Punahou is ranked fifth in PrepVolleyball.com's inaugural national rankings for the 2012 girls' volleyball season, according the Web site's press release.

The Buffanblu, who won 'Iolani's Ann Kang Tournament earlier this month, was ranked fifth in the Web site's final volleyball poll last year. Punahou returns setter Tayler Higgins and outside hitters Carly Kan and Taylor Dayton.

No other Hawai'i teams were mentioned in the top 100 list.

Punahou opens the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season at Kamehameha, 6 p.m. Aug. 28.