If there is one absolute about the Preseason National Rankings it is that the Top 50 is going to change significantly by the time the final rankings are released in November. One important component to compiling the initial Top 50 of the season is making sure whichever team is anointed the top spot is going to play a schedule worthy of a national champion should that program run the table and go undefeated.

We saw that two seasons ago when Cathedral Catholic CA started at No. 1 and wound up going undefeated. Along the way Cathedral Catholic captured both the Durango Fall Classic title and the CA Open Division state championship. Last season’s national champion Mater Dei CA didn’t start at No. 1 and didn’t finish undefeated. However, Mater Dei did capture two major tournament titles in Volleypalooza and Durango, as well as the CA Open division state crown, making Mater Dei worthy of finishing at No. 1.

That brings us to this year and the team beginning at No. 1 in Grand Oaks TX, which captured last year’s 6A state title. Though Grand Oaks isn’t scheduled to play outside the state of Texas, the Grizzlies are set to face a challenging slate. Given the depth and strength of schools in Texas, should Grand Oaks be able to navigate its tournament schedule — which includes Volleypalooza — and then repeat as 6A state champs, there’s little doubt that is a national championship campaign.

Of course, Grand Oaks faces longs odds and it’s more likely than not that we’ll see another team finish the year at No. 1. There are plenty of potential candidates, including familiar ones like Mater Dei, Mira Costa CA and Prestonwood Christian TX. Others to keep close watch on are Notre Dame Academy KY and Dripping Springs TX.

The season officially gets started this week with tournaments throughout Texas, as well as the Ann Kang Invitational hosted by ‘Iolani taking place in Honolulu. We’ll wait a few weeks before updating our rankings, with the next set released in early September. From there, we’ll have weekly releases for the rest of the season. You can view the full Preseason Rankings below.

VBALLRECRUITER HIGH SCHOOL TOP 50 NATIONAL RANKINGS

1. Grand Oaks TX

2. Mater Dei CA

3. Prestonwood Christian TX

4. Mira Costa CA

5. Notre Dame Academy KY

6. Benet Academy IL

7. Sierra Canyon CA

8. Dripping Springs TX

9. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI

10. Blue Valley North KS

***

11. Carrollwood Day FL

12. Hamilton Southeastern IN

13. Cathedral Catholic CA

14. Byron Nelson TX

15. Assumption KY

16. Cornerstone Christian TX

17. Mill Valley KS

18. Marist IL

19. Archbishop Mitty CA

20. O’Connor AZ

***

21. Mount Notre Dame OH

22. Lovejoy TX

23. St. James Academy KS

24. Lafayette MO

25. Mercy MI

26. Plant FL

27. Southlake Carroll TX

28. Papillion-La Vista South NE

29. St. Thomas Aquinas KS

30. Casteel AZ

***

31. Harlan TX

32. Winter Park FL

33. Roncalli IN

34. Lone Peak UT

35. Cinco Ranch TX

36. Xavier Prep AZ

37. Skutt Catholic NE

38. St. Ursula Academy OH

39. Mother McAuley IL

40. ‘Iolani HI

***

41. Ankeny Centennial IA

42. Reagan NC

43. Wayzata MN

44. Oconomowoc WI

45. Bishop Gorman NV

46. Marymount CA

47. St. Pius X MO

48. Pace Academy GA

49. Kamehameha HI

50. Cleveland TN

***

ON THE CUSP

Alpharetta GA

Ankeny IA

Berkeley Prep FL

Branson CA

Center Grove IN

Dike-New Hartford IA

Doral Academy FL

Dowling Catholic IA

Flint Hill VA

Green Hope NC

Keller TX

Lake Highland Prep FL

Marian MI

McKinney Boyd TX

Millennium AZ

Norris NE

Northville MI

Oaks Christian CA

Omaha Westside NE

Pope GA

Prosper TX

Reagan TX

Redondo Union CA

Seaman KS

Seton OH

Skyridge UT

Skyview ID

St. Thomas Aquinas FL

Torrey Pines CA

Valor Christian CO

Yorktown IN