One month into the high school girls volleyball season and it’s time to break down the Top 15 teams in the LA Daily News area.
LA DAILY NEWS TOP 15
1. Sierra Canyon (17-0)
The Trailblazers, who are ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, will be taking part in a big tournament this week in Las Vegas. They will play in the Durango Fall Volleyball Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Sierra Canyon is stacked with six Division I commits, led by a USA U/23 national gold medalist, middle hitter Kendall Omoruyi (Nebraska commit), along with setter Lucky Fasavalu (Missouri), outside hitter Hanna McGinest (Texas Tech), middle blocker Eva Jeffries (Tennessee), outside hitter McKenna McIntosh (USC) and setter Olivia Shum (UC Irvine). The Trailblazers aren’t just talented, they are also well coached under Stefanie Wigfall. Sierra Canyon’s goal is to maintain the high standards currently embedded in the program.
2. Harvard-Westlake (10-6)
The Wolverines are playing a challenging nonleague schedule that includes the Ann Kang Volleyball Invitational — won by Sierra Canyon — and Durango Fall Classic. Harvard-Westlake sits second in the Mission League with key wins over Chaminade and Notre Dame. Senior outside hitters Ruby Sampson (Boston) and Kahala Faucher (University of Chicago) are solid in the back row to go along with their quality swings and anchored in a back row consisting of junior setter Grace Ge and senior libero Mattea Pisani.
3. West Ranch (8-5)
Plenty of upside on the West Ranch roster, which includes junior outside hitter Devyn Kobe, junior middle blocker Gioia Nicolas-Piccolino and senior setter Karleigh Lawson.
4. Crescenta Valley (13-5)
There have been some impressive wins for Crescenta Valley, which include Chaminade, Palisades and La Cañada. Crescenta Valley has a proven back row and hitting force led by outside hitter Casandra Lim, 6-foot-1 outside hitter Evie Lutz and libero Payton Sellers.
5. Chaminade (15-4-1)
Senior outside hitter Chloe Cook (Florida Southern College commit) is the player to watch for the Eagles, who beat Notre Dame in five sets Tuesday. The Eagles are well balanced and play a gritty style with a swarming back row led by seniors Sophia Hendelman and Giselle Hong.
6. Notre Dame (11-4)
Notre Dame has been the standard in the Mission League and will look to carry that tradition once more with an attack headed by senior outside hitter Amalia Hodge and junior Tatum Thomas. Junior libero Alicia Reyes guides the back row.
7. Oaks Christian (12-2)
There is plenty of talent across the court for Oaks Christian with its attack guided by senior outside hitter Tristyn Bailey. The Notre Dame commit has 130 kills and a .261 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Kiley Macias has stepped up with 220 assists.
8. Thousand Oaks (10-2)
Junior Saylor Halvorsen, a 6-foot-2 BYU commit, is the player to watch for the Lancers, who have earned impressive wins over Ventura and Royal.
9. Newbury Park (19-5)
Senior setter Keira Overbeck is leading Newbury Park again after totaling 776 assists, 135 kills, 29 blocks, 55 aces and 122 digs in 2025. The Panthers are looking to put it all together with big matchups for Marmonte League supremacy next week against Thousand Oaks.
10. Saugus (18-5-1)
Don’t let the height of Kimora Hogains (5-foot-9) fool you at outside hitter. Hogains carries plenty of bounce and leads Saugus in kills. The Saugus attack is balanced and there is an effective back row headed by sophomore Presley Campbell (159 digs), sophomore defensive specialist Chasiah Omoregie (147 digs) and junior Victoria Mejia (184 kills, 163 digs, .282 hitting percentage). Saugus sits in second place in the Foothill League.
11. Alemany (11-0)
It has been a strong start to the season for the Warriors, who finished 9-25 overall and 0-10 in the Mission Gold League last season. Jaselyn Campos is in her first year as the team’s head coach. The Alemany Class of 2018 graduate has brought confidence back to the program. The Warriors are undefeated in Mission Silver League play.
12. Taft (13-2)
Senior outside hitter Maya Gundarson and senior setter Alexa Barajas have the Toreadors playing at a high level that includes a massive five-set win in the West Valley League over Chatsworth. Sophomore outside hitter Janice Sanchies has Division I potential.
13. Chatsworth (20-9)
A pair of five-set losses to El Camino Real and Taft were difficult but the Chancellors are not to be underestimated despite some snags. Senior setter Madison Lee and middle blocker Roshni Bastani make plays.
14. Canyon (8-6)
Not the biggest team but Canyon is scrappy and rotates well in its back row. Seniors Marlee Kay Magee and junior Emmita Lazar play with passion.
15. El Camino Real (7-8)
El Camino Real has battled plenty of distractions to the start the season. But the Royals haven’t stopped battling and earned a hard-fought, five-set win over Chatsworth on Sept. 9. First-year coach Taytum Reckleff has brought focus to an offense headed by senior Eden Tolbert, junior Riley Felton and freshman defensive specialist Issa Chavez.
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