The Paly volleyball team celebrates a point in the win against St. Francis in the CIF NorCal semifinals.

– Matt Ersted

The Palo Alto High School Varsity Volleyball team (9-0), ranked fifth in the nation according to MaxPreps, will play Presentation High School in a non-league match today to open its home schedule.

The Vikings won the High Sierra tournament in Reno over Labor Day weekend to start the season with nine consecutive wins.

Coming off of the Division I State title last year, Paly looks to continue its success against high-profile opponents like Presentation, which just beat local power St. Francis.  Presentation is ranked No. 24 nationally, according to the same MaxPreps rankings.

Of the six starters from last year’s state championship team, four seniors return this year: outside hitter Maddie Kuppe, opposite hitter Caroline Martin, middle blocker Melanie Wade, and setter Kimmy Whitson.  Outside hitter Trina Ohms and libero Megan Coleman graduated last year.

The game takes place at 7 p.m. tonight in Paly’s main gym.