25-21, 26-28, 25-20.  The Pearland Classic is one of the most prestigious and largest high school volleyball tournaments in the nation and consistently turns out the strongest competition each year. 

This year the the tournament featured 76 teams, which included seven of the top 10 teams in the state and 12 of the top 20 teams, according to the lonestarvolleyball.com Texas poll.  The tournament,  historically dominated by 5A teams, made history with 4A Pearce.  The Mustangs finished, in the three days of competition, with an 8-0 record. 

Pearce was the only 4A team to reach the quarterfinals, was the first 4A team to reach the championship finals in the history of the tournament, and became the first 4A team in the history of the tournament to be crowned champions.  Not bad.

Five Mustangs won all tournament team honors: Elyse Burkert (MVP), Julie Olschwanger (Best Libero), Stephanie Holland, Katie O'Brien, and Shelby Sullivan.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo      

The best of the best in Texas will be decided at the Pearland Volleyball Classic.  Only one team in the 76-team field will be number one on Saturday, but until then, there are 19 number ones.  Nineteen pools, each seeded one through four.

The Classic, set to begin play Thursday, August 27, will conclude on Saturday, August 29.  Thursday's opening ceremonies featured Ogonna Nnamani, Olympic Silver Medalist as the guest of honor.

The tournament will take place on four campuses, Pearland High School, Dawson High School, Pearland Junior High South and Berry Miller Junior High School, with a total of ten courts.

The following teams were seeded first in their pool, but any one of the 76 teams could take the title. 
&nbs...

(Read full post)

Ogonna Nnamani, a member of the 2008 Women's Olympic Team, will be the featured speaker at the opening ceremonies of the Pearland Volleyball Classic.

Nnamani graduated from University High School in Normal, Ill. in 2001 and was selected the 2000 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year and the 2000 Student Sports National Women's Volleyball Player of the Year.

In 2004, Nnamani led Stanford University to the NCAA championship and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the final round after setting an NCAA record with 62 kills in the semifinal and final matches, combined. Her 823 kills that season set both Pacific-10 Conference and school records and ranks seventh in all-time NCAA competition.

She received the Honda-Broderick Cup, given annually to the Collegiate Women's Athlete of Year, and holds the conference record for career kills (2,450) placing her sixth in all-time NCAA rankings. In addition, she was named American Volleyball Coaches Association co-Division I National Player of the Year.

Nnamani joined the US National Women's Team in 2002 and has been an international professional star in Italy and Switzerland.

Opening Ceremonies begin, Thursday, August 27 to welcome Ogonna Nnamani to the city of Pearland.

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.

By Christine Jinbo

The Texas Girls Coaches Association released its pre-season girls' volleyball poll with few surprises.  Amarillo and Westlake topped the list of 5A contenders in the Texas coaches' poll.  The two coaches, Jan Barker and Al Bennett respectively, each have a legacy of producing state contenders year after year.

Last year, Amarillo defeated Westlake (Austin) in the finals of the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Div. 5A Championships, 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 15-11. Westlake returns the lone junior from the state All Tournament team last year, Sara Shaw.  The Chaparrals will look to the 6-foot-2 USC commit's experience to help lead the frontrunning squad this year.

Reagan (San Antonio) High School also made the coveted top five of the Top 10 poll.  Westlake defeated Reagan en route to the final four, 25-19, 22-25, 18-25, 25-19, 18-16.  Clear Creek (League City) High School bowed out to Amarillo in the semifinals of the tournament in a close five gamer, 19-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-10.

Texas Girls Coaches Association Pre-Season State Volleyball
Top Ten Poll
 - Only top five listed, to see the whole top ten, visit the Texas State Girls Coaches Association.

Conference 5A
1.   Amarillo
2.   Austin Westlake
3.   League City Clear Creek
4.   San Antonio Reagan
5.   Fort Bend Travis

Conference 4A
1.    Hereford
2.    Richardson Pearce
3.    Austin Lake Travis
4.    Magnolia
5.    Red Oak

Conference 3A
1.   Lucas Lovejoy
2.   Brownwood
3.   Bellville
4.   Dalhart
5.   Fredericksburg

Conference 2A
1.   Bushland
2.   Wallis Brazos
3.   Pottsboro
4.   Jewett Leon
5.   White Oak

Conference 1A
1.  Windthorst
2.  Cayuga
3.  Yorktown
4.  Bronte
5.  Normagee

Senior middle blocker, Chiney Ogwumike and her family have impacted the Cy-Fair sports community.  With the Texas girls' volleyball season in its opening stages and tournaments set for mid-August, Ogwumike's leadership and talent help steer the Bobcats.

The Cy-Fair volleyball and basketball teams have benefited from the talents of Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike for the past five years.

But the 2009-10 school year will be the final year that one or both of the talented sisters grace the Class 5A campus.

"Don't remind me," Cy-Fair head volleyball coach Donna Benotti said with a chuckle. "We don't really want to think about it."

Chiney Ogwumike, who stands 6-foot-2, will be a senior at Cy-Fair, while Nneka is about to enter her sophomore season at Stanford.

The Ogwumike sisters led Cy-Fair to a state basketball title in 2008 and a trip to the state volleyball tournament in 2007.

Last year, Chiney helped lead Cy-Fair to a co-district volleyball championship and a third straight berth to the Class 5A state basketball tournament.

"She is quite an athlete," Benotti said of her star middle blocker/outside hitter. "My job is to try and figure out a way I can bring her back up to the front row when she is on the back line."

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 .