Highschool women volleyball is again within the Bay Space, and an intriguing season lies forward.
Contemporary off a NorCal Open Division championship, Archbishop Mitty begins the brand new yr because the presumptive prime workforce within the Bay underneath new coach Jake Spain.
Spain, the previous coach at powerhouse Marin Catholic, will get the chance to teach senior hitter Makenna Crosson, who was ranked because the No. 8 Class of 2026 participant within the nation when she dedicated to Minnesota final summer season.
“After graduating eight seniors last year, how do we look this year?” Spain informed the Bay Space Information Group. “Makenna’s going to the No. 14 workforce within the nation. Chayce Courtney returns after being the one freshman chosen first-team all-league.”
The Monarchs must exchange departed senior hitter Izzy Romero, who’s now at UC Irvine. However the cabinet isn’t naked for the two-time defending NorCal Open champs.
Who might rise as much as problem Mitty? St. Francis had run final season, swiping the Central Coast Part Open Division championship when St. Ignatius rallied from two units all the way down to stun the Monarchs within the semifinals.
SI must be a contender once more regardless of dropping impression senior hitter Carol Manu.
On the east aspect of the Bay, might a workforce like James Logan or Foothill shock?
With the competitors already began and entering into full swing this week, the solutions is perhaps coming quickly.
Right here’s how the highest groups within the Bay Space Information Group’s protection space stack up:
Bay Space Information Group women volleyball Prime 15
(Mercury Information & East Bay Instances)
No. 1 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 1
Crew overview: Regardless of dropping near-double digit seniors, Mitty is stacked with expertise as soon as once more. Crosson will step into a brand new function as a senior captain, whereas hitter Courtney will look to take one other step after a stellar freshman yr. Senior proper aspect Ellie Diehl Palmer and center Katelyn Sentous can even be impression gamers for the Monarchs.
Up subsequent: Saturday vs. Marin Catholic, 8 a.m.
No. 2 ST. FRANCIS (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 2
Crew overview: St. Francis gave Mitty a fairly good run for its cash final yr, however the Lancers had been hit laborious by commencement. Seniors Jaemysen Martin, Grace Gowdy and Cassidy Pietsch had been key cogs and must get replaced by new senior captains Ella Fulton (hitter), Noe Vanacht (libero/defensive specialist) and Riley Barulich (setter). The Lancers must make do with out senior Syriana Messy, who transferred to elite Southern California program Mater Dei-Santa Ana. It wasn’t an issue within the season opener, as St. Francis swept Los Gatos.
Up subsequent: Wednesday at Redwood, 7 p.m.
No. 3 JAMES LOGAN (2-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 5
Crew overview: Logan, a singular pressure within the Mission Valley Athletic League, is already off to a powerful begin because the Colts swept Foothill and North Bay energy Redwood in nonleague play. Seniors McKenzie Anderson (OH/L), Leann Jung (S) and Emma Tran (L/OH) will attempt to extend Logan’s two-year MVAL win streak whereas positioning the Colts to make a run at part and regional titles.
Up subsequent: Thursday at San Ramon Valley, 6 p.m.
No. 4 ST. IGNATIUS (0-1)
Remaining 2024 rating: 3
Crew overview: It’s laborious to name SI a sleeper workforce. The Wildcats reached the CCS Open title recreation and NorCal Open semis a yr in the past. However there are indications this yr’s workforce could possibly be even higher. After seizing the setting function within the playoffs and main the comeback in opposition to Mitty, sophomore Gia McManigal will attempt to unfold the ball round and guarantee SI takes the subsequent step. The Cats will probably be led by three captains – seniors Lauren Nip (L) and Boyd Killion (OH) and junior MB Eileen Pfeffer. SI began off its season with a four-set loss to Marin Catholic.
Up subsequent: Sept. 9 vs. Redwood, 6:30 p.m.
No. 5 FOOTHILL (0-2)
Remaining 2024 rating: 4
Crew overview: Foothill took a number of losses to sturdy competitors (Logan and Branson) to start out the season. However the Falcons, who gained the NorCal Division I title final season, must be formidable as soon as once more. Foothill will lean on seniors Olivia So (L/DS), Brooke Stedman (S/RS/MB) and Paige Nelson (S/OPP) to seek out success this season.
Up subsequent: Wednesday at Campolindo, 6:30 p.m.
No. 6 CAMPOLINDO (4-2)
Remaining 2024 rating: 6
Crew overview: Campo had a powerful and considerably stunning run to the NorCal Division I semifinals as a tenth seed and can attempt to construct upon that thrilling stretch. The Cougars are led by 5 seniors – Sierra Worster, Evey Uziel, Mia Walloch, Ava Rogers and Cassidy Woo.
Up subsequent: Wednesday vs. Foothill, 6:30 p.m.
No. 7 SAN RAMON VALLEY (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 7
Crew overview: SRV comes off a CIF Division II state championship win over Centennial-Bakersfield and must be top-of-the-line groups within the East Bay as soon as once more. The Wolves graduated 9 seniors however return “loads of expertise,” coach Brian Fujinaga informed BANG. Senior MH Jenna Hunt is a Fordham commit and fourth-year varsity participant. Senior OH Hope Diekmann is predicted to play all six rotations after taking part in principally as a defensive specialist final season. Junior MH Rachel Richardson is a Montana State commit who’s creating right into a well-rounded offensive risk. Junior S Anuu Purev-Thompson, freshman OH Fia So’oto and sophomore OH Colbie Albright are gamers to observe.
Up subsequent: Wednesday at Marin Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
No. 8 MENLO-ATHERTON (1-1)
Remaining 2024 rating: 11
Crew overview: M-A was one of many higher groups on the Peninsula final season, dropping within the NorCal Division I Spherical of 16 to Clovis in 4 units. The Bears are led by six seniors – DS Tamara Rubinsky, L Kylie Winters, OPP Ruby Stone, OH Jocelyn Chang, MB Lily Jacobi and MB Kayla Greenbaum.
Up subsequent: Tuesday vs. Menlo College, 6:30 p.m.
No. 9 MERCY (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 10
Crew overview: Mercy was equally aggressive on the Peninsula as the perfect workforce within the West Bay Athletic League’s Foothill Division, dropping within the NorCal Division I Spherical of 16 to Folsom in 5 units. The Bears have an early sweep over Hillsdale this yr.
Up subsequent: Tuesday at Courageous Christian, 6:30 p.m.
No. 10 PALO ALTO (0-1)
Remaining 2024 rating: 8
Crew overview: Perennially sturdy Palo Alto, which hosts the CCS championships, superior to the NorCal Division I quarterfinals final season, the place the Vikings had been swept by Folsom. This yr, the Vikings began off with a five-set loss to M-A. Paly will look to seniors Sophia McGrath, Reese Japic, Marley Shumaker, Sophia Hill, Cecilia De Feo and Emily Mulkey to cleared the path this yr.
Up subsequent: Tuesday vs. Gunn, 6:45 p.m.
No. 11 CARONDELET (1-1)
Remaining 2024 rating: 12
Crew overview: Carondelet, which discovered success within the East Bay Athletic League final season, was swept out of the NorCal Division I Spherical of 16 by Campolindo. The Cougars went 11-2 in league play, ending in a three-way tie with San Ramon Valley and Foothill. Senior MB Kyra Silvestri is a workforce chief, captain and “powerhouse on the court,” Carondelet coach Stephanie Cline mentioned. Junior six-rotation OH Ava Peteghem has a quick arm and “relentless desire to be better every day,” Cline mentioned. The Cougars did lose junior MB Olivia Britton, who transferred to Campolindo, and senior Meena Kasirajan, who just isn’t taking part in volleyball this season. Carondelet was swept by Marin Catholic in its season opener however rebounded to comb Las Lomas.
Up subsequent: Tuesday at Tamalpais, 6:30 p.m.
No. 12 VALLEY CHRISTIAN (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 14
Crew overview: Like many groups, Valley Christian had yr however struggled in opposition to the West Catholic Athletic League Huge Three, going a mixed 0–7 in opposition to Mitty, St. Francis and SI. The Warriors nonetheless made it to the NorCal Division II Spherical of 16, the place they misplaced to Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in 5 units. VC began off the yr with a sweep of Carlmont (25-19, 27-25, 25-19).
Up subsequent: Thursday at Monterey, 6 p.m.
No. 13 SACRED HEART PREP (0-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 13
Crew overview: SHP had run within the NorCal Division II bracket final season earlier than getting swept by San Ramon Valley within the semifinals. The Gators are led by seniors Peyton Fu-Sarosa, Anabelle Yujuico, Elie Sabo and Poema Ueligitone.
Up subsequent: Tuesday vs. Burlingame, 6:30 p.m.
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No. 14 BURLINGAME (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: 15
Crew overview: Burlingame’s sturdy season led to final yr’s NorCal Division II quarterfinals, the place the Panthers fell to Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in 4 units. “We are returning a big core of our passing and defending positions, so we are excited to build on that momentum from last season,” third-year coach Hannah Korslund mentioned. Junior OH Jordan Toomey is a three-year varsity participant who’s a constant attacker on the skin and bettering on serve obtain and protection. Senior L Sam Hollrah returns to anchor the protection. Sophomore OH Ilsa Carlson will step into an even bigger function as an outdoor after getting her toes moist on varsity final yr. Senior MB Ava Scatena is a fourth-year varsity center and constant main hitter. “Looking forward to what she can accomplish both hitting and blocking,” Korslund mentioned. Sophomore Lanie Newman will fill the vacant setter place and had 37 assists in Burlingame’s season-opening win over Mills.
Up subsequent: Tuesday at Sacred Coronary heart Prep, 6:30 p.m.
No. 15 ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN (1-0)
Remaining 2024 rating: Not ranked
Crew overview: Riordan was famous as a workforce to observe by one Bay Space volleyball coach, and the Crusaders are off to begin this yr with a dominant sweep of Terra Nova (25-2, 25-4, 25-19). Riordan can have its work reduce out within the rugged WCAL, the place the Crusaders completed 3-9 final yr.
Up subsequent: Tuesday at Faculty Prep, 6 p.m.
Editor’s be aware: Groups eligible for the Bay Space Information Group rankings come from leagues based mostly predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The information group’s highschool workers chooses the groups.
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