NMPreps New Mexico High School Volleyball Week 3 Team Rankings
As the high school volleyball season heats up, several teams across New Mexico are making strong cases for themselves in the early rankings. Week 3 of the NMPreps Top 20 Volleyball Team Rankings sees dominant performances from defending state champions and rising contenders alike. Here’s a breakdown of the top teams so far this season.No. 1 Las Cruces Bulldawgs (7-0 overall)
The defending 5A state champions are off to a scorching start, boasting a perfect 7-0 record. The Bulldawgs have only dropped two sets out of 22 played, showcasing their depth and dominance. Junior Addison Massey leads the team with 66 kills and 33 digs, while senior Emma Rosa Barrera adds 38 digs. Sydney Pipkin has been a force from the service line with 14 aces. The Bulldawgs are looking like strong contenders to repeat as state champs.No. 2 La Cueva Bears (1-0 overall)
La Cueva opened their season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Cleveland on September 3rd. Senior Karyna Werley posted a standout performance with 22 kills and 13 digs, while fellow senior Chloe Chafins added 24 digs and 3 aces. Sophomore Jula Utash was a key contributor as well, racking up 16 kills in the win. With more games ahead, La Cueva looks to build on their early success.No. 3 St. Pius X Sartans (3-0 overall)
The reigning 4A state champions are off to a flawless start, winning all nine sets in their first three matches against Cibola, Rio Rancho, and Los Alamos. The Sartans are proving that their championship form has carried over into the new season as they continue to show their strength on both offense and defense.No. 4 Cibola Cougars (3-1 overall)
After an opening loss to St. Pius X, the Cougars have rebounded in impressive fashion, going 3-1 to start the season. Last year’s 5A state runner-up team is once again positioning itself as a top contender with solid wins under its belt.No. 5 St. Michael’s Horsemen (4-0 overall)
The two-time defending 3A state champions are off to a strong 4-0 start with wins over Los Alamos, Sandia Prep, Pojoaque Valley, and West Mesa. The Horsemen continue to dominate, maintaining their championship pedigree.No. 6 Santa Fe Demons (5-0 overall)
Santa Fe is blazing through the early part of the season with a perfect 5-0 record. Key wins over Clovis, Rio Rancho, and Farmington show their potential to make a deep postseason run. The Demons also defeated Rio Grande and Miyamura in solid performances.No. 7 Cleveland Storm (3-2 overall)
After strong early wins over Albuquerque and Los Lunas, Cleveland stumbled against top teams La Cueva and Las Cruces. However, they quickly bounced back with a win over Centennial. A showdown with undefeated Santa Fe on September 17th could shake up the rankings.No. 8 Albuquerque Bulldogs (3-1 overall)
The Bulldogs are off to a solid start with key wins over Sandia and Volcano Vista. Their only loss came at the hands of Cibola. Albuquerque is showing potential as a contender in 5A as they look to build on their early-season momentum.No. 9 Volcano Vista Hawks (3-1 overall)
Volcano Vista earned quality wins over Eldorado, Sandia, and West Mesa but stumbled in a loss to Albuquerque. Senior Skylar Schwartz has been a standout for the Hawks, and they’ll be looking to regain their winning ways in the coming weeks.No. 10 Hope Christian Huskies (4-0 overall)
The Sartans aren’t the only 4A team to watch, as Hope Christian has started the season 5-0. With key wins over Sandia and Sandia Prep, the Huskies are making a strong case for themselves early on. An upcoming match against undefeated Belen will be a major test.No. 11 Rio Rancho Rams (1-2 overall)
After a rough 0-2 start against St. Pius X and Santa Fe, Rio Rancho earned a much-needed win over Silver. The Rams will be looking to find consistency as the season progresses.No. 12 Clovis Wildcats (3-1 overall)
The Wildcats dropped their season opener to Santa Fe but have since won three straight, putting them in position to climb the rankings with continued success.No. 13 Los Lunas Tigers (3-2 overall)
Despite losses to top teams Las Cruces and Cleveland, the Tigers have earned solid wins over Roswell, Gadsden, and Centennial to start the season at 3-2.No. 14 Roswell Coyotes (4-1 overall)
After an opening-night loss to Los Lunas, Roswell has strung together four straight wins, including victories over Lovington, Artesia, and Organ Mountain. They’re looking like a team to watch in 5A.No. 15 Eldorado Eagles (3-1 overall)
Eldorado dropped their season opener to Volcano Vista but rebounded with three straight wins, gaining momentum as they head into the APS Metro Championships.No. 16 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (4-1 overall)
The Chargers, runners-up in last year’s 4A state championship, have bounced back from an opening loss to Eldorado with four straight wins over Sandia, Texico, Hot Springs, and Portales. They look like a serious contender in 4A once again.No. 17 Portales Rams (4-1 overall)
Portales has quietly started the season with a 3-0 record, winning all nine sets in their first three matches. Wins over Ruidoso, Hobbs, and Robertson have them rising in the rankings. Lone loss to Albuquerque Academy.No. 18 Hobbs Eagles (2-3 overall)
Hobbs has faced tough competition early, dropping matches to Portales, El Paso-area teams, and Plainview, Texas. However, they’ve rebounded with a win over Mayfield and sit at 2-3.No. 19 Silver Colts (5-1 overall)
The Colts started their season strong with a 5-0 run but suffered their first loss last Saturday to Rio Rancho, 3-1. Silver remains a team to watch as they look to bounce back.No. 20 Mayfield Trojans (4-4 overall)
Mayfield’s season has been a rollercoaster with quality wins over Carlsbad and Gadsden, but the Trojans have also suffered losses to Hobbs and Silver. They sit at 4-4 and will need to find consistency to move up the rankings.Next up: Gadsden, Piedra Vista, Farmington, Goddard, and Centennial are teams on the rise and could break into the Top 20 soon with strong performances in the coming weeks.
