By Christine Jinbo and Kirstin Olsen

ESPN RISE Girls Volleyball National FAB 50 for games through the week of September 20, 2008.  Previous rank in parenthesis.

1     (8)    La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)    9-0    
The Mavericks were continually tested under pressure and continually performed like champions at the Durango Classic where they bested the field and took home the crown.  The tournament MVP award went to Kendall Polan, who consistently delivered a hittable ball throughout the tournament.  Taking nothing away from Polan, but instead honoring the whole team, the MVP could have gone to any number of the La Costa Canyon players.   They are a great mix of talent and each add something special to the newly crowned No. 1 team.

2    (2)    Plant (Tampa, Fla.)    4-0
The Panthers continued to dominate in the 5A District 10 League. Their biggest challenge this season will come at the Nike Challenge in Chicago, Ill., where six other FAB 50 teams will be compete.  Plant will first attend the select Berkeley Premier volleyball tournament hosted by Berkeley Prep (Tampa), where No. 9 Mercy (Louisville, Ky.) will play.  

3     (3)    Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)    14-1    
The Monarchs traveled to the Durango Classic completed pool play undefeated. Its toughest competitor was Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), which pushed the Monarchs to three games, 22-25, 25-18, 25-20.  The Monarchs performed well throughout the tournament where they bested Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) and Marymount (Los Angeles), but fell to the eventual champions La Costa Canyon, which dealt the squad their only loss on the weekend.

4     (5)    Benet  (Lisle, Ill.)    16-0   
The Redwings proved their supremacy in the Land of Lincoln with a huge tournament win at the Wheaton Classic. They bested the field and knocked off Naperville North (Naperville, Ill.) in the semis and Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.) in the final 25-23, 20-25, 25-23. Coming up this week is the undefeated Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.) and Bishop McNamara (Kankakee, Ill.).

5     (4)    Churchill (San Antonio, Tex.)    28-3    
The Chargers downed Smithson Valley, 26-24, 25-20, 25-21 and remained unbeaten in 5A District 26 with a 7-0 record.  A highly anticipated rematch with Reagan will come on October 3, where the two San Antonio schools will vie for the top spot in the Lone Star State.

6     (13)    Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)        18-3    
The Rockets blasted their way into the top ten this week with an impressive finish at the heralded Durango Classic. They cleaned up in pool and moved through the Qualifying Round and into the Championship round where they downed Liberty (Bakersfield, Calif.), which defeated Lakewood.  This set the table for a rematch of last year's Durango Classic final with the previously ranked No.6 Mira Costa. Coach Ron Kordes' squad played a phenomenal match and downed the Mustangs, 26-24, 25-15, but fell in the final to La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 25-18, 25-21.  Assumption will face Wagner (Louisville, Kent.) this week as it looks to chalk up another win.

7     (7)    Reagan (San Antonio, Tex.)    30-2    
Reagan defeated New Braunfels, the team that recently gave Churchill a run for its money in three straight. The Rattlers also made quick work of Johnson (San Antonio) and will face MacArthur (San Antonio) this week.

8     (6)    Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)    15-2
The Mustangs went into the Durango Classic undefeated and remained so throughout pool play where they never gave up more than 16 points.  The young squad rode the undefeated wave and scraped by Los Alamitos in the quarterfinals where they staved off eight match points and a 24-21 deficit in the second set, before they downed the Griffins, 21-25, 30-28, 25-23.  After the marathon match the Mustangs had little left for Assumption, which inflicted payback for its loss to Costa in the finals of this tournament a year ago, 26-24, 25-15.

9     (9)    Mercy (Louisville, Kent.)    16-1    
The Jags continued to roll through District 19 League. With the Louisville Invitational title under their belt Mercy accumulated wins over Presentation (Louisville) and Floyd Central (Floyds Knob). Without competition on the national level, Coach Garvey's squad moved behind Assumption in the rankings as the Rockets finished big at the Durango Classic. The two are split 1-1 and look to settle the series in early October.

10     (20)    Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.)    13-2    
The defending state champs were second best at Wheaton Classic, where they fell to Benet Academy in the finals, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23.  The Red Hawks took care of Downers Grove South (Downers Grove) in the semis, 25-23,25-21, before they lost in a close final match. Next up for the Red Hawks will be Glenbard East (Lombard).

11     (18)    Long Beach Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)    14-3    
The Bruins played consistently well at the Durango Classic and nearly toppled eventual tournament champion and newly crowned No. 1 La Costa Canyon.  After their only loss of the tournament at the hands of the Mavericks, Coach Susan Pescar's squad went on and defeated Marymount (Los Angeles) and Los Alamitos and ended with a fifth place finish. Wilson will take on cross-town Millikan in its league opener at home this week.

12     (11)    Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.)    14-0    
The Bearcats were victorious over the weekend with wins over Marion (Ind.) and Logansport. Central will face Delta this week and continue to be a frontrunner in the North Central League.

13     (10)    O'Connor (San Antonio, Tex.)    25-3    
The Panthers remained undefeated in District 28-5A with a 6-0 record and rolled through District 28 competitors Taft (San Antonio) and Holmes (San Antonio). O'Connor will face the third place team in the district, Brandeis (San Antonio) and Stevens (San Antonio) next.

14     (15)    Ursuline (Cincinnati, Ohio)    11-0    
The Lions proved they were the top cat in Ohio last week as they remained undefeated in the Greater Cincinnati Scarlet League and recently defeated cross-town rival Mount Notre Dame. This week, Ursuline will face Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati) for the second time this season.

15     (14)    Papillion La Vista (Papillion, Neb.)    13-0    
The Monarchs survived the field at the Lincoln Public Schools Southeast Classic at Lincoln Southeast.  They defeated Bellevue West (Bellevue), Marian (Omaha) and took care of Grand Island in the final. Up next this week is Benson (Omaha).

16     (27)    Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.)    15-4    
The Griffins downed the previously ranked No. 1 Lakewood in the finals of the Gahr Invitational before they traveled to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Durango Classic. Los Al finished first in their pool over Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii) and by the end of the day Friday, had played eight matches in as many days.  By the quarterfinals, the fatigue factor set in as the Griffins gave up three straight match points against Mira Costa, which went on to win the match.  Coach Dave Huber's squad finished sixth overall at Durango.

17     (23)    Amarillo (Amarillo, Tex.)    35-4    
The Sandies remained unbeaten in District 2 5A as they downed the second place team in the district, San Angelo Central in three straight.  Coach Jan Baker's squad faces Tascosa (Amarillo) this week.

18     (49)    Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)    6-3    
The Sailors finished first in their pool at Durango then bested Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii) in the Qualifying Round.  Marymount's only losses for the tournament came at the hands of Mitty and Wilson.

19     (NR)    Naperville North (Naperville, Ill.)    14-1    
The Huskies suffered their first loss of the year at the Wheaton Classic to powerhouse No. 3 Benet, 27-25, 25-19. Coach Jennifer Urban's squad defeated Downers Grove South in the third place match. North will play Glenbard North (Carol Stream) and Aurora West (Aurora) this week.

20     (17)    Clear Creek (Houston, Tex.)    25-6    
Hurricane Ike swept through the Houston area and suspended all sports schedules.  The Wildcats will pick up where they left off and play Brazoswood (Clute) on Friday.

21     (12)    Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.)    9-2    
The Mustangs suffered both their first and second losses of the season to Naperville North and Central (Naperville, Ill.) at the Wheaton Classic and earned a fourth place finish at the tournament. South looks to regroup and pocket some "w's this week as it will face Addison Trail (Addison, Ill.) and Rich East (Park Forest, Ill.).

22     (33)    Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii)    10-2    
The Warriors battled through the Durango Classic and pulled the unlucky draw of Los Alamitos in pool play.  Coach Chris Blake's finished second to the Griffins then fell to Marymount in the Qualifying Round in a close three set match, 25-22, 26-28, 25-20.  Those would be the only losses for the Warriors, as they went on to win the rest of their matches and took home a ninth place and Silver Division Championship.

23     (NR)    Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)    8-1    
The Lancers stole the show at the Dave Mohs Tournament, also known as the Orange County Championships, with a first place finish over Dos Pueblos (Goleta).

24     (34)    Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati, Ohio)    7-1    
The Bobcats conquered Seton (Cincinnati) and Coffman (Dublin) last week.  The Lady Bobcats have just one loss to this season at the hands of Ursuline and this week will have an opportunity to avenge it. McAuley (Cincinnati) is also on the schedule this week.

25     (NR)    Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.)        
Dos Pueblos downed Newport Harbor as it advanced to the finals of the Dave Mohs, but could not charge past Orange Lutheran, 25-17, 25-18.

26     (30)    Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.)    5-1    
The Blues stay the favorite color in Kansas as they picked up three wins last week over West (Topeks, Kan.), Junction City (Kan.), and Shawnee Heights (Tecumseh, Kan.). They remain at the No. 1 spot in the Kansas Volleyball Association 6A poll.

27     (NR)    Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)    9-4    
Although the Eagles posted four losses this season, three came at the hands of FAB 50 ranked teams.  Santa Margarita's play at the Durango Classic forced teams to take notice.

28     (NR)    Blue Springs (Blue Springs, Mo.)    11-1    
The Jaguars took care of cross-town rival Blue Springs South (25-11, 25-14) in a Suburban Big Seven win. Coach Katie Grusing's squad took home the title at the Lee's Summit West Missouri/Kansas Invite as they defeated St.Thomas Aquinas, Bishop Miege and Lee's Summit West and proved they are the top cat in the Metro Top Ten.

29     (NR)    Shakopee (Minn.)    15-1    
The Sabers beat top ranked Chaska in the finals of the Apple Valley Eagle Invite this weekend (25-14, 25-15). Their only loss this year is to Lakeville North (Lakeville) and their upcoming matches this week are to Minnetonka and Redwing.

30     (24)    Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)    9-4    
The Sailors warmed up with non-league wins over Great Oak (Temecula), Palos Verdes Peninsula (Rolling Hills Estates) Canyon (Anaheim), Carlsbad (Carlsbad), San Clemente, and Woodbridge (Irvine) at the Dave Mohs tournament in Orange County, Calif. Dos Pueblos (Goleta) knocked the Sailors out of a trip to the championship match as the Sailors finished the tournament 5-1 on the tournament.

31     (NR)    Olmstead Falls (Olmstead Falls, Ohio)    14-0    
The Bulldogs remained undefeated in the Southwestern League with two big wins last week over North Olmsted and Midpark (Middleburg Heights).  Up next week for the Dogs Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Broadview Heights,) and Steele (Amherst).

32     (16)    Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.)    14-0    
The Crusaders picked up a win over Durham School of the Arts in three quick.  Coach Jim Freeman's squad will face Raleigh Charter (Raleigh), Cedar Ridge (Hillsborough) and Northwest Guilford (Greensboro) next.

33     (32)    Lake Highlands (Dallas, Tex.)    28-3    
The Wildcats scratched out a couple more wins over 5A District 9 opponents Sunset (Dallas) and Berkner (Richardson). Richardson and Creekview (Carrollton) are next for the Lady Wildcats.

34     (39)    Elkhart Memorial  (Elkhart, Ind.)    18-0    
The Chargers continued to dominate the Northern Lakes Conference as they have not dropped a league match since 2001. Their NLC streak is now at 56 wins. A close win over Northwood (Nappanee, Ind.)  23-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 16-14 came down in Elkhart's favor. After a big tournament win this past weekend at the Lafayette Jefferson Invitational the Chargers face Plymouth this week.

35      (NR)  Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, Calif.)    10-1    
The Dons dropped only one on the year so far to Orange Lutheran as the Lancers were en route to the Dave Mohs tournament championship.

36     (1)    Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.)    9-3    
After the previously No. 1 ranked Lancers lost their new starting middle to an ankle sprain in pool play at the Durango Classic.  The jostled lineup did not quite gel the next day as Coach Mike Wadley's squad faced a 25-23, 23-25, 25-14 defeat to previously unranked Liberty (Bakersfield, Calif.). The Lancers began to show chinks in the armor before the team ever traveled to Las Vegas.  In the Gahr Tournament championship, big hitting Los Alamitos bested Lakewood 25-22, 26-24, 25-23.

37     (29)    Chaska (Chaska, Minn.)    12-1    
The Hawks continued their dominance of the Lake Conference, but met up with Shakopee (Minn.) in the finals of the Apple Valley Eagle Invite where they lost 25-14, 25-15. Chaska remained No. 2 in the Class 3A rankings.

38     (22)    Mead (Spokane, Wash.)    3-0    
The Panthers defeated Spokane teams Rogers (25-8, 25-10, 25-6) and Ferris (25-10, 25-13, 25-15).

39     (28)    Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit, Mo.)    10-1    
The Titans chalked up two more wins last week against Fort Osage (Independence) and North Kansas City (Kansas City, Mo.). They continued their stint at the No. 2 spot in the Metro Top Ten Poll. This week they will face cross-town rival Lee's Summit North and Notre Dame de Sion (Kansas City, Mo.) before they go to the Blue Springs South Invitational.

40     (35)    Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Kent.)    6-2    
The Valkyries suffered a loss to previously ranked Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), their first to an unranked team.  They face Seneca (Louisville, Ky.) Providence (Clarksville, Ind.) this week.

41    (48)    Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.)    5-3    
The Wolverines chalked up both a win and a loss this season to Dos Pueblos.  HW faces Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) this week before it begins Mission League play next week.

42    (NR)  Grand Island (Grand Island, Neb.)    12-1    
The Islanders suffered their first loss of the year to powerhouse Papillion in the
Lincoln Public Schools Classic at Lincoln Southeast.  This week they will face Columbus and North Star (Lincoln).

43     (41)    Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.)     9-2    
The Stags had two wins this week over Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park) and Northwest (Olathe). This week they face Blue Valley (Stillwell).

44     (42)    Delta (Muncie, Ind.)    14-4    
The Eagles had two wins last week over New Palestine and Wes-Del (Gaston) . This week they will face the best in the state No. 12 Muncie Central.

45     (NR)    Berkley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)    10-0    
The Bucs took care of business against rivals Tampa Prep in four this week.  In preparation for their Berkley Premier this weekend, they will face St. Pete Catholic (St. Petersburg, Fla.).

46     (19)    Mount Notre Dame Academy  (Cincinnati, Ohio)    12-2    
The Cougars suffered two losses to Ursuline and Mother of Mercy.  This week they have an opportunity to earn some w's against St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati), Seton (Cincinnati) and Bishop Watterson (Columbus).

47     (21)    Eagle (Idaho)    7-5    
The Mustangs hung tough in pool play of the Durango Classic as they forced previously ranked No. 1 Lakewood to three games, 25-12, 18-25, 25-13.  The second day of the tournament proved more difficult as Eagle dropped the first match of the day to eventual champion La Costa Canyon and from there did not recover well as they dropped the rest of their matches on the day.

48     (36)    Marian (Omaha, Neb.)    13-2    
The young Crusaders put up a good fight against Papillion as they pushed them to three sets at the Lincoln Public Schools Classic at Lincoln Southeast. They face Omaha South (Omaha) this week.

49     (37)    Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.)    17-3    
The Owls bounced back at the Ben Davis Invitational championship over the weekend.

50     (NR)    St. Charles East (St. Charles. Ill.)    15-1    
The Fighting Saints are the team to beat in the Upstate Eight League, with their only loss of the year to Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.). This week the Saints will face cross-town rival St. Charles (North).

Next 25

Listed in alphabetical order:

Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Co.), Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas), Eaglecrest (Centennial, Co.), Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), Hutto (Hutto, Texas), Iolani (Honolulu, Calif.), Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, Calif.), Menlo School (Atherton, Calif.), Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.), Nevada Union (Grass Valley, Calif.), New Castle Chrystler (Newcastle, Ind.), Northview (John's Creek, Ga.), Pope (Murrieta, Ga.), Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Saint Mary's (Stockton, Calif.), South Torrance (Torrance, Calif.), St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill), St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), Torrey Pines (Torrey Pines, Calif.), Vista Murietta (Murrietta, Calif.), Westlake (Austin, Tex.)