Coach a win away from No. 800

October 2, 2014 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


Horizon High’s Valorie McKenzie already won her 800th match as coach, but she doesn’t know exactly when.

When she started coaching at Horizon 35 seasons ago, McKenzie didn’t keep track of wins and losses. Her focus was on establishing a solid volleyball program early in her career.

That goal and three state titles later, mission accomplished. At some point in her career, McKenzie started keeping track of her record, and the victory tally stands at 799.

The next milestone victory for McKenzie might come on Friday or Saturday when Horizon plays in what’s becoming one of the must-watch vollyeball tournaments in the state, hosted by Gilbert. McKenzie currently ranks 45th nationally for career high school girls volleyball coaching victories and is 25th on the active career list.

She, however, ranks No. 1 in Arizona in girls volleyball coaching wins.

Gilbert’s round robin volleyball tournament schedule

Friday

9 a.m. Horizon vs. Hamilton; Xavier vs. Basha

10 a.m. Corona del Sol vs. Hamilton; Desert Vista vs. Mountain Pointe

11 a.m. Gilbert vs. Hamilton; Xavier vs. Corona del Sol

noon Basha vs. Mountain Pointe; Horizon vs. Desert Vista

1 p.m. Mountain Pointe vs. Horizon; Hamilton vs. Basha

2 p.m. Corona del Sol vs. Gilbert; Desert Vista vs. Xavier

3 p.m. Hamilton vs. Desert Vista; Basha vs. Corona del Sol

4 p.m. Mountain Pointe vs. Gilbert; Horizon vs. Xavier

Saturday

9 a.m. Gilbert vs. Xavier; Corona del Sol vs. Horizon

10 a.m. Desert Vista vs. Basha; Mountain Pointe vs. Hamilton

11 a.m. Basha vs. Gilbert; Corona del Sol vs. Desert Vista

noon Horizon vs. Hamilton; Xavier vs. Mountain Pointe

1 p.m. Hamilton vs. Xavier; Basha vs. Horizon

2 p.m. Gilbert vs. Desert Vista; Mountain Pointe vs. Corona del Sol