Tower Hill volleyball teams last season in the state championship photo courtesy of Nick Halliday

View from the baseline: Preseason volleyball rankings

Jason WinchellHigh Schools, Sports

Tower Hill volleyball teams last season in the state championship photo courtesy of Nick Halliday

Tower Hill volleyball teams last season in the state championship, photo courtesy of Nick Halliday

It’s only half a week, but the 2023 high school volleyball season gets going with a bang on Wednesday night, with defending champion Tower Hill traveling to Broom Street to meet Padua, a match that will be streamed live on Delaware Live sports.

But that’s just one of 11 matches on the schedule for the season’s first day. Other notable contests include Concord at Christiana in the Vikings’ first since being moved up to Blue Hen Conference Flight A, along with Las Americas Aspira Academy hosting its first varsity match against Seaford in its new facility in Newark.

Saint Mark’s, who finished second last year, opens Thursday at St. Georges. The Hawks have some height and will challenge in Flight A. The other big match on Thursday pits Smyrna against Archmere in Claymont. On Friday, Delmarva Christian — last season’s pleasant surprise — visits Cape Henlopen, and Ursuline travels to Delaware Military on Saturday.

For the time being, everyone is 0-0, but that won’t stop Delaware Live from putting together a preseason top 10. Expect these to change until the season gets into a rhythm.

Top 10

No. 1 Tower Hill The champs are No. 1 until someone says differently

No. 2 Smyrna Loaded Eagles lose little and add an all-state caliber hitter

No. 3 Saint Mark’s Doubting the Spartans can be hazardous to your health

No. 4 Archmere  Auks have most of their pieces back

No. 5 Delmarva Christian Royals have the talent to overcome graduations

No. 6 Caravel Tough schedule awaits after program’s best year

No. 7 Delaware Military  Seahawks will be tough defensively

No. 8 Newark Charter Two big hitters lead the Patriots

No. 9 Padua A year of experience will help Pandas rebound

No. 10 Ursuline Raiders looking forward to bounce-back campaign

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