With the 2A Volleyball State Championships getting underway Nov. 8 at Corona del Sol, several teams have their eyes on the prize in 2025.

SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN

Going undefeated (16-0) in power point play this season, No. 1-seeded Scottsdale Christian (31-6, 7-0 2A Central) has won 12 straight entering the state playoffs and are primed for a run after coming so close to a title a season ago before losing to Phoenix Country Day in the finals, 3-0.

“We are fortunate to have several skilled and experienced volleyball players. This squad is one of the most balanced we’ve ever had at Scottsdale Christian, and arguably the most talented,” coach Julie Dickerson said.

Players to watch this postseason include Kaya Olafson, a strong outside hitter who has “very few weaknesses” and sports 1,181 career kills.

Lucy Dickerson is the heart of the Scottsdale Christian defense with 1,065 career digs, while Megan Davidson, a sophomore, has 1,792 career assists and has made “great progress” on how decisive she is on the court.

“We are a strong offensive team, but we have to control the ball to take advantage of all the finishers we have available,” Dickerson said, adding that Phoenix Country Day is likely one of the teams standing in their way.

“They have experience to go with their talent and balance,” Dickerson said.

Scottsdale Christian opens bracket play on Nov. 8 against No. 16 Arizona Lutheran, 10 a.m. at Corona del Sol.

NORTH VALLEY CHRISTIAN

The No. 2-seeded Lions (28-7, 8-0 2A West) have won 12 straight and went a perfect 17-0 in power point play this season, winning more power point matches than every club not named Phoenix Country Day in 2A this fall.

Fairly new to the 2A conference, North Valley Christian will be challenged immediately come playoff time as they played only one Top 8-seeded team in 2A this season, a 3-0 win over Trivium Prep.

“I attribute our success to persistence. A few years ago we were a very small school with very little experience. Each year we just kept improving. The amount of kids playing indoor club and beach in the offseason really helped grow our skills and experience,” coach Cory Romine said.

Standout players include Madison Sherby, a senior outside hitter committed to Arizona Christian University, Kylee Wick, a senior middle blocker, Gabby Rice, a senior outside hitter, and Mackenzie Benso, a junior libero.

“For us to win it all, we have to stay connected. When we are connected, playing together and dialed in, we are hard to beat,” Romine said.

The Lions made some noise in 2024, upsetting No. 4-seeded Veritas Prep. 3-2 as the No. 12 seed before losing to Arizona Lutheran in round two, 3-0.

North Valley Christian opens the state tournament Nov. 8 with No. 15 Kingman Academy at Mountain Point High School, 3 p.m.

OTHER MATCHUPS TO WATCH

No. 8 Benson opens the 2A state playoffs against No. 9 Camp Verde, which has one of the top hitters in the state in Page Oothoudt, who is eighth with 347 kills. … No. 13 Northland Prep’s Zillah Wildblood-Crawford owns the top honor in that category with 503 kills. They play against No. 4 Trivium Prep. … Defending 2A champ Phoenix Country Day is the No. 3 seed this year after winning it all as the state’s top seed a season ago. They begin their path to a repeat title against No. 14 Tempe Prep.

3A VOLLEYBALL

VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Defending 3A champ Valley Christian (30-10, 10-0 3A Central) are up to their old tricks once again in 2025, finishing a perfect 17-0 in power point play, two more wins than any other club in the Top 8.

The No. 1-seeded Trojans have made their way to the 3A title match in five of the past six years. They lost to Northwest Christian in 2019 (3-0) and in 2020 (3-0), beat Snowflake 3-0 for the title in 2021, then skipped a year before returning in 2022, only to lose to Snowflake 3-1 before beating Seton Catholic 3-0 in 2024.

“We graduated a lot of seniors last year, but our upperclassmen really stepped up. They took the team on their shoulders and used their experience to help us compete at the highest level,” coach Tyler Trathen said. “Their leadership and commitment have set the tone for our success this season.”

Players to watch include junior middle blocker Sadie Wahlin, who sports a .581 hitting percentage, tops in Arizona. Ellie Gregg has 462 digs at libero this season, while Sydney Simon has 357 kills at opposite hitter. Ansley Venkatesh is also one of the top setters in the state as a junior with 949 assists.

“We’re excited to be back in the state tournament and grateful for the opportunity to compete,” Trathen said. “Our goal is to battle hard and hopefully bring home another championship.”

Valley Christian opens up their quest for a title Nov. 8 against No. 16 Safford. Official start time at Millenium High School is 11 a.m.

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN

The No. 2-seeded Crusaders (24-6, 11-1 3A Metro) are looking to return their program to glory this 3A playoff season as the club sports 13 championships in program history, but haven’t won the crown since 2020.

“We need to play together, trust each other and have fun,” coach Charles Hunter said. “When we are the aggressors controlling the tempo of the game, we can battle with anyone in our conference.”

Led by senior outside hitter Cadence Roberts, who recorded 274 kills so far this season, Hunter said she has been a strong part of the program since her freshman year.

“She has been the person we rely on to get the side out, the needed kill and this year she has stepped up her defense,” Hunter said.

Senior setter Tatum Naber recorded 679 assists in 2025, while Madison Nedeljkovic and Lilly Bliss are defensively strong at the middle blocker position. Bella Bombinski, a freshman, is another outside hitter for opposing clubs to worry about.

“She has been a key to our success this season. She is a really strong outside hitter and is scrappy with her defense,” Hunter said. “She has played really steady for us this year.”

Northwest Christian opens up round one of the 3A state playoffs Nov. 8 against No. 15 Blue Ridge. Official start time at Millenium High School is set for 11 a.m.

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH

No. 5 Monument Valley hosts No. 12 Tanque Verde as the Mustangs (28-10) went a perfect 11-0 in the 3A North this season and have won 11 straight coming into the playoffs. The Mustangs relay heavily on Tehya Yazzie, who has 356 kills this season, third most in the state behind Courtney Bitselley (Window Rock) and Sydney Simon of Valley Christian. … No. 3 Snowflake (31-8-4, 10-0 3A East) has won eight straight and are 7-2 against opponents in the state bracket. The Lobos will play No. 14 Seton Catholic. … No. 6 Show Low won 34 matches this season and have one of the top defensive teams in the state with front line standout and middle hitter Livi Flake, who leads all defenders in 3A with 147 blocks. Avery Ervien is second in the state in digs with 553 behind only Lilliana Rodriguez of Chino Valley (602). The Cougars open against No. 11 Thatcher.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.