A new queen was appointed in Division II beach volleyball.

In Division I, Sandra Day O’Connor still reigns supreme.

The comeback kids of Estrella Foothills shocked the D-II field to win the title after defeating Arcadia 3-2 Wednesday at Casteel High. Estrella Foothills rallied for the third consecutive time to pull off a playoff upset.

But Arcadia (14-2) also deserves its share of congratulations for reaching the final. In the D-II state semifinals, Arcadia may have pulled off the biggest shocker of the beach season when it snapped Salpointe’s 82 team match win streak.

Salpointe hadn’t lost a team match since 2019. Arcadia pulled off the stunner without one of its top players.

But the D-II title went to the very resilient program of Estrella Foothills. The No. 1’s, Autumn Hill and Abby Stenz, clinched the match, but, after dropping the first game 21-11, it didn’t looking promising for the duo.

Arcadia’s Alexa Helms, one half of last year’s D-II pairs championship team, and partner Chloe Herwig were a set away from helping their program win its first team title. But being down a set in the playoffs—it happened in the semifinals as well—wasn’t new to Hill and Stenz.

In the second game between the teams’ No. 1’s, Estrella Foothills began to gain momentum after a tip by Hill and Stenz kill to go up 8-6.

From there, a deep corner and cut shot by Stenz and an unexpected back set over the net for a point by Hill gave Estrella Foothills a four point cushion that helped them stay in front and win the set. With the rest of the matches over and the teams tied 2-2, the tension grew as fans and teams rushed to see the final and determining set between the No. 1’s.

But the pressure didn’t seem to faze Stenz and Hill. Lady luck also seemed to be on their side.

A high Hill bump pass over the net landed on the back line of Estrella Foothills’ side. Surprised that it did, Hill and her teammate gladly took the point and a 9-4 advantage.

Estrella Foothills allowed just one point the rest of the way to clinch the first title for the program. In the quarters, semis and final, Estrella Foothills needed its No. 1’s to deliver at the end and did just that.

“She (Stenz) is my best friend, and we know how to get through anything,” said Hill, who along with Stenz finished 15-0 this season. “This is awesome. This was so fun.”

Eighth-seeded Estrella Foothills (15-0) upset the No. 1, 4 and 3 seeds in the state tournament, winning each battle 3-2.

“They don’t give up,” said Estrella Foothills coach Christian Millhiser about his 2025 team. “There’s been three matches that we probably should have lost. But we just didn’t give up and kept pushing. (Stenz and Hill) just came through in the clutch.”

D-II results

Abby Stenz-Autumn Hill def. Arcadia’s Chloe Herwig-Alexa Helms 11-21, 21-15, 15-5

Emma Curry-Sadie Snyder def. Arcadia’s Brenna Satran-Priya Jain 21-16, 21-11

Kaitley Peterson-Ally Canton def. Arcadia’s Isabella Scaramella-Kinsey Hunkins 21-4, 21-7

Alitza Turley-Jade Smith def. Estrella Foothills’ Giselle Wochner-Iliana Brown 21-17, 21-12.

Emma Lindenmeyer-Tessa Dwyer-Kim def. Estrella Foothills’ Addison Burwell-Dayley Wray 21-19, 21-13.

O’Connor keeps rolling

Sandra Day O'Connor finished undefeated for the fourth consecutive year. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365) 

Of the four titles, this one may have been the toughest to corral.

Sandra Day O’Connor rolled out a roster with seven new starters this season. But the first-year players rose to the challenge to keep O’Connor’s win and championship streaks intact.

O’Connor defeated another beach volleyball big-name, Xavier, 3-0 Wednesday at Casteel in the Division I team finale. The temperatures remained pleasant unlike previous beach volleyball team finals, but a couple of O’Connor’s players still cooled coach Jamey Spartz down with a well-deserved Gatorade shower.

“I’m really proud of them and for trusting us,” Spartz said. “The girls have been so amazing and supportive of each other and taking the roles that they each accepted to help build what we are today.”

It helps to have great leaders like Delaney Singleton, Natalie Gilbert and Leyton Heldt in place.

“The glue” of the team mentored the youngsters as the team developed into an undefeated (16-0) champion. O’Connor has now won a Division I beach volleyball record 59 team matches in a row.

With many players returning, including a talented freshman class, don’t expect the north Phoenix program to trip up.

Which begs a question. How about a five-peat?

“We’ll see,” Spartz said. “We’ll see. One game at a time. But it’s definitely an option. But I’m just trying to enjoy this moment, and I’m just very happy that these girls got the opportunity to be state champs.”

D-I results

Leyton Heldt-Kaylee Woodruff def. Xavier’s Kylie Barr-Emma Robescu 21-17, 21-13

Kaiya Kearney-Imani Huesca def. Xavier’s Elle Freeland-Gracie Graf 21-9, 21-13

Sami Mondino-Alyssa Archiello def. Xavier’s Sophia Peterson-Delaney McHale 21-16, 21-8