Big Bend 10: Who are the top volleyball teams, players in the area after start of regular season

As we enter the third week of Big Bend volleyball, area programs are hitting the hardwood and filling the stat sheets as volleyball season hits its stride.

With Hurricane Idalia forcing the postponement or cancelation of games, week three of the volleyball season sees a return to a regular schedule for area teams.

Some Big Bend programs have gotten off to a fast start, with three teams undefeated, Chiles, Florida High and Lincoln, and three teams losing once, Maclay, Rickards and Aucilla Christian.

As we enter the busiest part of the volleyball season, here is the first regular season Big Bend 10.

Preseason Rankings: Here are the top teams, players to watch heading into the volleyball season | Big Bend 10

Top Performers:

Disclaimer: These are 10 top performers from the start of the season and not a listing for All-Big Bend players of the year, this list doesn't determine who is going to win at the end of the season. All-Big Bend is voted on by coaches. Stats are pulled from Maxpreps, if someone you feel has been left off the list, make sure Maxpreps stats have been updated.

Alli Tawney, Sr., Lincoln:

Season stats: 34 kills, two aces, 37 digs

Kaylin Johnson, Sr., Chiles:

Season stats: 33 kills, four aces, nine blocks, 10 digs

Lauren Lozano, Sr., Lincoln:

Season stats: eight aces, 75 digs, 10 assists

Kenzie Hultquist, Sr., Florida High:

Season stats: 51 kills, 27 digs, 58 assists

Kate Stewart, Jr., Chiles:

Season stats: 39 kills, six aces, 31 digs, seven assists

Delaney Scott-Hanowell, Sr., Chiles:

Season stats: 23 kills, seven aces, 17 blocks,

Ashlyn Koerner, Sr., Lincoln:

Season stats: 25 kills, 16 aces, six blocks, 41 digs, 97 assists

Eva Goodson, So., Florida High:

Season stats: 22 kills, 28 digs, 63 assists

Landri Ross, Jr., Maclay

Season stats: 16 kills, 12 aces, nine digs, 42 assists.

RoseLyn Mcleod, Jr., Aucilla Chrisitan:

Season stats: 31 kills, 13 aces, 45 digs

Power Rankings

1. Chiles (4-0)

The Timberwolves remain on the top of the power rankings following a 4-0 start to the 2023 season. Chiles came into the season with the expectation it would be one of the area's best teams, and so far it has lived up to the expectation. The Timberwolves have won nine straight sets since an opening set loss to Mosley on Aug. 23, beating the Dolphins 3-1.

2. Florida High (3-0)

The Seminoles come in at number two for the regular season poll, an impressive 3-0 start to the campaign has Florida High full of momentum heading into the biggest part of its season. In the next two weeks, Florida High plays Lincoln, Chiles, Wakulla, Maclay and Leon, arguably the hardest stretch of its 2023 schedule. If the Seminoles come out of the stretch with a winning record, it could make some noise in the rankings.

3. Lincoln (4-0)

The Trojans stick at number three in the rankings with a 4-0 start to the season. Lincoln opened up the season with a 3-0 sweep of Pensocla Catholic and has not lost a set this season entering its matchup with Florida High on Thursday night. If the Trojans keep up this pace, it could be one of the best seasons in program history.

4. Leon (4-2)

Leon comes in at four following an impressive 4-1 run at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Wesly Chapel, Florida, the Lions are off to a 4-2 start to the season. Dropping the season opener to Mosely, the Lions rattled off four wins at the Tournament of Champions, before losing to undefeated Westminster Academy from Fort Lauderdale. A three-game stretch of Lincoln, Mosley and Florida High will be the biggest test for the Lions at this point in the season.

5. Maclay (3-1)

The Marauders come in at five in the rankings, starting the season with a 3-1 record. The only loss for Maclay comes against top-ranked Chiles, losing 3-0, but the Marauders have swept every other opponent it has faced this season. Heading into a weekend tournament where Maclay plays Valdosta (Georgia) and Liberty County, a 2-0 weekend will be huge.

6. Aucilla Christain (4-1)

The Warriors move up one spot from the preseason, starting the season 4-1, with its only loss coming against Bell. Aucilla Christian started the season with 12 set wins in a row, sweeping its first four opponents. A matchup with Wakulla awaits the Warriors next as it looks for its fifth win.

7. Wakulla (2-2)

The War Eagles slide down one spot from the preseason rankings, starting the year 2-2. Picking up wins over St. John Paul II and Suwannee, Wakulla lost to Lincoln and Blountstown in back-to-back games. The War Eagles face Aucilla Christian next, and a win could see them move back up a spot in the rankings.

8. Community Leadership Academy (2-2)

The Lions move up a spot in the rankings following a 2-2 start to the 2023 season. Starting the season with two straight wins, CLA followed up with two losses, sitting at an even .500 heading into its matchup with North Florida Christian.

9. Rickards (2-1)

The Raiders move up one spot following a 2-1 start to the campaign. A season-opening loss to Godby was followed by wins over Taylor County and NFC. Rickards enter its matchup with Gadsden County with momentum and could pick up a third straight win.

10. North Florida Christian (2-2)

NFC enters the top 10 for the first time on the back of a 2-2 start to the regular season. The Eagles started the year 2-0, beating Thomasville (Georgia) and Munroe, before dropping back-to-back matches to Rickards and Maclay. A chance to get back in the win column is ahead for the Eagles, facing Cottondale on Thursday and CLA on Friday.

Preps Volleyball results and schedule

Tuesday:

JPII 3-0 Community Christian; Wakulla Christian 3-2 Godby; Maclay 3-0 NFC; Lincoln 3-0 Pensacola Catholic; Bell 3-0 Aucilla Christian; Chiles 3-0 Liberty County

Wednesday: Munroe 3-2 Community Christian; Wakulla 3-1 Suwannee

Thursday: Crossroad Academy at FAMU DRS 5 p.m.; NFC at Cottondale 5 p.m.; Lincoln at Florida High 6 p.m.; Godby at Munroe 6 p.m.; Taylor County at Madison County 6 p.m.; Community Christian at Wakulla Christian 6 p.m.; Wakulla at Aucilla Christian 6 p.m.; Gadsden County at Rickards 6:30 p.m.

Friday: CLA vs NFC 6 p.m.; Lincoln vs Martin County 4 p.m.; Lincoln vs Jupiter 6 p.m.

Saturday: Wewahitchka at FAMU DRS 7:30 a.m.; Rickards at Wakulla Christian 8:30 a.m.; JPII at North Bay Haven 9 a.m.; Chiles vs Navarre 10 a.m.; Chiles vs Niceville 12 p.m.; Valdosta vs Maclay 12 p.m.; JPII vs Chipley 12:15 p.m.; Fort Walton Beach vs Chiles 1 p.m.; Destin vs JPII 1:15 p.m.; Liberty County vs Maclay 2 p.m.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top Tallahassee area, Big Bend high school volleyball teams, players