Even though we're only two weeks into the 2026 volleyball season in Greater Cincinnati, there has been constant top-notch action and a few surprising results.
As we enter the first full calendar month, the competition really kicks up a notch as teams begin to round into form for the postseason.
Here is the first power ranking of the season. All records and stats are updated through Sept. 1.
Next up: Mason, Springboro, St. Henry, Anderson, Harrison, Milford, Roger Bacon, Ryle, Wyoming, Bishop Brossart, Taylor
10. Notre Dame Pandas (5-3)
After starting 4-0, the Pandas have dropped three of their last four matches, winning just one set in losses to McNicholas and St. Ursula, then getting reverse swept by St. Henry. The roster is still gelling and coaches Madison Salkowski and Hannah
Colvin have plenty of opportunities against high-quality opponents to find the right rotations.
Upcoming schedule: at Mercy (Sept. 2)
9. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Eagles (7-0)
The Eagles are already showing their potential to be a factor in the Division III postseason brackets. They beat Bellbrook and Centerville in best-of-five matches on the same day, proving they have the stamina to compete with any team on their schedule. Angel Hernandez built a schedule to allow this team to prove itself, as CHCA will face McNick, Fenwick, St. Ursula and Notre Dame.
Upcoming schedule: vs. New Bremen (Sept. 5)
8. Kings Knights (5-3)
The Knights are on their first winning streak of the season, thanks to triumphs over Olentangy Orange and Milford. Even with a rough start to 2026, they haven't taken consecutive losses. Kings' youth has really shone through as Dri Naranjo brings versatility to a 6-2 system. Sammi Wehrman has taken the most swings and has a .384 hitting percentage.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Anderson (Sept. 3), at Little Miami (Sept. 8)
7. Mount Notre Dame Cougars (4-2)
It's still early in the season, but the Cougars are looking like one of the top Division II teams in the state. They own wins over Padua Franciscan, Kings and St. Joseph, and got revenge for last season's state semifinal loss to Anthony Wayne. They did lose a five-setter against Ursuline but put on an incredibly gritty display. With no new faces on the roster, Dani Szczepanski has deployed a combination of rotations with all but two players appearing in every set. So far, so good for MND.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mercy McAuley (Sept. 3), vs. Seton (Sept. 8)
6. Beechwood Tigers (9-1)
The Tigers are on the prowl and have as much momentum as any team in Kentucky. They played their first nine matches in nine days, only falling to top-ranked Assumption. Beechwood has already played in two tournaments and is coming off wins against No. 6 St. Henry and No. 7 Lexington Catholic. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 13 in the state but expect them to be in the top 10 later this week.
Upcoming schedule: at Holy Cross (Sept. 10)
5. St. Ursula Bulldogs (3-1)
The Bulldogs haven't had a three-set sweep so far, but maybe that's for the better. They had to grind out wins over Kings and Notre Dame, encountering scenarios in both matches that prepared them for the postseason. Lucy Waleskowski is at the top of every team's scouting report, while fellow sophomores Parker Terrill and Jean DeBow have helped dominate at the net.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Ursuline (Sept. 3), vs. Magnificat (Sept. 5), vs. Gilmour Academy (Sept. 5), at Mercy McAuley (Sept. 8)
4. Ursuline Lions (4-0)
The Lions will only play Catholic schools until they host Centerville on Sept. 26. Plenty of those matches are either against rivals (MND and Seton) or the top teams in the state (Gilmour Academy and Magnificat). The first full week of the season brought a dominant win against Louisville Mercy, one of the top teams in Kentucky. Willow Smith and Hannah Williams both had 11 kills, while Smith and Annamarie Rajavarma both had four blocks.
Upcoming schedule: at. St. Ursula (Sept. 3), vs. Gilmour Academy (Sept. 5), vs. Magnificat (Sept. 5),
3. McNicholas Rockets (3-1)
The Rockets cruised to wins over a young Sycamore team and league foe Carroll, then passed their first test of the season against Notre Dame before getting reverse swept at Fenwick. Despite the switch to a 5-1 system, Darlene Tierney has her squad's offense running as fast as ever. The defense has rarely let the ball hit the floor as three of their four opponents have landed 21 or fewer attacks.
Upcoming schedule: at Chaminade Julienne (Sept. 3), at Turpin (Sept. 5), vs. Carroll (Sept. 8)
2. Fenwick Falcons (6-0)
A four-set win over St. Ursula really set the tone for what this season can be for the Falcons. They followed that up with a reverse sweep of McNicholas, proving they are among the elite teams in DIV. Morgan Meiring is averaging over 12 kills per match, and sophomore Stella Epperson and junior Andrea Ptaszkiewicz have already combined for 32 blocks.
Upcoming schedule: at Badin (Sept. 3), at Chaminade Julienne (Sept. 8)
1. Seton Saints (7-0)
After dispatching Turpin and Milford, the Saints made their first statement of the season by winning the Columbus Invitational Tournament with ease. As expected, Charley Moeddel has been the top player at the net while Charlotte Holm has also impressed in an increased role.
Upcoming schedule: at Lakota West (Sept. 2), at Chaminade Julienne (Sept. 8)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Seton, Fenwick top initial 2026 girls volleyball power rankings
