Redondo Union’s comeback win over Mater Dei Sept. 5 enabled the Sea Hawks to take over sole possession of the top spot in the Sept. 10 CIF-Southern Section girls’ volleyball rankings, as well as keep their hold on No. 1 in the national survey.

Trailing two sets to none, Redondo Union (15-0) rallied to beat the Monarchs 24-26, 22-25, 29-27, 25-20, 15-8 in a match that pitted the country’s top two teams as rated by Maxpreps’ “Xcellent 25” poll. The loss dropped Mater Dei (3-1) to No. 3 nationally while Redondo Union stayed at No. 1.

In the CIF-SS Divisions 1 & 2 poll, the Sea Hawks and Monarchs are one-two, after being tied for No. 1 last week, with the distinct possibility of facing one another when playoffs come around in late October. 

Marymount (8-0) — which plays Redondo Union in Westwood Sept. 24 — is still third among D-1 & 2 schools, which will be separated at playoff time, and seventh nationally.

The new CIF-SS polls show local Catholic schools ranked in all nine girls’ volleyball divisions, with La Salle still second in D-3 and St. Anthony still third in D-4. Chaminade moved into ninth with La Reina tenth in D-5; St. Bonaventure climbed into ninth and Providence/Burbank into tenth in D-6; Sacred Heart remained eighth in D-7 and Ramona Convent third in D-8; and Santa Clara rose from eighth to sixth in D-9.

Listed among “others” (just outside the rankings) are Santa Margarita (D-1 & 2), Mary Star (D-6), and St. Monica Academy of Montrose (D-8).

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

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