Valley Christian of San Jose has now gone 1-2 vs. Mitty this year, but remains among the top six rated teams in California. Photo: Norbert von der Groeben/SportStars.
There are very few changes in this week’s pecking order, but it may be the calm before the storm as section playoffs begin throughout the state. Back in the mix are new No. 14 Orange Lutheran and new No. 17 La Costa Canyon.
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Note: This week’s rankings do not include any results from Tuesday, Nov. 12.
CalHiSports.com Top 20
State Girls Volleyball Rankings
(Previous ranking in parentheses; through reported results of Monday night, Nov. 11)
1. (1) Granite Bay 37-0
The Grizzlies are the top seed in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I bracket. Defending NorCal champ St. Francis of Sacramento (30-7) is the No. 2 seed and would be in the top 25 if we were going deeper than 20.
2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 32-4
After bringing home the bacon as the Santa Barbara TOC champions two weeks ago, the Monarchs added to the sizzle by winning another West Catholic Athletic League playoff title. In the championship match, they defeated rival Valley Christian for the second time in five days, each by a 3-1 score. Senior setter Kelsey Crawford had 41 sets, 12 digs, six kills and two blocks, and sophomore 5-foot-10 outside hitter Julia Chizanskos had team highs of 11 kills and 17 digs. In addition to winning the title in Santa Barbara, the Monarchs also avenged their recent league loss to Valley Christian with a win over the Warriors in the semifinals.
3. (3) Torrey Pines (San Diego) 29-3
The CIF San Diego Section has an open division for volleyball for the first time (in fact, it’s the first open division in volleyball of any kind in state history) and the Falcons are the No. 1 seed.
4. (4) Los Alamitos 27-5
Orange County’s No. 1 team, as expected, also snagged the top seed in the CIF Southern Section Division IAA playoffs, which is the most competitive bracket in the nation.
5. (6) Redondo (Redondo Beach) 28-5
As Marymount transfer Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani has gotten mixed into the lineup better after a 30-day waiting period, the Sea Hawks have gotten better and better. They are the No. 2 seed in the CIFSS D1AA playoffs.
6. (5) Valley Christian (San Jose) 28-7
It’s just a one-spot slip behind Redondo for the Warriors after their second loss to Mitty in five days. They still look like the D3 state title favorites and are the top seed in the CCS in D3.
7. (7) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 23-5
Our state rankings continue to match the CIFSS seedings here as the Sea Kings are No. 3 in the CIFSS D1AA bracket behind Los Alamitos and Redondo.
8. (8) Lakewood 25-5
The Lancers were 12-0 in the Moore League, including sweeps of both Long Beach Wilson and Long Beach Poly.
9. (9) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 29-5
Orange Lutheran went 7-1 in the Trinity League and is ranked higher in Orange County, but we think the Monarchs’ showings in tourney play was more impressive.
10. (10) Santiago (Corona) 33-0
This is the top team from the CIFSS Division IIAA bracket. It’s hard to not see the Sharks winning in that division and then we’ll see where they go for the SoCal regional playoffs.
11. (11) La Salle (Pasadena) 28-5
The Lancers are the top seed in the CIFSS Division IA bracket.
12. (12) Dana Hills (Dana Point) 22-6
The Dolphins should be yet another team to watch in the CIFSS Division IAA playoffs.
13. (13) Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) 21-8
A loss last week to No. 5 Redondo doesn’t drop the Mustangs at all. Their recent win over No. 3 Torrey Pines shows they are ready for the postseason.
14. (NR) Lutheran (Orange) 21-8
Based on winning the Trinity League title, the Lancers have what it takes to climb back up into the top 15.
15. (15) Scripps Ranch (San Diego) 33-2
This is the best San Diego Section team that is not in the new open division. The Falcons instead are top seed in the SDS Division I playoffs.
16. (19) Branson (Ross) 29-6
After breaking into the state rankings last week, the Bulls are now the top team in the CIF North Coast Section, and why not. After beating Marin County Athletic League archrival Redwood 3-2 two weeks ago to avenge an earlier defeat, the Bulls gored the Giants 3-0 in the playoff championship match last week. Since the 3-1 loss to Redwood in late September, Branson has won 18 straight in league and tournament play, and has outscored opponents 48-2 with Redwood getting both sets.
17. (NR) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 23-8
The Mavericks snagged the No. 2 seed in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division behind No. 1 Torrey Pines.
18. (14) Francis Parker (San Diego) 23-4
We’ll go ahead and match the San Diego seedings for this week’s rankings, which has Parker behind LCC in the No. 3 position.
19. (20) Marymount (Los Angeles) 21-8
The Sailors are still the defending D1 state champs until somebody knocks them out.
20. (16) Redwood (Larkspur) 38-5
The same thing happened to Redwood as happened to Valley Christian. VC won a league match early in the season and then lost the next two just a few days apart. Redwood took a win from Branson in the regular season only to lose the next one and then 11 days later they lost to their league rival again in the MCAL playoff championship game, the same thing that happened last year.
Dropped Out: Previous No. 17 Gregori (Modesto); No. 18 Menlo (Atherton).
For this week’s new San Francisco Bay Area Top 10, CLICK HERE.
Note: We welcome all input about teams not included and the order although we tend not to change it if teams don’t lose. For comments or questions, email markjtennis@gmail.com.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @CalHiSports
