One of the best stories in high school volleyball happened last week as Charlotte Vinson returned to the floor for No. 23 Yorktown (Ind.).
The MaxPreps All-American was set to lead the Tigers in their hunt for their first Class 4A title since 2000. But the Indiana commit came down with what appeared to be strep throat in May.
Vinson’s condition deteriorated to the point she was hospitalized in the ICU with what was diagnosed as toxic shock syndrome caused by a strain of Strep A. She spent more than a month in the hospital and coach Stephanie Bloom was unsure when her star player would return.
Committed to Indiana, Vinson played limited time in a sweep over Wapahani (Selma) on Sept. 3 before hitting the home floor two nights later in a sweep of Pendleton Heights (Pendleton).
“I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to hit a ball again, so being able to be out here again with all my teammates really was amazing,” Vinson told the Indianapolis Star.
Elsewhere, the crowded field of contenders in Southern California continue to knock each other off.
Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) – No. 3 last week – was swept by No. 14 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), which welcomed back Layli Ostovar in limited action.
But Mater Dei ran into No. 8 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) two days later in the championship game of the Dave Mohs Tournament and was swept.
As a result, Mater Dei climbs to No. 11 while Mira Costa drops to No. 12.
MaxPreps Top 25 volleyball rankings
1. Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 1
The Lions followed up their championship run at Volleypalooza with a 3-1 win over Hockaday.
2. Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
Record: 21-1 | Last week: 2
Kylie Kleckner continues to hit at a torrid pace with 285 kills (5.1 per set) as the Bobcats straight-setted Euless Trinity last week. Kleckner led four players with at least 10 kills along with Lexi Proctor, Ashlyn Seay and Rayvyn Thomas. Sophee Peterson had 42 assists.
3. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 4
A Class 4A showdown is set for Tuesday as the Royals travel to No. 23 Yorktown. Lindsey Mangelson has fueled the HSE hitting attack (137 kills) along with junior Madison Miles (115 kills).
4. Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.)
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 5
The Redwings remained perfect with a sweep of Metea Valley (Aurora) as Aniya Warren had 10 digs while Lynney Tarnow pounded nine kills and added three blocks.
5. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas)
Record: 20-1 | Last week: 6
Megan Fitch has dropped 205 kills on the season.
6. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: 7
Emilee Fuller is quarterbacking (221 assists in 20 sets) an attack that has eight hitters with double-digit kills early in the season. Assumption hosts the Louisville Invitational Tournament this weekend.
7. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: 8
Madison Quest had 15 kills and Addison Buckner added 13 in a sweep of Kettle Moraine Lutheran (Jackson) last week.
8. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 9
Mae Kordas was MVP of the Dave Mohs Tournament while opposite Sophia Johnson and setter/defensive specialist Lauren Hanson picked up all-tourney nods.
9. Dripping Springs (Texas)
Record: 33-1 | Last week: 10
Henley Anderson is in the top 20 nationally with 330 kills on the season as the Tigers continue to roll. They have a home showdown Friday against No. 5 Cornerstone Christian.
10. Plant (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: 11
The Panthers picked up wins over St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), the reigning 6A champion, and last year’s 3A runner-up Westminster Christian (Miami).
11. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 11-3 | Last week: 14
Preslie Saunders and Presley Kiffin each had 11 kills in the sweep over Mira Costa. Soraya Dennis and Ayva Ostovar combined for 36 assists in the victory.
12. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Record: 9-3 | Last week: 3
Audrey Flanagan had 16 kills in a loss to No. 11 Mater Dei while Simone Roslon added nine kills and Taylor Deckert had 15 digs.
13. Cypress Ranch (Houston, Texas)
Record: 23-4 | Last week: 12
Freshman Sade Bello has 197 kills and is among the leaders nationally in the Class of 2028.
14. Alpharetta (Ga.)
Record: 19-0 | Last week: 13
SMU commit Abigail Li is closing in on 500 assists this season and 2,500 for her career.
15. Roncalli (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Record: 14-0 | Last week: 15
Senior hitter Logan Bell reached 1,000 kills and junior setter Addie Haberthy hit 1,000 assists last week.
16. Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 11-1 | Last week: 18
Lydia Chinchar was the MVP of the Florida Gem Classic while Lorelei Church earned all-tourney honors.
17. Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)
Record: 18-7 | Last week: 17
The Leopards have played four games against teams in this week’s MaxPreps Top 25.
18. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Record: 16-6 | Last week: 18
Juniors Layla Austin (133 kills) and Kinsley Young (100 kills) lead the attack.
19. Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 20
A possible showdown with No. 6 Assumption could be in the works at the Louisville Invitational this week.
20. Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 21
MaxPreps Preseason All-American Campbell Flynn has helped the Marlins start fast in defense of their state title.
21. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Record: 9-3 | Last week: 22
The Sea Hawks are 4-1 against out-of-state opponents this season with the lone loss coming against No. 2 Byron Nelson.
22. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 5-1 | Last week: 23
A showdown later this month against No. 19 Mother McAuley will be one of the first big tests for the RedHawks.
23. Yorktown (Ind.)
Record: 11-1 | Last week: 25
Seniors Shanese Williams and Ariane Wright along with freshman Chloe Ritchie have been the main weapons early this season. They will benefit from the return of Charlotte Vinson to the rotation.
24. Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)
Record: 5-0 | Last week: NR
Alea Goolsby started the season strong with 53 kills in the first five matches as the Saints have wins over defending Class 6A champion Mill Valley and Skutt Catholic.
25. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: NR
The Eagles haven’t dropped a match in more than two seasons and beat a good Rocklin (Calif.) squad in their first tournament of the year.
On the bubble: Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 7-1; Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.), 7-1; Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 16-1; Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu, Hawaii), 15-3; Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 5-0; Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.), 3-0; Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 0-0; Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas), 20-5; Stratford (Houston, Texas), 22-2; Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills, Ohio), 9-1
