The Volleyball season is in full swing, and several teams around the San Fernando Valley are standing out as serious title threats in the early going. The rankings feature familiar squads that dominate the scene in the first edition, but some small schools making headlines also nabbed a spot on the first edition of VST’s power ranking in 2025. Here are the top ten teams heading into play this week:

1. Taft Toreadors (11-4)
   After a strong showing at the Venice Tournament this past weekend, the Toreadors take the top spot on the first edition of the VST power rankings. The reigning Open Division champions have taken 28 out of the 40 sets they have played so far this season.
2. Arleta Mustangs (5-0)
   The unbeaten Mustangs have started the year off hot. Arleta has only dropped three sets through their five wins, and looks poised to rip through the East Valley in league play.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-2)
   Just like Taft, the Cavaliers have their eyes set on not just a league title, but a city championship as well. The Cavs have faced tough competition and performed well, with wins over Venice and Sylmar already this season.
4. Kennedy Cougars (8-3)
   The Cougars have started the season hot, winning 20 of the 26 sets they have played so far. The Cougars have an experienced group that could go far this season.
5. Chatsworth Chancellors (8-2)
   Another West Valley squad, brimming with potential, Chatsworth, had a strong performance at the Venice Tournament this weekend. The Chancellors only dropped three sets the whole weekend, while posting wins over St. Monica, Granada Hills, and Eagle Rock.
6. El Camino Real Royals (5-4)
   The Royals are the fourth entrant from the West Valley to make an appearance on the power rankings. A lot of the eyes and attention are on the defending champions, Taft, but keep an eye on the Royals. They could be poised to play spoiler this season.
7. Sylmar Spartans (10-7)
   There is a winning history with this Sylmar program, and it feels like they have another squad ready to compete for hardware this season. The only question for Sylmar is whether they can find a consistent level of play against the top teams in the city, as they have a big matchup at Eagle Rock later this week.
8. SOCES Knights (4-1)
   The first entrant on the list who is not from the East, West, or Valley Mission is the Knights. This team has not played as many matches as some of the other teams on the list, but in the matches they have participated in, they appear to be a team poised for big things this season. The Knights will get a chance to really test their mettle when they face off with Cleveland later this week.
9. Granada Hills Highlanders (4-5)
   The Highlanders enter the list at number nine, but it is hard to imagine this group not moving up the rankings in the next few editions. GHC has played a tough schedule that should put them in a position to make waves when league play begins next week.
10. Northridge Academy Pumas (3-3)
    The final entrant on the list is the second squad from the Valley League in the Pumas. This team is sneaky good and tends to play up to the tougher level of competition they face.