High school volleyball: Who's on top? Here are Jacksonville's top teams, players for 2023

STARTING SIX: TOP TEAMS TO WATCH

Bishop Kenny

The Crusaders' streak is hard to beat: They're closing in on 20 consecutive appearances in Florida High School Athletic Association regional finals, making it there every year from 2005 on. The 2022 state semifinalists lose an attacking force in Ally Cavanaugh, now at Georgia, but scoring punch still abounds inside the John A. Baldwin Athletic Center. Claudia Stockard (216 kills, committed to UAB), Olivia Ryno (186 kills) and Skylar Fick (134 kills) lead the way. Also back will be the setter tandem of Lizzy Austin and Cat Haen (943 combined assists) and Belmont Abbey-committed libero Mallory Swain.

Bolles

The bad news: The Bulldogs must replace an all-around four-year star in Grace Albaugh, who graduated and is now playing at Georgetown. But they pick up an impact transfer in Kennesaw State commit Ashlyn Anderson, who walloped 480 kills in her junior season at St. Johns Country Day, and return a lineup that includes Denison commit Bella Bergeron (198 kills) and setter Gracie Arnett (507 assists).

Mandarin

The Mustangs earned their first Gateway Conference title for nearly two decades in 2022, and much of that squad is back. Senior Paola Aviles Morales tallied 284 kills and 54 blocks on the outside, part of a potent attack: They'll also bring back senior Kylie Spraggins and a couple of fast-rising prospects in Macy DuBois (138 kills) and Rayna Joquin (66 blocks). Junior setter Paige Wind brings reliability and balance with 423 assists, 144 digs and 62 aces.

Ponte Vedra

It's a season of change for the Sharks. Ponte Vedra must replace the hitter-setter combination of Zeta Washington and Jessica Shattles that ranks among the best tandems in St. Johns County history, as head coach John Goings enters year two on the sidelines after the triple-championship tenure of Robin Mignerey. But there's still scoring power down the middle from Tennessee-committed Chelsea Sutton (146 kills, .439 hitting percentage), while Ava Grall (Gettysburg), Avery Webb and FSU commit Ryan Murphy are among the returning Sharks to see significant action in 2022.

Ridgeview

When it comes to dominant middle blockers, Northeast Florida might not have a force more overpowering than Panthers senior Haley Robinson. Committed to Wright State, Robinson pummeled the ball with 305 kills last year to go with 132 blocks and 109 digs. This might be the big chance for the Panthers: They return nine seniors, including triple-digit attackers Kennedy Baugh, Bri Adams and Harper Herring as well as setter Mariah Bostic-Jones.

Trinity Christian

The junior duo of Mari King and Ariel Ross means big-time scoring for the Conquerors, who racked up a program-best 25 victories last year on the road to a regional final. King, committed to Marquette, might end up shattering some Northeast Florida records: She's up to 1,356 kills entering her junior year, and she blasted 407 last year with a .316 hitting percentage. Ross (466 assists) and senior libero Taylor Teaman (358 digs) strengthen an excellent Trinity roster.

FANTASTIC 15: TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

MB Kathryn Almond

Sr., Episcopal

At 6-3, the Eagles' senior is an imposing force at the net and enters the new season in peak form after missing a stretch of 2022 due to injury. She averaged two blocks last year and forms a solid core for a traditionally-strong Episcopal team with senior Emory Nelson and junior Elle Steiger.

OH Keerstin Brady

Jr., Nease

A high leaper who can finish around the net more than her 5-5 frame might suggest, Brady enters 2023 as a six-rotation regular on a Panthers team with decades of tradition. She recorded a .189 hitting percentage in 2022.

S Emily Collings

Sr., Providence

A quality setter for a Stallions team that's always in the running for postseason. She recorded 691 assists in her junior year to go with 60 kills, 40 aces and 178 digs, committing in December to Jacksonville University.

OH Lilly DeLamielleure

Sr., Bartram Trail

Yes, the Bears lose the excellent graduated combination of Sydney Lewis and Jenna Otts, but DeLamielleure is ready to step up in attack after 180 kills last season. Also watch for senior middle Abby Minor (112 kills, 39 blocks) and rising sophomore Molly Fitzpatrick for this consistent squad.

OH Rauly Eason

Sr., Fleming Island

Eason grew into a leading Clay County attacker last year, putting away 240 kills with a .291 hitting percentage and adding 73 blocks. Committed to Harding, she's one of several future college players on the roster, with setter Leeann Maysonet (Maryville) and outside hitter Ella Vigue (Webber).

OH Nadia Ewton

Sr., Fletcher

A high scorer for the Senators, Ewton enters her senior year after back-to-back 200-kill seasons. Lauren Rom (240 assists) and Katie Issendorf (221 kills, .236 hitting percentage) also return to spur Fletcher's playoff push.

L Abby Glavin

Sr., Bishop Snyder

The reliable libero, with 588 career digs, returns for a Cardinals team that won 17 matches in 2022 and returns much of its lineup. Also back will be Faith Kennedy, among the area's leading servers, and 134-kill middle blocker Natalie Harvey.

L Kate Jacobs

Sr., St. Johns Country Day

The 2,000 career digs mark is in sight for Jacobs, a leader on the defensive end for the Spartans. She's up to 1,679 digs through three seasons, including 615 last year, leading St. Johns along with junior setter Bella Gomez.

OH Sarahbelle Jameson

Jr., Creekside

Newly committed to Embry-Riddle, the junior delivers steady points for a Knights team that's always in the St. Johns County mix. She finished last year with 139 kills.

L Aubri Martin

Sr., Clay

The Blue Devils' fourth-year libero is committed to Mercer and zooms all across the defensive end, recording 1,183 kills in three seasons.

OH Nadia Mortensen

Sr., Christ's Church

In her sixth year on varsity, just like her senior teammate Sydney Kambach at setter, Mortensen has competed effectively all over the court. She blasted 266 kills last year at a .213 clip and will likely surpass the 1,500 dig mark for her career.

OH Connor Rahn

Sr., Middleburg

In the Broncos' first year for decades without now-retired coach Carrie Prewitt, Rahn returns as a constant. Committed to San Francisco, she blasted 371 kills at a .291 hitting percentage and teams up with junior Brooke Forkum (263 kills) in a powerful one-two combination.

OH Ryanne Robinson

Jr., Orange Park

Robinson brings the scoring power from the outside for the Raiders, collecting 202 kills in her freshman year and 263 more last season. She also recorded 375 digs in a fine all-around year that included fine feats on the soccer field.

OH Victoria Rushing

Jr., Fernandina Beach

The Pirates powered into the playoffs with Rushing as a main catalyst, recording 222 kills (.215 hitting percentage) and 182 digs in a 20-win season.

MB Lainie Stapleton

Sr., Beachside

The Barracudas' first-ever college volleyball commitment, she's heading to Air Force after 94 kills and 49 blocks in a 15-win debut campaign. With senior Laney Lipovetsky also back to attack on the outside, this is a team that will score and score some more.

2023 FHSAA DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL ASSIGNMENTS

District 1-7A

Atlantic Coast, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Flagler Palm Coast, Mandarin, Sandalwood, Tocoi Creek

District 3-6A

First Coast, Fleming Island, Fletcher, Nease, Oakleaf, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra

District 2-5A

Belleview, Columbia, Tallahassee Lincoln, Tallahassee Rickards, Ocala Vanguard

District 3-5A

Beachside, Englewood, Parker, Riverside, Stanton, Westside, White

District 4-5A

Clay, Daytona Beach Mainland, Menendez, Middleburg, Ridgeview, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, St. Augustine

District 2-4A

Baker County, Gadsden County, Tallahassee Godby, Suwannee, Wakulla

District 3-4A

Fernandina Beach, Jackson, Paxon, Raines, Ribault, West Nassau, Yulee

District 4-4A

Bishop Kenny, Bolles, Keystone Heights, Wolfson

District 2-3A

Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Episcopal, Providence, San Jose Prep, Trinity Christian

District 3-3A

Bradford, Crescent City, Interlachen, P.K. Yonge, Palatka, Taylor County

District 2-2A

Christ's Church, Eagle's View, First Coast Christian, St. Johns Country Day, University Christian

District 3-2A

Beaches Chapel, Covenant, Harvest Community, Impact Christian, Parsons Christian

District 4-2A

Countryside Christian, Florida Deaf, Gainesville Oak Hall, Peniel Baptist, Gainesville St. Francis, St. Joseph

District 5-1A

Aucilla Christian, Hamilton County, Hilliard, Madison County

District 6-1A

Bell, Branford, Fort White, Mayo Lafayette, Union County

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed the tenure in years for second-year Ponte Vedra head coach John Goings.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school volleyball 2023: Northeast Florida teams, players to watch