Bishop’s, La Jolla and La Jolla Country Day high schools all ranked in the top five of MaxPreps’ CIF San Diego Section girls field hockey rankings released Sept. 12.

Bishop’s was on top with a 4-0 record. La Jolla ranked close behind in second and Country Day rounded off the top five.

The rankings take into account a wide range of factors beyond team record, including “quality wins” and strength of schedule, according to MaxPreps, a high school sports website. MaxPreps says its staff makes no “judgments on the merits of any individual team” while compiling the rankings.

Bishop’s field hockey coach Paula Conway credited captains Addie Kessler, Natalie Marvin, Laine Jeffery, Alex Pfister and Gabby Gaspar for the team’s success so far this season on the field and in the rankings.

“Our senior leadership has been phenomenal, leading by example both on the field and in the weight room, as well as during conditioning,” Conway said. “They continue to mentor and shape this relatively young team, setting the standard for hard work and dedication.”

Pfister, a senior who has been on the varsity team all four years, said the Knights’ close connection is another reason for their hot start.

“Coach Conway pushed us all and it built a sense of camaraderie but also a new standard of hard work for our team,” Pfister said. “As we keep going through the season, we are going to take it one game at a time and keep trying to get better every day at practice so we can make it as far as possible when we get to [the CIF playoffs].”

Similarly, La Jolla High head coach Amanda Combs Warford cited teamwork as the primary reason for the Vikings’ strong start to the season.

“Each player picks each other up and has a positive mindset that is infectious through the whole team,” Warford said. “It’s not one player doing all the work. Each player on the team has an important role, and as a team, we are stronger together.”

At Country Day, team captain Elicia Bikhazi-Green called this “the most promising beginning to a season” for the Torreys in a while. She attributed the success to the “strong group of seniors” who have focused on creating “a tight bond on and off the field.”

“It’s a privilege to work with such a special group of people, and I am excited to see how we can build on our recent success and continue to improve throughout the season,” Bikhazi-Green said.

All three La Jolla teams also rated highly in MaxPreps’ California and national listings. Bishop’s ranked first in California and eighth in the nation, while La Jolla ranked third in California and 16th nationwide. Country Day was eighth in California and 50th nationally.

Field hockey’s success in La Jolla is no coincidence, said Warford, who called it “a direct correlation” with the Coastal Clash Field Hockey Club, established in 2011 by Analia Loevenguth.

It is “the only club in San Diego that has focused youth growth,” Warford said.

“We have players starting as young as kindergarten and 4 years old,” she said. “We now have players … in high school with many years of experience. … Bishop’s, La Jolla High and La Jolla Country Day all have players that have started field hockey at a young age with Coastal Clash.”

Coastal Clash says it offers playing opportunities in San Diego year-round, including training, leagues, camps and tournaments led by high school coaches as well as players from major colleges and even national teams.