The News-Press/Naples Daily News preseason Top 10 volleyball rankings and season predictions

The 2023 Southwest Florida volleyball season is upon us as area teams take the courts for preseason matches this week with multiple teams capable of vying for state championships.

Each week, The News-Press and Naples Daily News will rank the Top 10 teams in Lee County, Collier County, and LaBelle. The power rankings will be based on their record, strength of schedule, and head-to-head matchups. We also polled a select group of area coaches to get their thoughts in helping make our selections.

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Coaches Confidential: Who are the best and most underrated volleyball players in SWFL in 2023?

Here are the preseason rankings compiled by The News-Press and Naples Daily News, with a lengthy bit of analysis as the regular season looms next week:

1. Barron Collier

Coach: Yamil Del Valle (sixth season)

Last year: 19-6, made playoffs (lost Class 5A State Championship to Jensen Beach)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 21-4

Season outlook: As if there was any doubt.

In his five completed seasons, Yamil Del Valle has had some very talented squads, but all of them have come up short of winning the final game. This year's Barron Collier team, which was the unanimous No. 1 team among media and coaches, could very well be the one that captures the Class 5A championship three months from now in Winter Haven.

Led by a veteran group in Kendra Pruitt (238 kills), Ava Zehnder (330 assists), Ashley Giraldo (421 digs), Charlotte Mongin (144 kills), and a sizeable amount of depth that has varsity experience, Barron has more than enough needed to hoist a trophy. Having Jillian Goetz (311 assists) and Nora Atkins (214 assists) also gives Del Valle plenty of depth at the setter position. The two filled in for Zehnder while she nursed an arm injury for the first 10 games of the regular season.

"With this team, we have a pretty good team that we put together," Del Valle said. "The potential that they have, everything, it's a really competitive team with a lot of energy. Over the past years, we feel more complete in specific areas where we've never been complete. The way we built this team this year, we did it the right way. We want to keep this program alive (after this season)."

Add Aisha Keric who transferred from Gulf Coast, and Barron is primed to be a tough out on paper on any given night. Keric was a Southwest Florida Volleyball Player of the Year finalist a season ago, posting 258 kills, 410 assists, 153 digs, 30 blocks, and 31 aces.

Sofia Locadia will get varsity experience for the first time after playing on the freshmen team two seasons ago. Locadia, a junior, has shown serious potential on the club circuit and is poised to fill the role nicely after Scarlett Martz graduated last season and signed with Gardner-Webb.

"They're bringing height," Del Valle said of Keric and Locadia. "They both had great club seasons. Putting those pieces together at the net is going to help this team in the future. We haven't been that strong in blocking, so having that height around the net is creating confidence for us to defend on the net. It's been great so far. They've been clicking together."

2. Seacrest Country Day

Coach: Jeff Motluck (first season)

Last year: 26-4, made playoffs (won Class 2A State Championship over Boca Raton Christian)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 20-4

Season outlook: The two-time Class 2A defending champions have gone 52-8 over the last two seasons, but will be under new leadership entering 2023. Jan Class, who won titles in 2013, 2021, and 2022 leading the program, was dismissed from his position as head coach last month. A cause for his departure was not disclosed.

Motluck, a former assistant at the Division I ranks, will assume the reins looking to join Canterbury (2000-02) and 14 other programs statewide that have achieved the feat.

"I'm super excited," Motluck said. "This is a really talented group. Every single day, they've impressed me with something different. I'm excited to see what they can do. With who we return, we don't have to reinvent the wheel here. One of the best qualities of this team is their versatility. I have so many players who can play so many different positions."

Leading that charge will be the five returners from last year's state title team in Alexa Haley (613 digs, 446 serve receptions), Adriana Garcia (108 kills), Milena Lopez (415 assists), Sami Soderlund (156 kills, 45 blocks), and do-it-all Nova Southeastern commit Brooke Spurgeon (178 kills, 302 digs, 73 aces, 37 blocks, 245 serve receptions). The Stingrays also have a pair of transfers that will be expected to make an impact in Bali Coles (85 kills, 22 blocks) and Klaudia Beach, who came from Gulf Coast and Bishop Verot, respectively.

"We just have to get comfortable with the changes we've made and the roles that are being played this year," Motluck added. "They're a very confident group and they're a very aggressive group. I'm excited to see what they throw out there. ... We're going to have a different look. One of the things we're doing is attacking from all corners of the court. With that many players that can do so many different things, it gives us opportunities to overload the blockers. We're going to take advantage of that."

Seacrest will be tested throughout the course of the season, taking on King's Academy, Westminster Christian, Tampa Prep, Lake Worth Christian, and multiple Private 8 foes in 2023.

3. Canterbury

Coach: Charlie Castillo (fourth season)

Last year: 14-6, made playoffs (lost to Cardinal Mooney in Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 18-7

Season outlook: The Cougars have once again reloaded, giving Castillo another team that's capable of making the postseason in Region 3A-3. However, Castillo will be the first to admit that replacing Chandler Swanson, Jordan Curran, Kayla Huether, and Laila Mecko is going to be a tall task.

North Florida commit Madison Hammermeister, who posted 176 kills last season, returns for her senior year, as does Olivia Hoy, who had 74 kills and 33 blocks splitting time with Mecko in the middle.

"I'm super excited about the leadership this senior class is going to bring," Castillo said. "You have kids like Addi (Piatt), Olivia, and Hammermeister that just have the ability to continue the culture that we've established over the last few years."

Canterbury has seen promise from outside hitter Brighten Sedmack, who will be one of the players asked to take on a larger role. As a sophomore, Sedmack posted 88 kills or 1.6 kills per set. Piatt has been a reliable asset primarily as a defensive specialist, posting 268 serve receptions, 120 digs, 50 kills, and 19 aces.

Aaliyah Harlow, who operated alongside Jordan Curran in a 6-2 rotation last season as a setter, will return to being a libero with the graduation of Swanson. Since making varsity as an eighth-grader, Harlow has posted 380 digs, 821 assists, and 62 aces, giving Canterbury a reliable and consistent piece on the floor.

"I think Brighten and Aaliyah are right there, on par, from a leadership standpoint," Castillo said. "I think athletically, they're so dynamic and bring so much to the team. I think we do have some question marks as far as having to replace Jordan as a setter and moving Aaliyah from setter to libero this year. It's going to be interesting. I'm excited to see how the new kids that were brought up are gonna perform on the biggest stage now."

The Cougars will be put to the test early, taking on First Baptist and Estero this week in preseason, before taking on Barron Collier, Estero again, and Community School before heading to the Nike Tournament of Champions.

4. Estero

Coach: John Ban (second season)

Last year: 12-9, made playoffs (lost to Academy of the Holy Names in Class 4A-Region 3 semifinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 17-8

Season outlook: It's been four years in the making, but John Ban feels as if this year's Estero volleyball team could be his best yet.

The Wildcats have high expectations this year, and rightfully so. Gia Rosencrans, Sophie Perkins, Kaitlyn Carroll, Ashlyn Ban, Kendal Williams, and Payton Scheiring are back for one final season. Sofia King, an up-and-coming setter, transferred from Community School, which has given the Wildcats another key piece along with fellow junior Julia Martus.

"I've basically got the same team I had from last year," Ban said. "We added in a key component with Sofia King. These girls have been playing together since they were freshmen. I think we're going to have a good year, and hope to make it back to where we were last year, in the Sweet Sixteen in regionals.

"... This is a team I've been planning for now, for a while. All the pieces have come together. We attack the ball from everywhere, and our defense is very, very solid."

Rosencrans has morphed into a strong hitter with her 6-foot-1 frame, which is likely to give multiple programs problems. In 50 sets last season, Rosencrans posted 124 kills and 33 blocks. It's likely the senior surpasses those numbers this year assuming she stays healthy.

"We'll be coming at teams from every direction," Ban added. "If you think you'll only have to block the middle for Gia, she'll be coming at you from the outside."

5. First Baptist

Coach: Marci Walker (13th season)

Last year: 10-7, missed playoffs (lost to Canterbury in Class 3A-District 12 championship)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 18-7

Season outlook: Throughout Walker's tenure as head coach, the Lions have had a knack for holding their own despite having a lack of depth. In 2023, don't expect much difference.

First Baptist enters this season ranked fifth in our preseason poll, but could very well find its way inside the top three before seasons end. A host of returners, headlined by Grand Canyon beach volleyball commit Zara Stewart, will be one of the more experienced programs locally that could give multiple area teams problems.

Stewart is coming off a year in which she finished with 110 kills, 158 digs, and 300 assists as she was tasked with doing a little bit of everything. That's what she's done since 2018 as a sixth-grader, posting a career total of 574 kills, 269 aces, 1,326 digs, 523 assists, and 32 blocks heading into her junior season.

"I think we're pretty well-rounded," Walker said. "I think with switching some things up and adding Zara into more of an all-around capacity rather than just setting is going to be beneficial. She'll be able to be more effective in multiple areas."

While Stewart may be the clear-cut alpha, the Lions have plenty of star power surrounding her. Peyton Garrick (98 kills, 119 digs) will enter her sophomore season, while Josie Hendricks (79 kills) will be the program's lone senior. Laila Stewart will be a freshman after posting 137 digs as an eighth-grader. Maleda Azunque (52 kills, 26 blocks) enters her junior season and will be tasked with being a force up front with her 5-foot-10 frame.

Entering her eighth-grade year, Jade Rau is primed to be a reliable libero for Walker. Rau showed plenty of promise as a seventh grader, tallying 109 serve receptions. She has looked impressive in preseason practices heading into the year.

"I think we're steady," Walker said. "The goal is to be consistent rather than be up and down. Even though they're young, they're mature as playing together. It's not everyone's first year, even though we have a lot of youth."

6. Gulf Coast

Coach: John Alvarez (first season)

Last year: 17-9, made playoffs (lost to Plant in Class 7A-Region 3 semifinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 14-8

Season outlook: Taking over a program can sometimes be a tough transition, but that hasn't been the case for first-year head coach John Alvarez.

With plenty of pieces back from last year's squad to still make noise, Alvarez sees potential in the Sharks to continue the success they've had following Christy Wright's retirement after last season. With the opening of Aubrey Rogers, Gulf Coast successfully appealed their way down two classes from 7A to 5A, putting them in the same district as rival Barron Collier.

"I feel very fortunate," Alvarez said. "This entire group of athletes has been great. The school has been extremely welcoming. The families have been welcoming, and the seniors have been beyond helpful this offseason just getting things organized and spreading the word with everybody. ... They've been a phenomenal resource and have responded well. I think they want to compete and do their thing. I'm happy to be with them, and I think they want to have one final good season. I don't think they care who's at the reins. They want to be pushed this year. They're about it."

Returning this season for Gulf Coast is Kate Drasba, who gave the program a lot of versatility as a junior. Drasba posted 120 kills, 170 digs, 364 serve receptions, and 34 aces. Libero Casey Williams (315 digs, 327 serve receptions) and setter Marina Rau (410 assists) are also back for their senior seasons, giving this year's program plenty of experience.

Rau primarily split time with Aisha Keric on the setting front, but is expected to run the offense fully with a little bit of hitting sprinkled in, per Alvarez. Kiley Stone (91 digs, 145 serve receptions) will have a more enhanced role this season as a defensive specialist, as will Brooke Pierce in the middle, who had 51 kills along with a .276 hitting percentage in 2022.

7. Community School of Naples

Coach: Alicia MacIntyre Ewerth (eighth season)

Last year: 8-7, missed playoffs (lost to First Baptist in Class 3A-District 12 semifinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 13-10

Season outlook: Facing a younger group compared to years past, MacIntyre Ewerth knows that buy-in is critical, especially with younger kids who are poised to gain varsity experience.

Being from Indiana, it's been easy for MacIntyre Ewerth to get girls to embrace a blue-collar mentality. So much so, there's been times this year when she's had difficulty getting her players to leave the gym because they wanted to get additional work in.

"They all buy in, that's a huge part of it," MacIntyre Ewerth said. "They love each other. Having that team chemistry, I'm really excited for this year. ... I cannot get them out of the gym. This is the highlight of this team so far. They want to be here all the time. I give them a day off, and they make time to come in (on the off day). They want to be in the gym, they want to get better, and that is this team. They enjoy each other and have that comradery."

The Seahawks are still going to be very underclassmen heavy, carrying just a pair of seniors with four girls apiece vying for the starting libero and setter positions. Entering her junior season, Kelly McAuley will be the one making things happen on the attack for Community School, along with Lizzy Robinson as she enters her sophomore season.

"Every time I see her, she looks taller to me," MacIntyre Ewerth added. "I don't know if she ever stops growing. I'm never going to complain about that. She's been on varsity since eighth grade, and she was behind that team (in 2021) that was a very solid team in the area. She hardly played, and she just practiced and practiced and practiced. Now that it's her time, she has grown a lot. ... She thrived in club season, played all around and outside for them. She's committed to the game and still growing."

8. Fort Myers

Coach: Shannon Puder (third season)

Last year: 10-9, made playoffs (lost to Land O' Lakes in Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 18-7

Season outlook: The Green Wave returned to form last year by capturing a district title, but saw their season end in heartbreak a game later to Land O' Lakes in five sets. The Gators managed to get to the Class 6A state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion New Smyrna Beach, making last year's season sting just a little more for Puder and Fort Myers.

"We have great team chemistry on and off the court," Puder said. "They're friends, first and foremost, and teammates, which is helpful. Hopefully in crunch time situations that will be one of our key assets. We've been developing that in strength and conditioning over the summer and in the spring. A lot of these girls have played varsity before and JV, so they have that relationship and culture in the locker room, which has been huge."

The good news for the Greenies? They're currently the favorites to win Class 6A-District 12 once again, headlined by a pair of juniors in Ashlee Tenkley (142 kills, 175 digs, 33 aces) and Gabby Dwyer (122 kills, 140 digs, 32 aces). If Fort Myers can get back to the postseason in what was a one-bid district a season ago, it's possible that the team can make a deeper run that could carry over into November.

9. St. John Neumann

Coach: Tito Martinez (second season)

Last year: 12-9, made playoffs (lost to Tampa Bay HEAT in Class 2A-Region 3 quarterfinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 13-9

Season outlook: In his first season, Martinez snapped a 22-year playoff drought leading the Celtics. This year, the sky's the limit for a Neumann squad that returns a vast majority relative to a year ago.

"They're still young, but mental-wise, they're getting tougher and they're getting better," Martinez said. "They're learning how to play the game. That's the difference. They came in with more hunger this offseason. They want it more. They want to perform better and they want more than that. Mentally, they're getting stronger and more smart about the game."

One prime example of that was seen a season ago when Neumann played Community School on two separate occasions over the course of a month. Down two sets to none, Neumann managed to force a fourth set before losing 3-1 to the Seahawks. Nearly a month later, Neumann was up 2-1 on CSN before falling in a competitive five-set match.

With Taylor Chatigny (112 kills, 26 kills) back for her junior season, along with sophomore Callee Jones (82 kills, 42 aces, 203 digs, 192 serve receptions), the Celtics are a team to keep tabs on. Chatigny doesn't just give the Celtics stability at outside hitter but also knows what it's like to win a state championship. As a freshman, she was on the roster for Seacrest's state title in 2021.

With Shanie Sedio now gone, it'll be up to Sofia Vargas, Hailey Scheffler, and First Baptist transfer Melody Charlton to fill the role at setter. Mary Alice Hussey is expected to be up front for the Celtics after posting 81 kills and 31 blocks in 2022. With Sophia McCartney having recently committed to Army for basketball, she opted not to play volleyball this year, giving Hussey a chance to shine up front through multiple rotations.

10. Bishop Verot

Coach: Christy Curtis (first season)

Last year: 8-11, missed playoffs (lost to Canterbury in Class 3A-District 12 semifinal)

2023 Projected Regular Season Record: 13-12

Season outlook: In her first season, Curtis has the pieces to make things happen for the Vikings.

A senior-heavy team led by Ella Portu, Kerrigan Habing, Marissa Peck, and Diana Ahkmetova should be capable of turning the team around. Habing averaged 3.2 kills per set in 27 sets recorded to MaxPreps last year and hopes to stay healthy for a full season.

"We do have a lot of seniors, so that's really helpful," Curtis said. "I have eight seniors, and all of them can be contributors this year. Ella is a force at the net, and Kerrigan is a great leader on this team."

After an 0-7 start under Luis Rodriguez a season ago, Verot won eight of its final 12 games, showing promise down the stretch that the Vikings were better than their 8-11 record. Verot gave Canterbury a real scare in the Class 3A-District 12 tournament, up two sets to one before falling in a five-set heartbreaker. Less than a month before that, the team managed just 10, 11, and 9 points on the losing end of a sweep.

The Vikings are slated to face multiple talented programs in Estero, Canterbury, First Baptist, and most notably, Seacrest Country Day, the defending champions in Class 2A. Those two squads will face on Aug. 22 in the regular season opener for both sides.

"I do feel good about our schedule," Curtis said. "We do have Seacrest right out of the gate, so that will be a true test in the beginning and we'll see where we're at in the end."

First Five Out: Riverdale, North Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, Mariner

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Barron Collier, Seacrest, Canterbury atop SWFL 2023 preseason volleyball rankings