The 2016 4A state volleyball tournament is a mix of teams who competed mostly in D-II and D-III last year. That makes it hard to equate or compare teams. They are more traditionally placed this year (by enrollment) with the state tournaments expanding by an extra division (conference) and that pertains to these teams. It makes for an interesting battle.

Nine of the sixteen teams who qualified this year in 4A (Cactus Shadows, Prescott, Flagstaff, Greenway, Sunrise Mountain, Salpointe, Seton Catholic, Coconino and Pueblo) did so in either D-II or D-III last year. The other seven (Canyon del Oro, Saguaro, Cactus, Thunderbird, Catalina Foothills, Youngker and Dysart) did not qualify last year in either division. Six of the nine who did play last year were eliminated in the first round . That includes tournament  top-seed, Cactus Shadows.  The only three to make deep runs were Salpointe, Flagstaff (D--II each a semifinalist) and Greenway ( D-III champ).

Sit back and enjoy the action as traditional powers seek to extend their will over the inexperienced.  The first round is Wednesday Nov. 2 with quarterfinals on Saturday Nov. 5. Those matches are at the site of the high seed. Semifinals are Tuesday Nov. 8 and final Wednesday Nov. 9. Both semis and final matches are at Mountain Pointe High School.

Here's a brief look at the top seeds:

#1 Cactus Shadows: The Falcons stormed through their power-ranking matches to the tune of a perfect season (17-0), settling comfortably into 4A after losing in the first round at state last year. Led by setter Maxie Livingston and libero Kierstin Seabuck, both seniors, that duo forms the foundation of success for a team deep at all positions. Livingtson averages 10 assists per set and Seabuck anchors a strong defense. Cactus Shadows is 10-0 against 4A teams that qualified for state, five of those wins against teams seeded in the top 10. The Falcons were taken to five sets just once.

#2 Prescott: The Badgers' time at state last year was short, eliminated in the first round of the D-II tournament by Sahuaro. With first-year coach Josiah Ramirez at the helm, their only power-ranking loss this year was to #3 Flagstaff and they avenged that a week ago. Prescott is led on the attack by seniors Abbey Smith (252 kills), Ashlynn Uvila (197) and Alex Koehler. (192).  

#3 Flagstaff: The Eagles reached the final four last year where they lost to now 6A Millennium in the D-II semifinals. It was the second successive loss in the semis after winning championships in 2012 and 2103. Their only power-ranking losses this year are to #1 Cactus Shadows and #2 Prescott. Senior Lydia Miller and sophomore Tara Brain are the go-to players on offense. Setter Emma Rogers makes sure to feed them. Noni Thomas and Brain are forces in the middle with 86 and 78 solo blocks, respectively.

#4 Greenway: The Demons were D-III champs last year and are playing up somewhat in the newly-formed 4A. The competition has been a bit tougher, but a 16-1 power-ranking mark is solid with replacements needed for four of last year's top players. D-III player of the year last year, setter Jordyn Nelson, has enjoyed a big year. So have Rheanna Earley (277 kills) and libero-turned hitter Mykenna Nelson. Greenway lacks size, but not determination to repeat as a state champ.