Since releasing our initial Top 50 National HS Rankings in early August, it’s been a whirlwind of action. Though some schools are just getting under way and have only played a few matches, many more have been going at it for weeks. The biggest story to start the season is whether or not we would see Prestonwood Christian TX pull off a repeat of sorts accomplished by Cathedral Catholic CA last season in going wire-to-wire and winning the mythical national championship after putting together an impressive undefeated season.

It didn’t take long to get an answer to that question. Prestonwood lost for the first time in its fifth outing of the season – falling to Boyd TX. Prestonwood has since lost twice more, once to Mater Dei CA in the final of the Volleypalooza tournament and to Decatur TX after that. Prestonwood did hand Grand Oaks TX its only loss on the season so far in the semifinals of Volleypalooza. Prestonwood was scheduled to travel to the Nike TOC Southeast tournament this past weekend but wasn’t able to make the trip because of the hurricane.

Instead, it was Cornerstone Christian TX walking away with the tournament title. Cornerstone’s only loss on the season came to Mira Costa CA in the final of the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii. Mira Costa lost its first match of the season and tournament in falling to Punahou HI before coming back to capture the title. It helped land Mira Costa at the top spot in our updated Top 50. Despite the loss, it’s hard to argue against the quality of victories Mira Costa has put together so far. Not only did the Mustangs top recent Nike TOC Southeast champion Cornerstone, but Mira Costa also swept Volleypalooza champion Mater Dei, plus has victories over Sierra Canyon CA and Marymount CA. With Mira Costa returning to the Durango Fall Classic this year, the Mustangs will have a chance to show they are indeed the best team in the country when the two-day event takes place in three weeks in Las Vegas.

In other happenings, both Mother McAuley IL and Notre Dame Academy KY started this week undefeated and will be participating in this weekend’s Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Other teams off to strong starts as expected are Hamilton Southeastern IN and Divine Savior Holy Angels WI. One surprise so far this season was Archbishop Mitty CA taking down St. Francis/Mountain View CA to break into the Top 50 and land at No. 10 in our latest update. Check out the full Top 50 below.

vballrecruiter.com’S TOP 50 NATIONAL HS RANKINGS

1. Mira Costa CA (4 – previous ranking)

2. Mother McAuley IL (3)

3. Notre Dame Academy KY (5)

4. Papillion-La Vista South NE (9)

5. Cornerstone Christian TX (8)

6. Mater Dei CA (2)

7. St. James Academy KS (6)

8. Torrey Pines CA (26)

9. Prestonwood Christian TX (1)

10. Archbishop Mitty CA (n/r)

***

11. Grand Oaks TX (n/r)

12. Hamilton Southeastern IN (11)

13. Cathedral Catholic CA (7)

14. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI (13)

15. St. Thomas Aquinas KS (14)

16. Carrollwood Day FL (n/r)

17. Wayzata MN (20)

18. Dripping Springs TX (19)

19. Bellmont IN (n/r)

20. O’Connor AZ (n/r)

***

21. St. Francis/Mountain View CA (12)

22. Oconomowoc WI (27)

23. Marist IL (37)

24. Sierra Canyon CA (17)

25. Viera FL (n/r)

26. Corona del Sol AZ (30)

27. Calvary Christian FL (n/r)

28. Redondo Union CA (n/r)

29. Berkeley Prep FL (n/r)

30. Assumption KY (16)

***

31. St. Ursula Academy OH (n/r)

32. Pace Academy GA (n/r)

33. Lafayette MO (34)

34. Marymount CA (18)

35. Lake Catholic OH (n/r)

36. Lone Peak UT (n/r)

37. Pope GA (n/r)

38. Sacred Heart KY (n/r)

39. Los Alamitos CA (n/r)

40. Liberty North MO (32)

***

41. Horizon AZ (37)

42. Byron Nelson TX (38)

43. Punahou HI (n/r)

44. Clearwater Central Catholic FL (42)

45. Millennium AZ (45)

46. Liberty MO (47)

47. Valor Christian CO (n/r)

48. Glenbard West IL (n/r)

49. Skyridge UT (n/r)

50. Mercy McAuley OH (n/r)

***

ON THE CUSP

Mount St. Mary OK

Northville MI

Maple Mountain UT

Flint Hill VA

Plant FL

Hagerty FL

Colleyville Heritage TX

Westminster Christian FL

Yorktown IN

Washburn Rural KS

Prosper TX

Benet Academy IL

Brighton MI

Marian MI

Millbrook NC

Green Level NC

Middle Creek NC

Cardinal Gibbons NC

Green Hope NC

Lovejoy TX

Keller TX

Bishop Gorman NV

Oviedo FL

Venice FL

Ursuline Academy OH

Mount Notre Dame OH

Lake Highland Prep FL

Huntington Beach CA

Perry AZ