No. 5 Abby Russell is one of the key returners for defending champ Salpointe. Photo by Jim Willittes/maxpreps.com.

This is the first volleyball preseason team outlook azpreps365.com will run leading up to the Aug. 27 competition start date for the 2018 season.

4A

Salpointe

The defending champ is returning five players who started at some point during Salpointe’s championship run.

It did graduate its leading hitter and setter, though. 

Key returning players:

Senior opposite hitter Madison Sundholm. “We are expecting great leadership and solid all-round play (from her),” coach Heather Moore said.

Sophomore Andrea Owens. “She has matured as she continues to be our number one outside hitter.”

Junior middle Abby Russell. “She has the ability to go all the way around the court.”

Senior middle Claire Dunn. “She has matured and has taken ownership of the middle hitting blocking position.”

Senior Alex Parkhurst. “She is returning from a knee injury that ended her season last year. Will be moving into the outside hitting position.”

Sophomore setter Brandy Kishbaugh. “She is excited to run our offense after playing behind our outstanding setter Peyton Lewis.”

2018 goal: “Our goal is to come together as a team after losing two important seniors in our program.”

More about the program: “Many of our athletes are beach players who have committed solely to beach and have stopped playing indoor club volleyball.”

Desert Edge

The Scorpions are returning four starters, including last year’s MVP, senior Mikayla Sparks, a six rotation player with a great serve, leadership and consistent offensive/defensive play, coach Brandon Sparks said.

Key returning players:

Senior Joi Harvey, an Air Force Academy commit. “She is a 6-4 presence who will be very difficult for opposing teams to deal with. Not only did she lead the Scorpions in blocks in 2017, she will surely do damage on the offensive side of the ball,” Sparks said.

Junior Taylor Brown. “She is a Division I prospect with tremendous athleticism who shows great potential to lead the team in many offensive categories.

“I believe this team has the weapons to make a deep run in the playoffs.”

3A

Tanque Verde Volleyball

Tanque Verde returns seven starters from a 2017 state quarterfinal roster with no seniors.

Key returners:

Junior Ainsley Malis. “Ainsley is a setter by trade but will pass and attack for us this year. She is our court leader…fearless, competitive, highly skilled,” coach Michelle Malis said.

Junior Brianna Ede. “Bri is a stabilizing force on the court who has excellent ball control.”

2018 goal: “To finish in the top two in our region and to win three matches at the state tournament.”

2A

Arizona Lutheran

The team is returning four starters from a 2017 playoff season but lost five seniors who contributed last year.

Arizona Lutheran has won at least 30 games or more in three of its past four seasons.

Key returning players:

Senior Shelby Naber. She’ll move from DS to setter this year. “She’s a true court leader and encourager,” coach Brad Bode said.

Senior libero Hailey Cereske. “She is definitely the leader/model of effort and intensity in the backrow.”

Junior setter Katie Turner. “She chases down volleyballs that you think can't be chased down.”

Senior outside hitter Jordyn Patterson. “She has outstanding athletic ability and capable of dominating on the outside.”

Senior middle blocker Emma Wendt. “An up and coming middle who is eager to be a big part of the offense.”

Junior outside hitter Kaylee Palm. “She’s a model of consistency in all six rotations.”

2018 goals: “We're in a talented region, which includes Trivium Prep, Parker and an athletic Tonopah Valley team. If our younger players can mature quickly and our offense can find its rhythm, we have as good a chance as anyone to challenge for a region championship and go deeper in the state tournament after a one and done last season.”

1A

Anthem Prep

The program reached the state semifinals for the first time last year, winning 19 matches in the process.

Key returning players:

Senior middle Georgia Vallery. “She is an amazing athlete with a strong serve and very good defense,” coach Raymond Wrublik said.

Senior outside Kelly Moczulski. “She hits hard. Has a strong serve and can play all around.”

Senior setter Nicole Shibata. “She is a consistent player who can play all around.”

2018 goal: Make it to state.