The Globe’s first Top 20 girls’ volleyball poll: Return of Noga Naveh elevates Brookline to No. 1

Brookline returns Globe All-Scholastic selections Emilie Ferdinand (left) and Bella Bacon as they look to take the next step and capture the Division 1 title after losing to Newton North in last year's championship. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Brookline’s path to the Division 1 girls’ volleyball final last season was remarkable.

The Warriors lost their 2023 kills leader, Noga Naveh, to injury, but still completed the regular season undefeated at home. With Naveh, a junior, and both Globe All-Scholastic selections (Emilie Ferdinand and Bella Bacon) entering their senior seasons, the Warriors open the season ranked No. 1 in the Globe’s Top 20 poll.

Three-time defending champion Newton North returns the state’s best player, Sasha Selivan, but has rotation spots to fill too, putting in the No. 2 spot.

Franklin could be poised for a breakout season. The Panthers did not win the Hockomock either of the past two years, and earned the No. 10 and No. 9 seeds in the D1 tournament, but made the semifinals once and lost to finalists both times.

Medfield, Weston, and Bellingham all return the majority of their teams, and may show that Division 3’s best can compete with anyone. All three were finalists last season (Bellingham in D4).