The CIF Southern Section has been releasing in-season girls volleyball rankings every Tuesday afternoon since Sept. 15. Ontario Christian checked in at No. 19 in last week’s section rankings despite having an enrollment of only 390, which is one-fifth the average enrollment size of schools in the Top 20. The next smallest school in the Top 20 was top-ranked Sierra Canyon with 509. This is nothing new for Ontario Christian, which was the smallest school in the Division 2 section playoffs in 2021, 2022 and 2023. So how has a small private school from the Inland Empire been able to compete alongside the top teams in the Southern Section? Ontario Christian setter Crystal Briggs #1, second from right celebrates a ace with teammates during the Ambassador League girls volleyball match in Ontario on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Like all private schools, Ontario Christian does not have a true attendance boundary. The volleyball program gets players from multiple communities in and around Ontario, and the Knights also have benefitted from the occasional transfer. That said, Ontario Christian has not had a player receive a Division I college indoor volleyball scholarship in more than a decade (Carly DeHoog, Washington, 2013). “I think it all starts with what our school has to offer,” said Paige Liebhart, who has been coaching the varsity team since 2009. “We have been able to rebuild year after year because people are coming here as much for the school as for the volleyball program. It has been a blessing to have the community that I have here. That support has allowed us to build the program up to this level.” Liebhart was 21 and only three years out of high school when she was handed the reins of Ontario Christian’s varsity team in 2009. She was assistant coach for one season at her alma mater (Western Christian) and Ontario Christian’s junior varsity coach for two years. Liebhart said her primary goal when she took over was building a family atmosphere. Nailing down the Xs and Os would come later. “I think the young, confident me felt I was ready,” Liebhart said. “Looking back now, I might ask myself, ‘What were you thinking?’ There were some rough times those first few years, and it took a lot of me growing as a coach to help get things moving forward.” Ontario Christian head coach Paige Liebhart looks at the championship trophy after defeating Los Gatos in the CIF State Division II girls volleyball championship at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG) Ontario Christian’s rise to the top tier of CIF Southern Section teams has been impressive. The program vaulted from Division 7 to Division 2 in a span of five years. Ontario Christian won the Division 5 section championship and Division III state title in 2018, and the Knights followed that up by capturing the Division 3 section championship and the Division II state title the next season. “In the end, it really comes down to the players,” Liebhart said. “They are the ones who have taken the program to higher levels.” But there can be no doubting Liebhart’s impact over the years. Ontario Christian extended its Ambassador League winning streak to 65 matches with last week’s win over Woodcrest Christian. That streak was in jeopardy twice last year against Arrowhead Christian Academy. The Knights were missing key players in both meetings, but Liebhart made in-match adjustments that helped her team rally for wins. “Paige understands the high school game is about bringing together players of different ages and skill levels,” senior outside hitter Dakota Zieman said. “She values each and every player and knows how to accentuate our strengths. She has implemented the importance playing as one and being a real team. Because of that, when things might not always be going our way, we can always find our way back.” Related Articles High School Sports | IE Varsity’s high school football rankings, Oct. 7 High School Sports | IE Varsity’s Week 7 high school football schedule, Oct. 10-12 High School Sports | IE Varsity’s Week 6 roundup: Redlands East Valley beats Redlands, reclaims Smudge Pot High School Sports | Emotions high as Big Bear football team christens on-campus stadium with victory High School Sports | California School for the Deaf-Riverside football team looking to add to already incredible story Liebhart also has challenged her players in recent years by scheduling nonleague matches against top teams from the Baseline, Big VIII, Ivy and Southwestern Leagues. And the Knights have usually held their own. Ontario Christian owns wins this season over Redlands, Roosevelt, Norco and Rancho Cucamonga — all programs that won or shared league titles last season. The Knights were one point away from taking down Murrieta Valley, which is likely to be the top Inland team when this week’s section rankings are released Tuesday. Liebhart picked up her 300th career victory when the Knights captured the championship at the recent Freeway Games Tournament. “People have asked if I’m going to leave for another school,” Liebhart said. “I’m happy here and can’t see myself anywhere else.”