Indiana high school volleyball power rankings: HSE, Roncalli top Fab 15 ahead of clash

We're midway through the month of September, so let's make another attempt at ranking the state's 15 best high school volleyball teams.

1. Hamilton Southeastern (17-0)

Previous statewide rank (Aug. 29): 1

I'm planning to write more on this soon, but we've had the chance to see how the Royals have responded to some adversity and unique circumstances. The Labor Day weekend sweeps of Bellmont and Fort Wayne Carroll were preceded by an early morning bus ride up to Fort Wayne (first match was at 10 a.m.); they dropped their first set of the season during a 3-1 win over Yorktown (also took four sets to beat Cathedral); and they've swept by their rival Fishers, a potential sectional opponent depending on the draw.

Now comes their most difficult stretch of the season: Roncalli (Tuesday), Zionsville (Thursday) and Hammond Bishop Noll at a tournament on Saturday.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 vs. Roncalli; Sept. 21 vs. Zionsville; Sept. 28 at Noblesville; Sept. 30 at Center Grove (tournament)

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2. Bellmont (19-2)

PR: 3

The Braves are ranked second statewide by both IndianaPrepVolleyball.com and MaxPreps, and have played the third-toughest schedule in the state according to the Z-Ratings. To that end, September alone has taken them through HSE, Homestead, FW Carroll, Angola (lost Saturday) and NorthWood. That's a state title contender playing a state title contender-caliber schedule, folks.

The schedule does ease up from here, relatively speaking — though, they could play a couple NAIA schools and you could still argue it lightens up — with six conference matches over the next three weeks.

An individual note: Senior setter Hailey Cole has 646 assists, nearly double her total from last season (337) and giving her over 1,000 for her career.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 21 vs. Leo; Sept. 28 at DeKalb

3. Roncalli (17-2)

PR: 5

Winners of 10 straight, the Royals have beaten Cathedral twice this month, adding the Irish to a September dance card that also includes Providence, Center Grove and Brebeuf. Monday's visit from Perry Meridian feels like a potential trap game as I write this Sunday afternoon, but Roncalli will be the favorite entering the Marion County tournament.

Speaking of county, the bracket sets up for a potential Roncalli-Perry rematch in the quarterfinals; the opposite half includes North Central, Brebeuf Jesuit and Lawrence North.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 at HSE; Sept. 27-30 vs. Marion County tournament; Oct. 3 at Brownsburg

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4. Cathedral (16-4)

PR: 2

The Irish lost to Roncalli twice in four days, but have also beaten Providence, Lawrence North and Westfield. They put up a fight against HSE on Sept. 9, rallying for a third-set win before falling in four (25-16, 25-12, 23-25, 25-20).

Taylor Lewis is averaging over four kills per set and hitting .258 for the season. Freshmen Hayden Mandsager and Caroline Hanchar are both averaging two kills per set, with Hanchar hitting .246.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 vs. Brebeuf Jesuit; Sept. 21 vs. Yorktown; Sept. 27 vs. Carmel

5. Providence (18-5)

PR: 6

After testing themselves against a difficult schedule, the Pioneers picked up a signature win Saturday morning, taking out Yorktown, 3-1 (25-19, 26-28, 25-23, 25-23), in Indianapolis. That's a real nice W for a team who's already played Cathedral, Roncalli, HSE and McCutcheon.

Following Monday's trip to Silver Creek, three of Providence's final five matches are against Kentucky teams, including DuPont Manual, which is ranked 7th in the state by MaxPreps.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 28 at Trinity Lutheran; Oct. 5 vs. DuPont Manual

6. Yorktown (15-4)

PR: 4

The Tigers were the first to win a set off HSE, bouncing back from a 25-8 opening set loss with a 25-20 triumph in set 2. Charlotte Vinson had 28 kills that night and has been absolutely incredible on the attack, totaling 20-plus kills in five of her past six matches with 32 last week vs. New Castle (hit .358).

Yorktown has four matches in four days this week, beginning Wednesday against a Greenfield-Central bunch that'll be looking to strengthen its 14-3 record.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 21 at Cathedral; Sept. 23 vs. FW Carroll, Noblesville; Sept. 30 vs. Delaware County Tournament; Oct. 7 vs. Muncie Burris

7. Zionsville (18-1)

PR: 10

The Eagles haven't played the toughest schedule so far, but they're healthy and have had a few matches with everyone together. That sets us up for Thursday's trip to HSE, which should give us a decent idea of where this group stands (not really worried about the final score, more intrigued to see how they stack up against the state's best).

Sophia Poehlein stepped up in a big way with twin sister Isabelle injured, and she's maintained that high-level of play (27 kills and 20 digs over two matches last week). Isabelle, by the way, returned Aug. 31 vs. Westfield.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 21 at HSE; Sept. 28 vs. Brownsburg; Oct. 2 at North Central; Oct. 5 at Avon

8. Center Grove (15-3)

PR: NR

The Trojans' size at the net — see: 6-2 Ava Mardis and 6-3 Reese Dunkle — makes them a tough matchup for most teams. In terms of wins-and-losses, they offset setbacks to Providence and Roncalli with wins over Silver Creek, Perry Meridian, Brownsburg and Brebeuf Jesuit.

Center Grove, which should be the favorite to win its sectional, wraps up September with a Saturday doubleheader against Noblesville and HSE.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 25 at Jennings County; Sept. 30 vs. Noblesville, HSE

9. McCutcheon (12-5)

PR: 7

The Mavs have won five of six entering the back-end of their schedule, with that lone loss coming in four sets to Noblesville. They picked off Providence, 3-1  (25-19, 25-27, 25-20, 25-20) last Saturday, and have a big stretch looming in a couple weeks with Avon, Benton Central and Carmel.

Isabella Humphrey leads the team in both kills and digs, with 5-11 junior Reanna Lee leading the way with 32 total blocks (six solo).

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 vs. Brownsburg; Sept. 26 vs. Avon; Sept. 28 vs. Benton Central; Oct. 3 vs. Carmel; Oct. 4 vs. Lafayette Central Catholic

10. Fort Wayne Carroll (17-3)

PR: NR

The Chargers have won 12 of their past 14 matches, all of which came via sweep. The two losses? Those came in straight sets against HSE and Bellmont. They're diving into the meat of their schedule with matches vs. Yorktown and Westfield next Saturday, followed by FW Concordia Lutheran, FW Blackhawk Christian and a rematch with Homestead.

Senior libero Brenna Ginder leads the defense; senior setter Olivia Gisslen runs an offense that's been powered by a trio of underclassmen: Sophomores Bailey Sinish and Addi Shippy, and freshman Sarah Stegall.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 at Warsaw; Sept. 23 vs. Yorktown, Westfield; Sept. 25 vs. FW Concordia Lutheran; Sept. 26 vs. FW Blackhawk Christian; Sept. 28 vs. Homestead; Sept. 28 vs. Homestead; Sept. 30 vs. Angola (tournament); Oct. 5 at Angola

11. Benton Central (19-0)

PR: 11

The Bison haven't played nearly as tough a schedule as fellow 3A favorites Bellmont and Providence, but they have beaten Harrison (West Lafayette) and Brownsburg, and have not lost a set since a 3-1 decision vs. West Lafayette on Sept. 5. They're hitting .298 as a team.

The Hoosier Conference tournament should help bolster Benton Central's strength of schedule with Hamilton Heights, Lafayette Central Catholic and West Lafayette all involved. Said tournament is preceded by a trip to McCutcheon.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 28 at McCutcheon, Sept. 30 at Hoosier Conference tournament; Oct. 9 at Faith Christian

12. Angola (14-0)

PR: 13

The Hornets beat Bellmont, 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-15, 25-13), Saturday, and were aiming to sustain that momentum Monday vs. Homestead. Two matches against Fort Wayne Carroll to wrap up the regular season should help them ramp up ahead of sectionals.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 26 at Churubusco; Sept. 30 at FW Carroll (tournament); Oct. 5 vs. FW Carroll

13. Homestead (15-3)

PR: NR

The Spartans bounced back from consecutive losses to FW Bishop Dwenger and Bellmont with a six-match win streak wherein they didn't lose a set until Saturday against Bloomington North.

Homestead is hitting .240 as a team, with junior Addy Tindall leading the attack. Senior middle Taeley Mahler has 25 blocks — 20 of which have been solo efforts. Isabel Lubia and Ava Tindall have 16 and 15 solo blocks, respectively.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 28 vs. FW Carroll

14. Noblesville (13-3)

PR: 8

The Millers responded to a two-match losing streak with wins over McCutcheon, Westfield, Western Boone, Hamilton Heights and Delta before falling to Zionsville in straight sets on Thursday (25-19, 26-24, 25-19). They've got a tough week ahead with Muncie Burris, Carmel and Franklin Central preceding a tournament at Yorktown. Their final stretch of the season includes HSE, Center Grove and Brownsburg.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 20 vs. Carmel; Sept. 23 at Yorktown (tournament); Sept. 28 vs. HSE; Sept. 30 vs. Center Grove; Oct. 5 at Brownsburg

15. Castle (16-2)

PR: NR

The Knights have dropped just six sets this season, and their lone in-state loss was in four sets to Providence back on Aug. 12. They're 9-0 vs. Indiana foes since, with that run highlighted by Tecumseh, Silver Creek and Floyd Central (all three at a tournament last Saturday). Evansville Memorial should provide a quality test, and there's also a match remaining at Tecumseh.

Katie Kopshever is hitting .341 and has 191 kills on the season, Addisen Gallentine has 76 total blocks (19 solo), and Maya Joska and Megan Harpenau have combined for 494 assists.

Notable matches remaining: Sept. 19 vs. Evansville Memorial; Sept. 27 vs. Tecumseh

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls volleyball rankings: HSE, Roncalli, Bellmont best in Indiana