The 2026 Western North Carolina high school volleyball season is in its final two weeks ahead of the playoffs.
There are three top 10 matchups this week, including a showdown between the top two teams.
Here are the WNC high school volleyball Super 10 rankings after Week 8.
1. Franklin (24-0)
No. 2 West Henderson is the only team between the Panthers and an undefeated regular season. Franklin defeated the Falcons 3-2 on Sept. 10.
This week: at No. 2 West Henderson (Oct. 6). Last week: No. 1.
2. West Henderson (24-2)
Middle hitter Kaitlyn Auten led the Falcons to a 3-0 win vs. No. 10 Smoky Mountain on Sept. 29. She recorded 11 kills in the victory.
This week: vs. No. 1 Fraklin
(Oct. 6). Last week: No. 2.
3. Cherokee (24-7)
Outside hitter Daisee Fourkiller-Raby guided the Braves to a sweep against Brevard. She tallied 11 kills and 14 digs in the win. They only have two losses against WNC competition: No. 1 Franklin and No. 2 West Henderson.
This week: vs. Robbinsville (Oct. 5). Last week: No. 5.
4. Hendersonville (15-6)
The Bearcats climb up this week's rankings after securing a 3-2 win vs. No. 7 Owen on Oct. 1. Five different players recorded double-digit kills. Hendersonville has also won six in a row.
This week: vs. Avery County (Oct. 6), at Mountain Heritage (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 6.
5. Reynolds (20-7)
Outside hitter Cora Jones racked up 13 kills and 14 digs to lead the Rockets to a 3-1 win over No. 6 Asheville Christian Academy on Oct. 3. They have won five straight matches.
This week: vs. No. 8 Roberson (Oct. 7), vs. North Buncombe (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 8.
6. Asheville Christian Academy (13-6)
Middle hitter Olivia Johnson and outside hitter Reece Shuman combined for 36 kills, four blocks and 17 digs in the loss vs. No. 5 Reynolds last week.
This week: at Carolina Day (Oct. 5), vs. No. 7 Owen (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 3.
7. Owen (14-4)
The Warhorses and the No. 4 Bearcats are on pace to split the Western Highlands Conference championship after they split their regular season meetings. Outside hitter Mia Roland poured in 16 kills, two blocks and 18 digs in a 3-2 loss vs. Hendersonville last week.
This week: at Madison (Oct. 6), at No. 6 Asheville Christian Academy (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 4.
8. Roberson (18-8)
The Rams have won three in a row since falling to Cherokee 2-0 on Sept. 26. They earned a 3-1 win vs. Asheville High on Oct. 1.
This week: at No. 5 Reynolds (Oct. 7), vs. Erwin (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 9.
9. Murphy (15-5)
The Bulldogs have won five straight since being swept by No. 1 Franklin on Sept. 21. They have only dropped two sets during the winning streak.
This week: vs. Swain County (Oct. 6), vs. Hayesville (Oct. 8). Last week: No. 10.
10. Smoky Mountain (13-6)
The Mustangs suffered losses to No. 1 Franklin and No. 2 West Henderson last week. Outside hitter Macy Craft collected 10 kills, two blocks and 14 digs in the defeat to the Falcons.
This week: vs. Andrews (Oct. 5), vs. North Henderson (Oct. 6). Last week: No. 9.
Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Why three teams rise in latest WNC Super 10 Volleyball Rankings for Week 9?
