Week 1 of the 2026 North Carolina High School Athletic Association volleyball season is in the rearview mirror.
That means it's time to kick off the Citizen Times and Times-News weekly WNC high school Super 10 Volleyball Rankings.
Asheville Christian Academy, Franklin and Cherokee finished as the top three teams
in our final 2025 power rankings. All three teams are expected to be near the top in 2026.Here are our first rankings after Week 1.
1. Franklin (2-0)
The Panthers swept No. 9 Cherokee and Enka last week. Outside hitter Audrey Pressley recorded 23 kills and setter Bristol
Brooks racked up 70 assists in both victories.
This week: vs. Kings Mountain (Aug. 18), vs. East Henderson (Aug. 20), vs. East Rutherford (Aug.22), vs. East Lincoln (Aug. 22), vs. East Gaston (Aug. 22)
2. Asheville High (3-0)
The Cougars had arguably the best season in program history in 2025, winning their first conference championship. They started off 2026 well, sweeping Madison, East Henderson and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Ga.) last week. Outside hitter Gabby Rollins collected 19 kills in the win against Madison.
This week: at Greenville (S.C.) (Aug. 17), vs. No. 3 Asheville Christian Academy (Aug. 19), Showdown at the Sunsphere (Aug. 21), Showdown at the Sunsphere (Aug. 22)
3. Asheville Christian Academy (5-1)
Outside hitter Reece Shuman had 14 kills to lead the Lions to a 2-0 win vs. Calvary Day School on Aug. 14. They went 5-1 in a tournament this past weekend, only falling to Charlotte Latin 2-1.
This week: at No. 2 Asheville High (Aug. 19), vs. Asheville Trailblazers (Aug. 21)
4. West Henderson (2-0)
Outside hitter Giselle White recorded 11 kills, 17 digs and two blocks in a 3-1 win vs. Ashe County. The Falcons also defeated Reynolds 3-0 last week.
This week: vs. No. 8 Owen (Aug. 17), at No. 7 Polk County (Aug. 18), at No. 5 Brevard (Aug. 20)
5. Brevard (2-0)
Outside hitter Kynna McCall racked up 19 kills to lead the Blue Devils to a 3-2 win in their season opener vs. Draughn. She then followed that up with 11 kills in a sweep vs. Enka.
This week: at Reynolds (Aug. 18), vs. No. 4 West Henderson (Aug. 20)
6. Roberson (5-2)
The Rams opened the 2026 season with victories against Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Ga.) and Pisgah, then went 3-2 in a tournament this past weekend. Their two losses came to Middle Creek and Grimsley.
This week: at Avery County (Aug. 17), vs. East Rutherford (Aug. 18)
7. Polk County (2-0)
Outside hitter Reeve Carroll combined for 20 kills and 29 digs after a pair of victories against East Rutherford and R-S Central.
This week: vs. No. 4 West Henderson (Aug. 18), vs. R-S Central (Aug. 20)
8. Owen (2-0)
Middle hitter Adeline West paced the Warhorses to a 3-1 win vs. Enka, recording 10 kills and seven blocks in the victory. She also recorded seven blocks in a 3-0 win against Erwin.
This week: at No. 4 West Henderson (Aug. 17), at Reynolds (Aug. 20)
9. Cherokee (2-1)
The Braves were swept by No. 1 Franklin last week, but they also picked up two victories against Nantahala and Highlands.
This week: vs. Pisgah (Aug. 17), at Summit Charter Academy (Aug. 18)
10. Mitchell (3-0)
The Mountaineers defeated McDowell, North Buncombe and Erwin in Week 1. Setter Lanie Miller had 31 assists in the 3-1 win against McDowell.
This week: vs. McDowell (Aug. 17), at North Buncombe (Aug. 18)
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: Who tops WNC's first Super 10 Volleyball Rankings for 2026 season?
