Season

High school girls volleyball is back in the Bay Area, and an intriguing season lies ahead.

Fresh off a NorCal Open Division championship, Archbishop Mitty begins the new year as the presumptive top team in the Bay under new coach Jake Spain.

Spain, the former coach at powerhouse Marin Catholic, will get the opportunity to coach senior hitter Makenna Crosson, who was ranked as the No. 8 Class of 2026 player in the country when she committed to Minnesota last summer.

“After graduating eight seniors last year, how do we look this year?” Spain told the Bay Area News Group. “Makenna’s going to the No. 14 team in the country. Chayce Courtney returns after being the only freshman selected first-team all-league.”

The Monarchs will have to replace departed senior hitter Izzy Romero, who is now