Introducing The Observer’s high school volleyball and soccer Sweet 16 polls
For the first time, The Observer will rank high school volleyball teams in its coverage area. It will also bring back boys soccer rankings.
In addition, correspondent Cameron Williams will have a weekly written update on volleyball, which will include player profiles, games to watch and much more. Steve Lyttle will have a similar update on soccer.
Those will begin in September.
For now, here are the preseason rankings, compiled by Williams and Lyttle.
Preseason Volleyball Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | 2021 Record |
| 1. | Ardrey Kell | 4A | 31-2 |
| 2. | North Iredell | 3A | 26-2 |
| 3. | Gaston Day | IND | 30-9 |
| 4. | Providence | 4A | 27-2 |
| 5. | Cannon School | IND | 12-1 |
| 6. | Marvin Ridge | 4A | 21-7 |
| 7. | Weddington | 4A | 20-6 |
| 8. | Davidson Day | IND | 20-5 |
| 9. | Kings Mountain | 3A | 21-3 |
| 10. | Charlotte Christian | IND | 22-7 |
| 11. | Mount Pleasant | 2A | 24-4 |
| 12. | South Iredell | 4A | 20-5 |
| 13. | Arborbrook Christian | IND | 18-4 |
| 14. | Hough | 4A | 22-4 |
| 15. | West Stanly | 2A | 24-5 |
| 16. | Myers Park | 4A | 12-5 |
Preseason Boys Soccer Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | 2021 Record |
| 1. | Providence | 4A | 18-2-2 |
| 2. | Cox Mill | 4A | 18-2-3 |
| 3. | Hough | 4A | 23-4-1 |
| 4. | Myers Park | 4A | 13-3 |
| 5. | Concord | 3A | 24-3-1 |
| 6. | Shelby | 2A | 23-1-2 |
| 7. | Gaston Day | IND | 17-2 |
| 8. | Christ The King | 1A | 22-1 |
| 9. | Lake Norman | 4A | 16-4-3 |
| 10. | Hickory | 3A | 22-4-1 |
| 11. | Stuart Cramer | 3A | 21-3-1 |
| 12. | Charlotte Latin | IND | 14-7 |
| 13. | Lincolnton | 2A | 20-1-3 |
| 14. | East Lincoln | 2A | 14-9-2 |
| 15. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 17-4-4 |
| 16. | Weddington | 4A | 14-4-3 |
Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer