As the season nears, Strib Varsity writer Marcus Fuller ranks Minnesota’s top 25 girls volleyball teams:

The Minnesota Top 25

1. Lakeville South: Eight players return from the defending Class 4A state champion Cougars, including junior all-state outside hitter Romi Chlebecek (committed to Denver), senior all-state setter/right side Kaelyn Bjorklund (Clemson) and junior outside hitter Elle Utecht (Lipscomb).
2. Lakeville North: A top Miss Volleyball candidate, senior setter and Creighton recruit Rayna Christianson leads the Panthers, who will try to make state for the first time since 2022.
3. Maple Grove: The Crimson bring back a strong core that just missed their first state berth, falling to Champlin Park in five games in the section final last season.
4. Prior Lake: Kentucky recruit and senior libero Sidney Burley tries to help the Lakers bounce back after being upset at sections as a top seed.
5. East Ridge: The Raptors return seven players from a team that finished third in Class 4A, including junior middle blocker Lauren Bunge, a Texas Tech recruit.
6. Eagan: The Wildcats, led by Gophers recruit and senior libero Madi Kraft, are the only team to keep East Ridge from state (2023) in the past four years.
7. Marshall: The returning state runner-up Tigers are the team to beat in Class 3A after defending champion Alexandria moved up to 4A this year.
8. Delano: The top seed in the 3A state tournament last year, these Tigers are led by senior libero and all-state pick Kaelyn Wittwer.
9. Chanhassen: The Storm return 11 players from a team that includes two of the Metro West’s top outside hitters, sophomore Ella Zieske and senior Bryn Lunski, a St. Thomas recruit.
10. Centennial: The state’s No. 1-ranked senior prospect and future Gopher, middle blocker Elena Hoecke leads a Cougars squad returning size and experience.
11. Roseville: The Raiders have 11 returners from a 27-win state tournament team, including All-Suburban East junior setter/right side Leah Biyadglign.
12. Anoka: Can senior all-state outside hitter and Arizona recruit Hayden Reeder get the Tornadoes to the state tournament for the third straight season?
13. Wayzata: It doesn’t seem long ago when the Trojans couldn’t be stopped during their Class 4A state championship three-peat, and they could have the talent to rise again.
14. St. Michael-Albertville: The Knights have seniors back who helped them win 25 games and reach their first state tournament in 16 years.
15. Champlin Park: Replacing current Gophers freshman Carly Gilk and coach John Yunker will be tough, but the Rebels return a handful of players from their Class 4A runner-up squad.
16. New Prague: The Trojans face an uphill battle in the same section with the Lakeville schools, but they’re dangerous behind seniors Kira Brundage and Kyla Klein.
17. Willmar: There arguably isn’t a better passer in the state than junior setter and Michigan State recruit Ellery DeBoer.
18. Rogers: The Royals have a shot at their fourth state appearance in five years, but they lost Miss Volleyball Anya Schmidt, now at St. Thomas.
19. Alexandria: The Cardinals will have to adjust to Class 4A after winning the Class 3A state title.
20. Hawley: Another defending state champion, the Nuggets should be the top contender to win it all in Class 2A.
21. Stewartville: Eight players are back for the Tigers from their fourth-place finish in Class 3A.
22. Chatfield: After a tight Class 2A state semifinal loss last season to Hawley, the Gophers return an experienced group with something to prove.
23. Mayer Lutheran: The Keaveny twins, Izzy and Clara, give the defending Class 1A champions a good chance to win their second title in four years.
24. Minneota: The Class 1A runner-up Vikings will again be the biggest threat to replace Mayer Lutheran on top.
25. Benilde-St. Margaret’s: Sophomore right side Avery Minor is making a case she’s the top prospect in the state’s 2028 class.