Volleyball polls: Capistrano Valley, Esperanza and Whittier...

Volleyball polls: Capistrano Valley, Esperanza and Whittier Christian are top-ranked in their divisions in the Southern Section boys’ volleyball preseason polls.

Capistrano Valley, which returns five starters from last season’s quarterfinal team, is top-ranked in Division I.

Huntington Beach, which lost to Santa Barbara in the championship match last season, is ranked second in Division I. Newport Harbor is third and Dana Hills 10th. Surprisingly, Laguna Beach, a traditional power, isn’t ranked.

Esperanza, which reached the finals last season, is top-ranked in Division II. El Modena is ranked ninth.

Two-time defending Division III champion Whittier Christian is top-ranked in its division. Calvary Chapel, which lost to the Heralds in last year’s finals, is ranked second.