No matter how well the setter disguises the direction of the pass, or how many hitters are approaching the net, when a vital point is needed there’s usually only one true option.

The opposing blockers know it. The coaches on both sides have discussed it with the defenses. The line judges are praying the spike it isn’t hit directly at them.

Vertical leaps are upwards of 25 inches. Speed after contact can touch 50 mph.

In other words: Look out!

That’s because the main and go-to-hitter on girls volleyball teams, only have one mission: Get the kill.

So as the 6A state volleyball tournament gets underway Thursday, Nov. 6, with the top 16 teams remaining, the pressure seemingly mounts, but these types of players relish in it.

For them, the only pressure comes in the form of the volleyball itself at 4.6 psi.

“I personally don’t mind it – I’m mean I Iove getting sets,” said Corona del Sol’s Hayden Conner, who ranked 34th in the nation in hitting percentage (.452) as of Nov. 4. “I want to be the one getting kills all the time. I guess there’s pressure, but it is a sport I signed up for. I enjoy it and I love to lead. If the play runs through me, that just means more kills.”

She’s not the only one. It’s part of the hitter’s DNA. When they approach the net – regardless of who knows it – there’s only one goal: WHAM.

“It’s a great feeling knowing (the set) is coming your way,” Xavier junior Tessa Larkin said after a win over Corona del Sol. “When the ball goes up, you go after it.”

These types of hitters will be showing off their power, confidence and strength as the tournament has four rounds of championship level of play over the next 10 days.

There’s a good chance when the last two teams remain on Nov. 15 and the championship game is played at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum with a 7 p.m. start, there will be a clear go-to hitter on both sides of the net.

Conner led the 6A with 397 kills, while Highland’s Isabella Stojkovic was next with 372. Casteel’s Brooke Harwood is third at 366, Perry’s Kalista Fuller is next with 355 and Larkin at 354 rounded out the top five.

With that said, there are times when teams have to switch it up and go with the secondary options because the defense is doing an excellent job of taking out the No. 1 or every once in a while, even the best of the best have an off night.

“I know I can rely on my teammates,” Larkin said. “It makes my job of whole lot easier when I know they have my back. I know someone is going to step up.”

The top seeds are the usual contenders in No. 1Xavier, No. 2 Coronal del Sol, No. 3 Hamilton, No. 4 Casteel, No. 5 Sandra Day O’Connor, No. 6 Sunnyslope, No. 7 Highland and No. 8 Liberty.

Eight of the last nine champions came from this group as Xavier won it all in 2017, 2018 and 2024, Corona del Sol brought home the title in 2016 and 2022, Hamilton went back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, while O’Connor won the trophy in 2023.

The Gators come in as the favorite as they haven’t lost a regular season game to an Arizona team since Oct. 29, 2024, to the Aztecs. They have won 37 of the last 38 regular season matches dating back to the end of the 2023 regular season

The big school state championship usually follows the seeds with very few teams outside of the top four make it to the title game as only seventh-seeded Perry in 2023 and fifth-seeded Mountain Pointe 2016 were the outliers with both finishing as state runners-up.

There are a ton of variables that lead to the eventual champion.

Talent is always vital. Throw in some health, a touch of luck, and confidence helps out. Camaraderie is key, and quality coaching is necessary.

And execution is everything.

“It’s a serve and pass game,” Xavier coach Lamar-Renee Bryant said after beating Corona early in the season. “You have to stay focus and competitive. It’s game time and you know what is on the line. You have to produce night in and night out.”

Especially, the big hitters. This is their time.  There will be a play that clinches the win. Chances are the set will come their way. Only one thing left to do.

Swing away.