1. Oaks Christian (16-2, 6-0 Marmonte)
Comment: Staying unbeaten in the Marmonte League is no easy feat, but the Lions look poised to do it for the first time since 2023. Outside hitter Elyse Wong has been a revelation, logging 37 kills, 17 digs and seven aces in the Lions’ two rivalry wins over Thousand Oaks.
2. Newbury Park (27-8, 5-1 Marmonte)
Comment: In defeating Thousand Oaks 3-1 in its home gym Sept. 24, the Panthers snapped a six-match losing streak to their Conejo Valley rival dating back to 2022 and earned a celebratory pool plunge postgame. Outside hitter Laney Knopp had a team-high 18 kills in the victory.
3. Thousand Oaks (20-5, 2-4 Marmonte)
Comment: The Lancers have taken a stumble in league, dropping matches to Newbury Park and Westlake, but their star power at pin hitter hasn’t allowed them to fall far in the CIF-Southern Section ratings.
At No. 51, they are still Ventura County’s highest-ranked team.
4. Oak Park (17-8, 5-0 Coastal Canyon)
Comment: The Eagles snatched the lead in the Coastal Canyon League race with a 3-1 win at Royal on Sept. 24 road and stand as the last undefeated team in league. Setter Avyn McGugan set a program record with 54 assists in a win over Crescenta Valley last month.
5. Royal (15-6, 4-1 Coastal Canyon)
Comment: Senior outside hitter Ella Ragland broke out for 28 kills, 19 digs and three aces in a win over Moorpark on Sept. 15. The Highlanders will need more heroics from the Simi Valley transfer to catch Oak Park and capture a share of the Coastal Canyon League title.
6. Ventura (10-8, 4-1 Channel)
Comment: The Cougars tested their mettle against the county’s best in the preseason, playing Oaks Christian, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Oak Park. If Ventura can win its last three matches, it will clinch at least a share of the Channel League title for the first time since 2023.
7. Westlake (8-9, 2-4 Marmonte)
Comment: The Warriors’ last win over Thousand Oaks was Oct. 4, 2021, until their cathartic five-set victory on Sept. 17. To reach .500 and qualify for a potential at-large bid to the playoffs, they will need to win at least three of their next four matches. A murderer's row of Agoura, Thousand Oaks, Oaks Christian and Newbury Park awaits.
8. Moorpark (11-10, 2-3 Coastal Canyon)
Comment: The Musketeers are on track to nab an auto qualifier for the playoffs in head coach Ashley Lake’s first season at the helm. A matchup with fourth-place Camarillo looms.
9. Camarillo (11-11, 1-4 Coastal Canyon)
Comment: Do-or-die matchups with Moorpark and Oak Park highlight the final week of league action for the Scorpions as they hunt for a playoff bid.
10. Oxnard (12-14, 3-2 Channel)
Comment: Senior Maya Cunningham is leading the Yellowjackets in nearly every statistical category, including kills (219), aces (36), blocks (23) and assists (256). She is third in digs with 172.
11. Agoura (7-12, 1-5 Marmonte)
Comment: Reinforcements arrived for the Chargers at the end of the sit-out period in the form of outside hitter Addison Wheeler (Louisville). What can she and star outside Aylee Pizzo do over the final three games of league?
12. Foothill Tech (12-5, 8-2 Tri-Valley)
Comment: The Dragons are in pole position in the Tri-Valley League with two matches left to play before the playoffs. Is a deep postseason campaign in the cards again?
13. Nordhoff (13-4, 5-0 Citrus Coast)
Comment: Led by returners Wren Zimmermann, Ashlyn Haley and Audrey Churpek and coming off a Division 9 semifinals berth, the Rangers are eyeing another playoff run.
14. St. Bonaventure (14-5, 6-3 Tri-Valley)
Comment: Outside hitter Zoe Benton and setter Chelsea McCalister have the Seraphs battling near the top of a crowded Tri-Valley League race.
15. Rio Mesa (9-15, 3-1 Pacific View)
Comment: Led by Sammy Alvarez and Lisette Cousino, the Spartans split the season series with Pacifica (14-5, 3-2). Rio Mesa is in an all-Oxnard battle with the Tritons for second place.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The Star's top girls volleyball teams midway through league
