Sandra Day O’Connor and Salpointe worked immensely hard in Arizona’s spring sun to reach the top before the start of the 2022 postseason.

But they weren’t the only ones that dedicated countless hours to their craft. Despite its notable team beach regular season win over Xavier this season, O’Connor dropped a power point meeting to Millennium.

Salpointe cruised somewhat near the end of the regular season but was tested in the early portion. Despite the challenges, O’Connor and Salpointe earned what they deserved, the No. 1 seeds in the Division I and II state beach team tournaments, respectively.

The tournaments kick off Monday. 

O’Connor’s beach program has been training since 2016 to be in contention for a title.

It reached its first team final last year but lost to the program that every Division I beach program is chasing—Xavier Prep. This season, however, 10-1 O’Connor cracked Xavier for the first time and did so in impressive fashion.

Xavier, an eight time state champ, was shutout for the first time since it started playing beach in 2011. O’Connor ended that run and Xavier’s 41-team match win streak on March 30 with a 5-0 win.

O’Connor is loaded with experience and talent after graduating only one player last year. Five Division I commits dot O’Connor’s roster, including the No. 1’s, undefeated Sydnee Broadway (Grand Canyon University) and Margo Smith (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).

“We have a culture of supporting each other, from beginner to the advanced player,” said head coach Jamey Spartz, who started O’Connor’s beach program in 2016.

Spartz did her volleyball homework since becoming a beach coach and has received plenty of support from her administration and assistant coaches Jake Sena and Brett O’Keefe.

Coach Heather Moore also is surrounded by a great team at Salpointe, which also paid its dues to reach its top-seeded perch. Salpointe started playing beach in 2015-16 and won its first title last year as azpreps365.com’s No. 1 seed.

Salpointe is the defending Division II beach volleyball champ. Mark Jones/maxpreps This season, the undefeated Lancers are ranked No. 1 in another publication as well. Salpointe is maxpreps’ top-ranked beach team in the nation.

“We never really talk about being the favorite,” Moore said. “We are the No. 1 team in the country by maxpreps, which is hilarious to us. We know teams in California and Florida that are good. We are a Division II team (in Arizona).

“I tend to be pretty humble, and my team reflects me. I’m just grateful that my team is getting better.”

It might be 14-0, but Salpointe experienced its share of battles this year, especially its No. 1 pairs of Emma Hugeback and Jalynn Ransom.

“They are awesome girls and supportive,” Moore said of Ransom and Hugeback. “The team just loves them. They are hard-working girls and don’t let the losses affect them.”

Moore will lobby to also get her No. 2’s, undefeated Sophia Hernandez and Francesca Pieroni, in the pairs state tournament.

One of the unsung heroes of this year’s team is Minda Prideaux. The junior played different positions and stepped in for players this season.

With a 5-1 record, Prideaux will be ready to go at state as well as the rest of her team.

“We are improving on a daily basis,” Moore said.

D-I notes

Avery Burks (Long Beach State commit) and Jordan Suan (U.S. Air Force) are two of Perry’s leaders. … Desert Ridge’s Caprice Lorenzo will play for the University of Hawaii’s beach program. Lucci Alexander and Lorenzo are one of the top pair teams in the state. Justin Sherrill, a science teacher at Desert Ridge, launched the beach program at his school when his daughter enrolled at the school. “We are stronger than last year,” said Sherrill before the 2022 season started. … Millennium’s No. 1’s Bella Martinez-Biance Perez (New Mexico State), No. 2’s Ava Krienitz-Gabby Kucinski and No. 3’s Jordyn Dugi-Anne Braukmiller won their matches during their upset of O’Connor on March 21st. Charlotte Goto will play for St. Mary’s of the Woods College next season. … Mesa Mountain View, the two-time defending D-I Section VI champ, is led by BYU commit Briley Decker, Aaliyah Austin and Olivia Tukuafu. … Meghan O’Meara (U of A beach), Madison Carrington (ASU academics), Chloe Murakami (West Point) and Rea Workman are the top performers for Basha. … Assistant coach Brigita Mazar has been a positive influence on the lives of Desert Vista players, coach Rick Schapler said. She has coached some of the players since they were 12. College-bound Sabrina Galassi is the team’s leader. … Arcadia’s team captain, Ella Canada, carries a 4.0-plus GPA and works at a senior living center. Ally Bolden will play indoor at UC Irvine next season. The team’s No. 1’s are Rylie Sieben and Leslie Bugg. … Xavier Prep has won eight of the nine team beach tournaments the AIA has organized. The program’s coach, Tim McHale, has a beach record of 122-3. His top performers are Landree Coates (San Jose State), Summer McCann, Katie Anthony, Alexa Shiner (Westmont), and Tiff Tellez (St. Catherine).

D-II notes

Madison Navarette and Kylie Strang are Canyon del Oro’s leaders. “We are young and headed in the right direction,” said coach Ryan Call during the season. Katie Call will play at San Diego Christian next season. … Emee Fellens (South Mountain CC beach) is the leader of Deer Valley’s program. But teams can’t overlook Alana Barajas (Park University) and Lily Gentz (University of Montana) also. … “We are young but working hard to rebuild,” said Coconino’s five-year coach Scott Dendy this season. Elyce Palmer and Cate Clifton are Dendy’s top beach players. … Eastmark reached the playoffs in its second season since the program opened. The team is led by sophomores Kayla Wheaton, Taylor Chrisp, Brynlie Bond, and Hailey Cutchen. ... ALA Gilbert North is led by one of the state’s volleyball coaching stalwarts, Steve Crook. Crook is retiring after this season. Sand standout Dissy Brinkerhoff is one of the talented members of one of Arizona’s volleyball families. Brooklin Bogle had a beach offer from the University of Utah. … “We are the strongest we’ve ever been,” Notre Dame Prep coach Jamie Walsh said. Walsh added that Ashleigh Bolton has made a huge impact since she started playing as a freshman. This is the first time Notre Dame has reached the state playoffs. Lexi Yoza will play indoor at Temple University next season. … Trivium Prep has never had a losing season since it started playing beach in 2016. Maddy Hirth and the always positive Bella Flickinger are the team’s No. 1 pair.

To view the Arizona Interscholastic Association state team beach volleyball program: https://www.azpreps365.com/programs