No. 1 Notre Dame Prep (16-1)

The Saints dropped an 0-3 match to the top-ranked D-I team in Desert Vista. Besides that, Notre Dame has been flawless in matches that count towards seeding.

"We learned a lot from last year," head coach Sara Fox told AZPreps365.com. "We did not feel like we played the best volleyball we were capable of playing and the really motivated us this year. We played a tough schedule this year and that has prepared us for the state playoffs."

Fox lists senior opposite Willow Johnson as her offensive leader and senior setter, Natalie Kish as her "true leader."

"She (Kish) is selfless and puts her teammates needs before her own," Fox added. "Any unique stories about any of your kids or coaches?

Notre Dame swept both Ironwood Ridge and Flagstaff.

 

No. 2 Millennium (17-0)

Head coach Julie Vastine credits several of her players for the success of the Tiger program including setter Alyssa Avitia, outside Terayah Stukes, libero Nicole Hoff and another hitter in Jessica Vastine.

"Our team doesn't rely on one person to carry the load, Vastine explained. "Our success comes from everyone doing their job and playing their role to the best of their ability.  Some roles have a bigger load than others, but it doesn't minimize each players contribution."

 

No. 3 Flagstaff (16-2)

Beth Haglin lists outside hitter Courtney Leffel, opposite Haley Turner and middle blocker Jazzi Joerger as her team leaders.

"Our success stems from the team working hard to always succeed. They never see themselves failing," Haglin said. "The struggles have been them being to hard on themselves, but never their teammates.

"We have a fantastic group of young ladies. My hope for them is to create great memories and always give it their best!!!"

 

No. 4 Salpointe (16-1)

Lancer head coach Heather Moore-Martin has many leaders on her squad but seniors Carly Lowry and Allie Weaver have made the biggest difference.

"Both are committed leaders who have sacrificed for volleyball," said Moore-Martin. "Success is a reflection of commitment and team chemistry! (We have) a really great group of girls who succeed in the classroom and are willing to work hard in the gym after school!"

 

No. 5 Ironwood Ridge (13-4)

"As you know, we’re still trying to do something no other Tucson team has done since 1993 – win a big-school State Championship," head coach Bill Lang explained.  "We’re in State for the 13th consecutive year (the longest active streak in Tucson) and we’ve been to the semifinals eight of the past nine years including the finals last year.  Other than Sunnyslope’s dominance, no other program has done that at our level.  We just haven’t won it yet."

Lang lists Hannah Semon, Kayley Mohr, Alexis Orth, Macy Kurtz and senior middles Baylie Stephens and Jaelyn Olsen as his leaders on the court.

 

No. 6 Marcos de Niza (15-2)

Jamie Rohme lists sophomore steer Tatum Rohme, senior outsides  Aubrey Boyles and Marissa Kyman as her leaders along with freshman libero Katy Denham and senior middle Aurei King-Hill.

"Katy has stepped into a huge role for the Padres taking the main defensive responsibility this season," Rohme said. "She (King-Hill) is a huge offensive and defensive weapon with great leadership qualities," Rohme added.

 

No. 7 Prescott (14-3)

Erinn Marroquin, Grace Hendricks, Blake Johnson, Abbey Smith, Ashlynn Uvila and Bailey Anderson are all listed as the top players for the Badgers according to head coach Shellie Bowman.

"These girls have been successful because they have been playing together since they were young, Bowman explained.  "They respect one another and work well together."

 

No. 8 Deer Valley (14-4)

"My leaders are my three captains Emily Conlin, Ciara Merrifield and Kobie Dunn and Remie Johnson," head coach Jackie Wallace said.

"They each bring different leadership qualities to our team," Wallace added. "Emily is a four-year varsity veteran who has run the show since her freshman year and has committed to Anderson University in South Carolina."

Johnson transferred in from O'Connor last year.

 

No. 9 Coconino (12-6)

The Panthers are led by setter Tristen Eddie, libero Jessica McNeese libero and middles Jalisa Ingram and Michayla Cabrera. Outside hitters Dana Parker and Lauren Touchstone have also come up big for Coconino according to head coach Kerry Kriesel.

"This team is pretty special in the fact that they genuinely like each other on and off the court, " Kriesel said. "They hold each other accountable and push each other, on and off the court, to be the best they can be.  They are the ultimate definition of teamwork."

 

No. 10 Sahuaro (14-3)

Cougar head coach Rachel Balsiger lists Morgan Nash, Brielle Sterns, Abi Nash and Gianni Romero as her leaders.

"We have a great group of dynamic and smart athletes! They all have their specific roles and they do them well," said Balsiger.

 

No. 11 Cactus Shadows (12-5)

Head coach Zach Davis credits leaders Micaela Muehlich and Desi Reese.

"(We have) ten seniors with a lot of experience in competition. They love to compete against each other as well which makes for productive practices," Davis explained.

 

No. 12 Mesquite (13-4)

Team leaders are Makena Smith, Jordan Schumacher and Payten Russo according to head coach Carlos Flys.

"Although we are shorter than most every team we play, we have very strong ball control and what we lack in size and athleticism, we make up for in volleyball ability and IQ," Flys explained.  "This team has been resilient since the start of the season overcoming many injuries like season-ending ACL tear to Kylie Ridge and two concussions."

 

No. 13 Seton Catholic (12-5)

Patti Schoenhardt lists team captains Kirsten Companik and Halle Johnson as her leaders.

"The reason our team has been successful has been heart!  This Seton team has a ton of heart and they know how to stay a team during times of adversity while always working hard and never giving up!" said Schoenhardt.

 

No. 14 Tucson (10-5)

The Badgers are led by Florida commit Mia Sokolowski and senior setter Bailey Gin. Longtime coach Amanda Larriva is in her first year at Tucson.

 

No. 15 Rincon/University (12-5)

The Rangers are led by Victoria Corona, Cate Webb, Hannah Parish and Reilly Salkowski. Nick Mata is in his second year at Rincon.

 

No. 16 Sunrise Mountain (12-5)

Team leaders are Hannah Comb, Avery Potter Rylee Anderson.

"We started bonding on our program's retreat to become a unit as a team and as family. This keeps us strong during matches no matter what the outcome," said head coach Robert Levardo.