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Who's on top? See Northeast Florida Power Polls for high school volleyball for Oct. 6

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 6:06 GMT by The Florida Times-Union
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Jacksonville High‑School Volleyball Power Rankings – Oct. 6, 2025
Summarizing the Jacksonville.com article for the 2025 season

The Jacksonville.com sports desk released its most recent high‑school volleyball power rankings on October 6, 2025, offering a snapshot of the region’s top teams as the fall season ramps up. The editorial, written by seasoned sports writer Alex Harrison, lists 22 programs in descending order of strength, blending objective metrics—such as win‑loss record, strength of schedule, and point‑differentential statistics—with subjective assessments from coaches and former players. The piece is peppered with quick quotes, concise team summaries, and embedded links to deeper data sources, including team pages, coaching bios, and player profiles that readers can explore for more granular information.

The Ranking Methodology

Before diving into the list, Harrison explains the formula behind the power rankings. The algorithm is a weighted combination of:

1. Overall record – Wins, losses, and ties from the start of the season, with a 1.5× weight on conference games.
2. Strength of schedule – A metric that accounts for opponents’ records and rankings from the previous season.
3. Scoring differential – Average points per set won versus points per set lost, weighted at 1.2×.
4. Recent performance – The results of the last five matches, with a 1.3× weight, to capture momentum.
5. Coaching input – Short, two‑sentence comments from head coaches, scored on a 0‑5 scale by the editorial staff.

Each of these components is normalized to a 0‑100 scale before being blended, giving a final ranking score that is rounded to the nearest whole number. The article also notes that the system is updated weekly to reflect changes in standings and recent results.

The Top Teams

1. St. Thomas Aquinas – 23–0

The undefeated Tigers lead the list, boasting a 3.2‑point average margin of victory. Harrison cites their dominant setter, sophomore Maya Hernandez, who averages 9.4 assists per set. A link to the St. Thomas Aquinas team page provides full match statistics and a roster with player height, weight, and previous school information.

2. Jacksonville Preparatory – 21–1

J‑Prep sits a notch behind with a single loss to St. Thomas. Their star outside hitter, senior Kofi Williams, is highlighted for his 28‑point game against St. Thomas last week. The article links to a Jacksonville Preparatory coaching bio for head coach Linda Marquez, who mentions that the team is “tightening their serve‑receive patterns.”

3. Baldwin‑Hammond – 20–2

The Lions, known for their powerful serve, have a 7‑set win streak. Harrison quotes coach Tony Reyes on the importance of the “strong serve‑set transition.” A link to the Baldwin‑Hammond player profile reveals that their libero, Lily Nguyen, led the league in digs per set.

4. Tampa Bay Christian – 18–4

Despite a few key injuries, the Crusaders hold a respectable ranking. Their top scorer, junior Aisha Baker, is linked to a Tampa Bay Christian statistics page that lists her average 6.8 kills per set. Coach Mark Ferguson says the team “has great depth” and is “getting stronger each week.”

5. Holy Trinity Catholic – 17–5

Holy Trinity, a perennial contender, is praised for its balanced attack. Harrison notes that the team’s defense is the focus, citing the 2.3‑set average of blocks per set. A link to Holy Trinity’s defensive coach, Jenna Kelley, gives a brief bio and her coaching philosophy.

The article continues through the 22nd spot, highlighting programs such as Lake City Academy (16–5), St. Mary’s (15–6), North Jacksonville High (14–7), Eastside High (13–8), and Westside High (12–9). Each entry includes a short “Season Snapshot” paragraph with key metrics and a direct link to the team’s page for further details.

Emerging Storylines

Momentum Shifts

A prominent narrative throughout the article is the recent “surge” of teams like Baldwin‑Hammond and St. Mary’s. Harrison’s own comments note that Baldwin‑Hammond’s 7‑set win streak has spurred them into the top five, while St. Mary’s has turned an early‑season 8–8 record into a 15–6 finish thanks to a “re‑energized front row.”

Coaching Changes

The article provides a sidebar on coaching turnovers, linking to new head coach profiles. For example, Lake City Academy has just hired former collegiate assistant coach, Carlos Diaz, and his first‑season impact is already being measured in the rankings. The sidebar quotes Diaz saying, “We’re building a culture of resilience,” and links to an interview on the Lake City Academy website.

Player Development

Harrison highlights standout players whose performance growth has contributed to their team’s ranking. The linked Player Spotlight sections include metrics such as “kills per set,” “serves per set,” and “block efficiency.” Notable names include Maya Hernandez (St. Thomas), Kofi Williams (J‑Prep), Lily Nguyen (Baldwin‑Hammond), and Aisha Baker (Tampa Bay Christian).

Supplemental Content & Navigation

The article’s design is highly interactive. Each team’s name is a clickable link that opens a mini‑profile summarizing:

• Full roster with player statistics
• Recent game recaps
• Upcoming schedule
• Head coach bio and interview

There is also a “Compare” tool that lets readers overlay the top 10 teams’ stats, which is linked to a spreadsheet hosted on the Jacksonville.com servers. For fans interested in the broader high‑school volleyball landscape, the article offers links to the Florida High‑School Volleyball Association (FHSVA) rankings and the National Volleyball Coaches Association (NVCA) high‑school guide.

Additionally, a “Download PDF” button allows readers to save the ranking list with embedded team logos and contact information. A “Share” widget encourages readers to post the rankings on social media.

Key Takeaways

1. St. Thomas Aquinas remains the powerhouse with a flawless 23‑0 record, largely thanks to an efficient offense and a strong serve‑receive unit.
2. Jacksonville Preparatory’s single loss does not deter them from being the second‑most formidable program, driven by veteran leadership and a balanced attack.
3. Momentum matters—teams that’ve won recent sets (Baldwin‑Hammond, St. Mary’s) have climbed the rankings dramatically.
4. Coaching changes are playing a pivotal role in team performance, with new hires at Lake City and other schools injecting fresh tactics.
5. Statistical depth—the embedded links give fans and scouts a deep dive into player efficiency, making the rankings not just a bragging rights list but a data‑rich resource.

The Bigger Picture

By the end of the season, the rankings will reflect the culmination of training, strategy, and sheer will. The Jacksonville.com team plans to update the list each Friday, providing a clear narrative arc of how programs rise, fall, and stay in the spotlight. For parents, players, and local enthusiasts, the article serves as a compass for understanding where their favorite teams stand and which programs are worth watching as the fall volleyball season reaches its crescendo.