ESPN RISE

Which teams should you keep an eye on this fall? Each Wednesday, the ESPN FAB 50 volleyball rankings will be released, tracking the top teams in the country. Check out the preseason rankings.

1. Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.)
Last season's record: 30-7, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section (SS) champions, CIF State Division I champions
Key players: OH/OPP Jazmine Orozco (Jr.), MB/OH Taylor Hollins (Jr.), S/OH Megan Moenoa (So.), L Gaby Pulig (So.), OH Tyler Jackson (So.)
Outlook: Coach Mike Wadley's team became the first Moore League team ever to win a state volleyball title with a defeat of Nevada Union of Grass Valley, Calif., in the CIF Div. I state championship. The championship squad lost two starters to Division I college programs, but return impact players Menoa, Orozco and Hollins, who helped propel the team to the state title. Menoa, named to the 2008 USA Volleyball Junior Olympic championships all-tournament team in the 16-Open Division, is touted as one of the top setters in her class. Hollins was selected the tournament MVP at the 2007 USA J.O. championships in the 15-Open Division and Orozco started on the Youth National Team this summer where she was voted best attacker. Jackson will be filling the shoes of graduated senior Jessica Thomas. Freshman middle blocker Chrissy Tuua will fill a hole brought on by graduation. With a balanced attack and great defense, every team will gun for the Lancers this season.

2. Plant (Tampa, Fla.)
Last season's record: 30-1, Florida High School Athletic Association (FUSAA) 5A state champions
Key players: OH Maddie Martin (Jr.), OH Danielle Erb (Sr.), MH Ariel Ley (Sr.), MH Jordan Dickie (Sr.), S Becca Howard (Jr.)
Outlook: This school was in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 in football and is even higher to start in girls volleyball. After wrapping up its 2007 season with 22 straight wins and repeating as the Florida 5A state champion, six of seven starters have returned. The Panthers also added Berkeley Prep transfer Becca Howard to fill the gap at the setting position. Howard, a Tampa Tribune all-county selection, led Berkeley Prep to a 3A state tournament semifinal appearance with 751 assists, 188 digs and 36 aces on the season. Howard will dish to Penn State commit Martin on the outside with plenty more firepower from Erb, an all-state selection. Coach Leanna Taylor looks to lead her talented squad to a third straight state title that would bring the decade total to six. Plant also will travel to the prestigious NIKE Challenge in Chicago, Ill. to test its skills at the national level.

3. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
Last season's record: 35-4, CIF- Central Coast Section (CCS) Div. II champions, CIF State Div. II finalists
Key players: OH Rachel Williams (Jr.), OH Morgan O'Neill (Sr.), OH Kristina Graven (Jr.), RS Taylor Smith (Sr.)
Outlook: The Monarchs finished the 2007 season first in the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL), first in the CCS, first in the CIF Northern Region but could not pull off the quad as they met undefeated Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) in the CIF state finals. Mitty, thwarted by Mira Costa four straight years, earned its last state title in 2004. Although Mitty lost two-time CCS Player of the Year Amanda Gil and first team All-CCS libero Laney Gera, it returns CCS Sophomore Player of the Year Rachel Williams and the hot-handed outside Graven. Joan Caloiaro and O'Neill, who received second team All-CCS honors, will contribute as well. Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar has his work cut out for him in filling the shoes of Gil and Gera, but he reloads his Northern California perennial powerhouse just about every year.

4. Amarillo (Amarillo, Tex.)
Last season's record: 46-1, University Interscholastic League (UIL) 5A state champions
Key players: M Torri Campbell (Sr.), OH Aryn Bohannon (Sr.)
Outlook: If any coach can can get a team ready to make another run at a state title, it's Amariillo's Jan Barker, who, last season, picked up career win number 700. Amarillo lost senior setter Brianne Barker, but it's all in the family as younger sister Danielle takes the reigns. Senior middle Campbell, a USAV J.O. championship all-tournament selection in the 16-National Division, will use her speed and blocking to help the Sandies in their quest for a third straight state title and number 13 for the school. With Texas teams already exchanging blows this season, Amarillo took one to the jaw from Lake Highlands (Dallas) in the final of the Duncanville Tournament of Champions. The Sandies regrouped and returned the favor in the finals of the Allen tournament, where Campbell picked up MVP honors. The deep talent in the state of Texas makes it anyone's game this year, so Amarillo's championship history makes it a top choice for No. 1 in the state right now.

5. Benet (Lisle, Ill.)
Last season's record: 35-4, Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Great Lakes Region Class 4A champions
Key players: MB/OH Jessica Jendryk (Sr.), OH Arianna Mankus (Sr.), MB Val Mattaliano (Sr.), OH Natalie Patzin (Sr.), L Paige Vargas (Sr.), OH Gina Finke (Jr.)
Outlook: Led by five Div. I college recruits, Jendryk (Illinois), Mankus (West Point), Mattaliano (Boston College), Patzin (Clemson), and Vargas (Dayton), the Redwings have their sights set on the IHSA state title. Six-foot-2 Jendryk, who recently spent 10 days at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships in Tucson, Ariz., and 5-foot-11 Natalie Patzin will provide the firepower for Benet. Six-footer Mattaliano will seal the net in the middle, while Vargas and Brianne Riley will clean up anything that gets past Mattaliano in the back row. This could be the year for Benet to take home its first state title, a lofty goal for a school that does not have even a sectional title to its résumé. Anything is possible in a state where the "pulling of the peas" determines playoff seeding. The Redwings must contend with neighboring Naperville Central, Downers Grove South, and Wheaton St. Francis all witinh a few miles of each other and all standing in each other's way of the state crown. Experience will be a definite plus this year for the Redwings and transfer Brianne Hucek will add another dimension to the lineup.

6. Lake Highlands (Dallas, Tex.)
Last season's record: 39-6, UIL District 9 5-A champions
Key players: OH Tori Mellinger (Sr.), S Angie Morgan (Sr.), DS Paige Benton (Sr.), MH Caroline Henton (Jr.)
Outlook: By beating both Westlake and Amarillo at the Duncanville Tournament of Champions, the Lady Wildcats gave notice to area Texas teams and put their name in the hat for a state title, with the Duncanville tournament champion and state champion often being one in the same. Mellinger earned MVP honors at the tournament as teammate Morgan was chosen for the All-Tournament team. The Wildcats have never won a UIL Texas state championship, unlike perennial powerhouses Amarillo and Austin Westlake, but the Wildcats have nine seniors and a veteran team while Amarillo and Westlake "rebuild." Setter Morgan and outside Mellinger will team up on offense as Mellinger racked up 660 kills last season while Morgan put up 1,372 assists. Lake Highlands' chances of reaching the state finals are good, but nothing will be easy, as Amarillo has already exacted revenge in the finals of the Allen Invitational Tournament for the loss at the Duncanville Tournament.

7. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Last season's record: 37-0, CIFSS Div. II champions, CIF-Southern Region Div. II champions, CIF ctate champions
Key players: OH Falyn Fonoimoana (Jr.), MH Sheridan Taylor (Jr.), S Alyssa Anderson (Jr.)
Outlook: This season has already started the way it ended for the Mustangs, with a championship. Undaunted with the loss of five starters, the squad traveled across the Pacific to play neighboring Long Beach Wilson in the finals of the Ann Kang Invitational hosted by Iolani at Honolulu, Hawaii. The Mustangs graduated five of seven starters who all went on to play at the Div. I college-level, but Mira Costa does not rebuild, it merely reloads with the talent rich players home grown by the beach. Three-year varsity starter Fonoimoana, arguably the best player in the nation and merely a junior, will change positions from opposite to outside this season she will get the ball more often. Anderson trained behind USC bound Kendall Bateman and will lead the offense for the Mustangs. Taylor, at ease with a year as the starting middle on the undefeated team, will be the only other player besides Fonoimoana with starting varsity experience. Despite an inexperienced starting team, the Mustang volleyball program is a perennial Southern California powerhouse that boasts four consecutive CIF state titles, no small feat in the talent rich state.

8. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)
Last season's record: 28-8, CIF San Diego Section Div. I champions, CIF Southern Region finalists
Key players: OH Nikki Chu (Sr.), Katie Fuller (Sr.), OH Natalie Hagglund (Jr.), OH Natalie Loos (Jr.), (M) Lydia Rudnick (Sr.), S Kendall Polan (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mavericks boast four consecutive CIF San Diego Section titles and have an outstanding returning cast who look to make it a fifth. The four-peat San Diego champions have twice been thwarted in their pursuit of the CIF Div. I state crown and both times to the eventual state champion. In 2006, Los Alamitos ended the Mavs' season and in 2007 Lakewood did the same. The squad that was considered young last year now has a lineup of seasoned veterans. Seniors Fuller, Chu and Lydia Rudnick all play together year round with the Encinitas Wave Volleyball Club and earned a bronze at the USAV J.O. Championships in the 17-Open Division. Fuller, a USC commit, earned all-tournament honors in the 17-Open Division at the USA Volleyball J.O. championships. Hagglund and Polan also earned honors at the prestigious tournament in the 16-Open Division.

9. Mercy (Louisville, Ky.)
Last season's record: 38-4, 2007 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Div. 1 state semifinalists
Key players: S Casey Garvey (Sr.), MB Paige Wessel (Sr.), OH Kelsey Anderson (Sr.), L Caitlin Welch (Jr.), OH Madison Hardy (Jr.)
Outlook: The Jags had a great season in the Louisville hotbed until they ran into senior-laden Assumption at the state semifinals. This season, Mercy will be content to be queens of the Bluegrass State backed by seniors Casey Garvey (Samford), Paige Wessel (Western Kentucky), Kelsey Anderson (Alabama) and juniors Caitlin Welch (University of Louisville) and Madison Hardy. The Jags have the goods this year with strong setting, serve receive and a quick offensive attack. With Assumption (Louisville) rebuilding this year, this veteran team is hungry for a state championship.

10. Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.)
Last season's record: 38-4, IHSA Class 4A state champions
Key players: OH Megan Bray (Sr.), OH Emily McGee (Sr.), MB Nicole Sarby (Jr.), MB Nicole Ramey (Jr.), L Jill Fields (Sr.), DS Chelsea Thurbly (Sr.)
Outlook: The Redhawks battled through the beginning of the 2007 season with losses to Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North, but transformed their season after an injury to starting setter Megan McMahon and stormed to a state title with 23 straight victories. Coach Brie Isaacson graduated three starters from last year's team and will look to returning outside hitters Bray and McGee for firepower on the outside. The state of Illinois looks tough this year with other perennial Midwest powerhouses like Benet and Downers Grove South gaining momentum from strong finishes in 2007.

11. Ursuline (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Last season's record: 19-8, Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Div. I regional finalists
Key players: MB Katie Schings (Sr.), OH Jade Henderson (Sr.), S Dani Reinert (Jr.), L Kori Moster (So.), OH Chelsea Sensibaugh (Sr.), OH Holly Gottschall (Sr.)
Outlook: The Lions graduated six seniors last year, including All-Ohio First Team Brooke Mayer, but all signs point to them as the team to beat this year in Cincinnati. Loaded with talent, including six-foot middle blocker Schings and outside hitter Henderson, the Lions hope to avenge last year's tough five game loss to Mount Notre Dame in the OHSAA Division I regional final. Ursuline has depth in the outside position and has a setter, Reinert, who can dish. Provided the team's passing is consistent, she will get her hitters the ball.

12. Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.)
Last season's record: 37-3, Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Class 2A state champions
Key players: S/OH Allyson Morey (Jr.), S/MB Mia Tabberson (Sr.), OH Taylor Unroe (Jr.), MB Gerri Black (Sr.)
Outlook: Dominating program enters the year as 12-time defending state champs. The 2007 crown also marked the 19th in overall school history. The domination should continue this year with Coach Dave Shonell's trademark ball control teams and the fire power provided by Tabberson and Unroe. Unroe, pursued by University of Florida, and Tabberson, pursued by University of Minnesota, are arguably the two best players in the state. A 5-1 offense out of the middle will be interesting to see this year, as Burris traditionally runs the 6-2 offense. Coach Shonnell needed to improvise this season after an injury to Morey left a hole in the two-setter system.

13. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
Last season's record: 40-3, Kentucky High School Sports Association (KHSSA) Div. I state champions
Key players: OH Whitney Craven (Sr.), OPP/MB Emily Hayden (Sr.), DS Sarah Rogers (Sr.), DS Stephanie Klefot (Sr.), MB Jeni Houser (So.), OH Claire Gerwig (So.)
Outlook: In 2007, coach Ron Kordes led the Rockets to their 14th KHSSA state championship. Assumption lost seven seniors from last year's squad, including big time banger Kaitlynn James. With the overflowing KIVA pipeline feeding their system, the Rockets will look to Craven, Hayden, Rogers, Klefot, Houser and Gerwig to step up. Crosstown rivals Mercy, Sacred Heart and Notre Dame Academy will give the Rockets a run for their money this season. Assumption will be strong in each position, but will lack experience.

14. Reagan (San Antonio, Tex.)
Last season's record: 37-4, UIL Region 4, 5A finalist
Key players: OH Amber Tatsch (Sr.), OH Preslie Alexander (Jr.), Monica Gamboa
Outlook: Texas, always one of the first states to begin its season, started off with a bang. Top teams from around the state have already traded blows and all have somehow come out with a win and a loss against the other. The Rattlers defeated Churchill (San Antonio), then lost to Round Rock Westlake after losing starting middle Lindsay Hill to injury. The squad regrouped and beat Austin Westlake at home in a decisive four-game victory without Hill. Needless to say, the teams in Texas will beat each other up all season. Tatsch and Alexander received an All-Tournament selection from the Round Rock tournament and will be relied on heavily. Coach Mike Carter has been Reagan's only head volleyball coach since the inception of the program into the UIL in 1999. The Rattlers have been at the doorstep of a state championship for the last two seasons and possess the potential to reach their goal this year.

15. Papillion La Vista (Papillion, Neb.)
Last season's record: 37-6, Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), Class A champion
Key players: OH Gina Mancuso (Sr.), Chelsey Feekin (Sr.), Chelsea Albers (Jr.)
Outlook: The Monarchs return five starters from their 2007 NSAA Class A championship squad, including three all state players. Mancuso, who competed with USA Volleyball's Junior National Team and recently verbally committed to Nebraska, will lead the charge to repeat as Class A champions. The potent offense boasts four starters at six-feet or taller and head coach J.J. Tockzek looks to utilize that en route to the state final.

16. Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.)
Last season's record: 31-2, North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Class AA state champions
Key players: S/OH Madison Bugg (Fr.), L Cayla Shortley (Sr.) S Molly Krull (Sr.), MH Michelle Nemesi (Sr.), OH/MB Michelle Fadool (Jr.)
Outlook: The Crusaders will feel the loss of the two Katies this season, (Camp to UCLA and Kabbes to Penn State), but will reload to challenge for their 11th consecutive appearance in the state finals and a fourth consecutive state title. The Cardinal Gibbons' volleyball program has legendary status with a winning percentage of .923 over 10 years, 10 straight conference championships and an NCHSAA record of three consecutive state titles. Coach Jim Freeman's squad has already started defense of their state title, with a Great Eight tournament championship where it defeated Starmount (Boonville) in a rematch of the 2007 NCHSAA 2A state championship. Krull and Bugg were named to the all-tournament team.

17. Westlake (Austin, Tex.)
Last season's record: 42-2, (UIL) Texas 5A finalists
Key players: MH Sara Shaw (So.), MH Ally Miller (Sr.), S Elly Barrett (Jr.), OH Abby Howden (Sr.).
Outlook: Coach Al Bennett looks to shape a young team that lost 11 seniors from a state finalist team last season. The Chaparrals understand winning, so they may be down to start the season, but not out. The offense is in the capable hands of Barrett, who has a laundry list of MVP honors that include the Pearland Tournament, Duncanville Tournament  Best Setter, All-State selection, and Player of the Year honors for Central Texas. Barrett's best setter distinction falls right in line with Shaw, who received all-tournament honors at the Pearland and Duncanville Tournaments and was named Most Valuable Hitter in District 25-5A. As the team matures, look for the Chaparrals to make a run this season.

18. Long Beach Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)
Last season's record: 20-11, CIF Southern Section Division I AA championship finalists
Key players: S Kellie Woolever (Jr.), OH Kellie Culbertson (Jr.), OH Deveney Pula (Jr.), Rebecca Strehlow (Fr.), OH Janisa Johnson (Sr.), and MB/RS Amanda Pacheco (Sr.)
Outlook: A young squad from last year gained valuable experience as it advanced to the CIFSS Div. I-AA championship tournament. Although the squad lost to Newport Harbor in the second round, the Bruins lost just two seniors, and has more experience this season. With junior setting sensation Woolever and key contributors, Culbertson, Pula, Johnson, and Pacheco, the Bruins are a definite threat. Incoming freshman Strehlow, an accomplished youth beach player who also played at Long Beach Mizuno Club, could contribute immediately. Backed by a great setting staff, the Bruins have a deep bench of talent, which will allow an interchangeable starting lineup all season. Wilson already played Mira Costa tough at the Ann Kang Invitational and pushed the Mustangs to three games (in a best of three format).

19. Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.)
Last year's record: 30-7, IHSA 4A Nequa Valley regional champs, sectional finalists
Key players: S Colleen Dobry (Sr.), OH/L Courtney Gosewisch (Sr.), OH Katherine Gosewisch (Sr.), L Stephanie Barbiarz (Sr.), OH Christine Bowe (Sr.), MB/OH/S Marielle Ostermeyer (Sr.), OH/MB Kelsey Safranek (Sr.), MB Jessica McNellis (Sr.)
Outlook: With 10 of 12 returning from last year's squad, the Mustangs have experience on their side this year. After losing last season to 4A state champions, Naperville Central, the team will rely on team chemistry and Gosewisch (Purdue), Oestermeyer (Ole Miss), Safranek (Illinois-Chicago) and McNellis (Bradley) to lead the way. Team camaraderie will be easy for the Mustangs as most of the girls have been playing together since they were freshmen. Look for Benet, Naperville Central and St. Francis to give the Mustangs a run this season.

20. Eagle (Idaho)
Last season's record: 34-2, Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) 5A state champions
Key players: OH Morgan Odale (Jr.), S Mckenzie Odale (Sr.), S Malia Bird (Sr.), L Lauren Smith (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs lost 6-foot-4 middle Brittany Hewitt to Hawaii and this season will rely on the Odale sisters, Bird and Smith. Both spent time at the High Performance championships with USA Volleyball's Pipeline teams in Tucson, Ariz. With two young middles from the junior varsity squad, Summer Mitchell and Logan Moffat, the Eagles will work to improve their blocking scheme to compete for another state title. Coach Paul Schwager must have confidence in his team's ability to contend at the national level as he scheduled the Durango Fall Classic to test the Mustangs' skills against the best in the nation.

21. Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)
Last season's record: 35-8, IHSA Class 4A state finalists
Key players: OH Kelly Griffin (Sr.), DS Sue Hayes (Sr.), DS Allie Gardner (Sr.), MB Jess Galotta (Jr.), OH Jess Falk (Jr.), S Des Aramburu (Sr.) and RS Catherine Wildner (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mighty Macs finished 2007 as the IHSA Class 4A ttate tournament runnerup, as they lost to Naperville Central in the state finals. This year they have six returning starters in Griffin (Western Michigan), Hayes (Northern Illinois), Gardner, Galotta, Falk, Aramburu and Wildner. With a tough Class 4A ahead of them, the Mighty Macs could meet a strong team in the first round of the unseeded state tournament.

22. Mead (Spokane, Wash.)
Last season's record: 21-0, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Div. 4A state champions
Key players: MH Alexis Olgard (Jr.), OH Erica Norris (Sr.) OH Kylie McClusky (Sr.)
Outlook: The five-time defending state champions are the best and only show in town and will keep the pipeline going through 2008. Although the squad lost seven players from its 4A state title team, the program carries five squads that feed into the varsity team. With backups at every position, the Panthers will have 6-foot-5 Olgard to get it done in the middle with Norris and McClusky cleaning up on the outside.

23. Delta (Muncie, Ind.)
Last season's record: (27-8), Class 3A regionals
Key players: OH Darcy Dorton (Sr.), OH Emily Marsh (Sr.), Megan Foster (Sr.), RS Morgan Hahn (Jr.), S/RS Kaitlin Walton (Jr.)
Outlook: The Eagles have their sites on a state championship this year. New head coach Heidi Zickgraf feels they can be competitive with anyone this season, based on their physicality. The Eagles will be led by one of the nation's top recruits in Dorton (Penn State), who will be an offensive force at the net. Zickgraf is confident in the offensive firepower and wants to be sure the defense and passing is just as solid, especially with a freshman setter at the helm this year.

24. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Last season's record: 27-4, CIF-Southern Section Div. I AA semifinalists
Key players: OH Mary Buckingham (Sr.), L Carly Cotton (Sr.) MH Jennifer Palmquist (Sr.)
Outlook: Misty May-Treanor's alma mater gave the 2007 undefeated Mira Costa team a run for its money in the semifinals of the CIFSS and forced the eventual state champions to five games. The Sailors welcome back eight players, including three-year varsity player Buckingham. The beach school has height at the middle position with three returning middles, all six-foot or above, including the 6-foot-2 Palmquist. Coach Dan Glenn's teams are always talented and well prepared so this mostly upperclassman squad can contend with the best this year.

25. Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)
Last season's record: 31-0, Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Class 5A champions
Key players: M Erica Denney (Jr.), OH Sarah Van Goethem (Sr.)
Outlook: The Wolves are the reigning CHSAA Class 5A ctate champion and own the title three of the last four years. Coach Patty Childress' teams also have five straight Class 5A championship match appearances. This year's team will rely on 6-foot-4 Denney, who was selected to the Youth National Team to get back to the big dance. The uncommitted junior traveled to Puerto Rico with the USA Volleyball team this summer where the Americans won gold at the NORCECA Girls Youth Continental Championships.

26. Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kan.)
Last season's record: 40-5, Kansas State High School Activities Association (KHSAA) Class 6A state champions
Outlook: The Junior Blues hope to defend their back-to-back 6A state championship title this year. Led by seniors Shannon Majors and Ashley Yoder, Washburn's goal is to make it back to the state tournament for the 18th time in its program's history.

27. Northview (John's Creek, Ga.)
Last season's record: 41-7, Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 5A state champions
Outlook: Georgia's 2007 state champs will test the waters at the Berkley Premier Tournament in Tampa and the Chile's tourney in Tallahassee. Northview has a solid lineup of strong and quick players, led by OH Ashley Veach (Sr.), but has to fill holes with inexperienced players.

28. Plano West (Plano, Tex.)
Last season's record: 34-9, UIL state semifinalist
Outlook: Four starters are back from 2007 squad. Coach Brittany Bridge will look to 6-foot-2 LSU commit Madie Jones to take over offensively. Setter Megan Murphy, a 5-11 Rice commit, could break another school record as she has 1,699 career assists, just 117 shy of the mark.

29. St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Last season's record: 28-7, CIF CCS Div. II Finalists, CIF Northern Region Div. II finalist
Outlook: The Lancers have kept pace in the WCAL and the CCS right behind Archbishop Mitty, not the luckiest place to be. Coach Kim Oden's squad has had all the tools but not enough to overcome Mitty's powerhouse status the last five years. Middle blocker Alexandra Freschet will be relied upon to seal off the net and bring the heat on offense. Junior outside Jordan Shaw, daughter of former Stanford men's and women's volleyball coach Don Shaw, will also contribute to the cause. Without Amanda Gil at Mitty, the Lancers may match up better against their nemesis.

30. Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit, Mo. )
Last season's record: 37-1, Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 4A state champions
Outlook: The Titans have potential to repeat as state champions this year, if they can regroup without Allie Huffman., the graduated Gatorade State Player of the Year. Control of the defensive end will also aid the Titans' quest to repeat. OH/S Kattier Harris (Sr.) is top player to watch.

31. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Last season's record: 30-6, CIF SS Div. II AA Semifinalists
Outlook: The Sea Kings placed a respectable fourth at the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii and return eight varsity players from last year. OH Jenny Martin (5-10) and MH Conley Kipp (6-4) along with juniors 5-foot-11 outside hitter Amanda Nickel (5-11) and 6-0 Sydney Brombal make up an intimidating front line.

32. Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.)
Last season's record: 30-6, CIFSS Div. I AA quarterfinalists
Outlook: The Griffins made it to the CIF SS Div. I AA quarterfinals where they lost to championship runner up Redondo Union. Los Al lost a steady setter in Katie Crosby and a threat at the net in Christine Douglas. For this year's squad, the Griffins will rely on L Kelly Holford (Washington), MB Emily Hartong and 2007 StudentSportsVolleyball.com Freshman of the Year Jane Croson. Croson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, is an accomplished beach player who was selected to the USA Beach Youth National training team and earned her AAA beach rating. The Griffins should have a strong defense and several quality hitters, but the question remains at the setting position.

33. Bishop Meige (Shawnee Mission, Kan.)
Last season's record: 33-2, KHSAA Class 5A state finalists
Outlook: Bishop Meige was upended in the finals of the KHSAA 5A finals by St. Thomas Aquinas, a team it had beaten three times that season. Head coach Gwen Pike's team finally beat the Lady Stags in their fourth meeting of the year. Meige will look to senior setter Kate Van Dyke (Georgia Southern) to lead the team back to the state championships.

34. New Castle (New Castle, Ind.)
Last season's record: 33-7, IHSAA 4A state champions
Outlook: Last season, the Trojans battled to win the IHSAA state championship against Elkhart Memorial, 26-24, 14-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-9. The state champs look to defend their title without Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year Caitlin Cox. The Trojans will get help from MB Hayley Benninger, who was one of the best freshmen in the country last year, and Sara Metroka, who will deliver the offense. The Trojans are energetic and intense this season and will rely on a strong, capable offense and defensive efficiency to take them back to the state tournament.

35. Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Last season's record: 28-1, OHSA Div. I state champions
Key players: OH Steph Vorherr (Sr.), S Amanda Philpot (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bobcats were victorious in the Div. I state finals over Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati), as they vindicated their loss in the finals of the 2006 state tournament to the same school. Behind outside hitter Missy Harpenau, Mercy was unstoppable. This year, head coach Denise Harvey will focus on rebuilding after losing Harpenau and 11 other seniors. The Bobcats look to gain traction and experience throughout the year and will rely upon OH Steph Vorherr for her strength, team chemistry and ball control.

36. Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)
Last season's record: 33-8, MSHSAA Class 4A State Finalists
Outlook: The Chargers had a great run last season but fell to powerhouse Lee's Summit West in the 4A state final. Although losing six seniors, head coach Louise Wibbenmeyer is confident about 2008 after the JV had an undefeated season. She's also got back solid seniors Alex Smith, Kate Kloster and Erin Thiemann.

37. Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Ky.)
Last season's record: 28-9, KHSAA Region 7 finalists
Outlook: The Valkyries had an up and down season last year in their region, which included heralded Assumption. Sacred Heart also tested the waters outside of the state at the NIKE Challenge last year where it lost in the semifinal to Illinois' Mother McAuley.

38. Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Last season's record: 41-6, Hawaii High School Athletic Association Div. I finalists
Outlook: The Raiders returned seven players from their state finalist squad and was the only non California team to place in the championship bracket of the Ann Kang Invitational. Coach Jenic Tumaneng looks to reach the finals of the state tournament once again behind the veterans from the 2007 state championship runner up team, which includes L Kelly Pang, OH/MH I'isha Keliikoa and OH Chelsea Hardin.

39. Redondo (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Last season's record: 36-9, CIF SS Div. I finalists, CIF Southern Region finalists
Outlook: Lara Dykstra, who competed for the USA Beach Youth National Team at the FIVB World Youth Championships at The Hague, Netherlands, will play a big role for this team despite her underclassman status. Coach Tommy Chaffins also always prepares his teams well, as the squad adjusts to the new lineup without four graduated seniors.

40. Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.)
Last season's record: 30-4, CIF Division III state champions
Outlook: It was the upset of the year last season when the Wolverines took down Nor Cal's heralded Archbishop Mitty at Mitty's own tournament. That was only the beginning of a great season for the Wolverines. After losing 10 seniors, Westlake will regroup and look to junior OH Meg Norton and sophomore OH Emily Waterhouse to step up and fill some big shoes. Incoming frosh setter Danielle Salka was on the USA Girls Select Blue at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships over the summer, and is one of the top freshman setters in the U.S.

41. Muncie Central (Muncie, Ind.)
Last season's record: 31-5, Class 4A sectional finalists
Outlook: The Bearcats have a sour taste in their mouths from a devastating loss to New Castle in the Class 4A sectional finals last season. Another sour note is the ineligibility of last season's kill leader, OH Jamie Drummer (So.), so Central will rely on OH Marquita Marshall and MB Kristina Kerrigan in the middle.

42. Shakopee (Shakopee, Minn.)
Last season's record: 31-1, Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) 3A state champion.
Outlook: After losing graduating seniors Jessica Menden and Maggie Geske, the Sabers are still looking to defend their honor. With arguably one of the toughest schedules in the state, Shakopee has Chaska, Eastview, and Lakeville North to contend with for its title. Sophomore setter Megan Westlund will be called upon to run the offense.

43. Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Last season's record: 43-2, ILH league champions, HHSAA Div. I state champions.
Outlook: Four starters of Kamehameha's three-time state championship volleyball team will play ball at Div. I schools this fall: Kanani Herring (Hawai'i), Bekah Torres (Pacific), Jordan Meredith (Boston College) and Tati Santiago (Nevada). This leaves the cupboard bare for the Warriors, who rebuild quietly this fall.

44. Marian (Omaha, Neb.)
Last season's record: 34-7, NSAA Class A semifinalists
Outlook: The NSAA Class A semifinalists have made 23 appearances in the state tournament and will rely on Greisch to rally the troops to make it 24. Although the squad lost much, the Marian pipeline runs deep and head coach Rochelle Rohlfs will ready the troops.

45. Mount Notre Dame Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Last season's record: 24-4, Division I AAA state finalists
Outlook: Rachael Adams (now at Texas) led the Cougars to the DI AAA finals where they lost to Mother of Mercy. MND graduated 12 players off last year's roster, which leaves little experience on this team. Among those who are back include DS/OH Kylee Tarantino and RS Jen Meyer.

46. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco, Calif.)
Last season's record: 31-10, Division III CCS champs, CIF state finalists
Outlook: The Fightin' Irish had a great 2007 season before falling to champion Harvard Westlake in the state finals. After graduating seven seniors, Sacred Heart looks to MH Gabby Jolly (St. Mary's College) and OH Nicole Yap to lead their team this season. The Irish are athletic and taller than years past and have Junior Olympic experience at the club level.

47. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Last season's record: 34-4
Outlook: The Hounds have begun the year off with a tournament victory at the Sequoyah Classic. Lone senior Alex Dempsey will go along for the ride with this young talented team. Junior standouts include S Hannah Farmer while sophs to watch are MB Sarah Morris and OH Mary Hoey.

48. Elkhart Memorial (Elkhart, Ind.)
Last season's record: 36-4, Class 4A state championship ffnalists
Outlook: The Chargers look to win a state championship after not closing the deal for the past two years. Memorial only lost one player from last year's squad and looks to senior Jennifer Krumweide (IPFW) and OH Alexa Sieracki for their strong outside attack and great ball control.

49. St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)
Last season's record: 39-3, Class 5A state champions
Outlook: After losing to Bishop Meige three times last year in the regular season, the Saints ousted Meige in the Class 5A state finals. Aquinas lost six seniors this year and will rely on OH Liz Gohde and S Margaret Clark to lead them to another championship.

50. Nevada Union (Grass Valley, Calif.)
Last season's record: 44-4, CIF Division I state runnerup
Outlook: The Miners lost more than the seven seniors from their Div. I state finalist squad; they also said goodbye to Bob Rogers, who chose to step down from the head coach position. From 2002 through 2007, Nevada Union won six consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I titles and three CIF Northern California championships. The Miners have a strong group returning from a section championship team that lost to Lakewood in the CIF state D-I final. No school has won seven consecutive section volleyball titles and the Miners have a chance to make history. San Jose State commit Taylor Japhet is the top returnee.

Christine Jinbo and Kirstin Olsen cover high school volleyball for ESPNRISE.com. For more coverage, check out the volleball blog.