Sunnyslope beat Queen Creek 3-1 to capture the 2017 5A state championship as the 2 seed but this year is guaranteed to be a little different. It was the eighth title in school history, and the Vikings return this fall as the top seed in 5A, but Queen Creek moved up the 6A Conference where the Bulldogs are seeded ninth, so there will be no championship rematch this year. Still, the field is as stacked as ever. Let’s look at some of the top seeds with power-ranking records noted::

 

No. 1 Sunnyslope (17-0): 2017 State Champion

 

“Our team has a common goal and all work very hard in all they do,” Head coach Amber LeTarte said. “They accept each other no matter our differences or age. They are a fun team and fun individuals. We have played really well this season even though we have had a few setbacks.  Defeating Jesuit at Nike, beating Hamilton in two at the Gilbert Tourney and Corona twice this season. We have the ability to be scrappy defensively and very smart offensively.”

Team Leaders: Jazmyn Wheeler, Sr. Outside Hitter. She is steady, smart, kind and aggressive. She leads by example and her teammates feel very safe with her.  She leads our team offensively and had amazing court awareness. Macy Wilke, Sr. Setter. She is a firecracker full of energy and emotion. Macy always gives 100% and is always ready to play hard. She is aggressive and dynamic.

Sunnyslope held a “Pink Out” game this year where the program raised over $2,500 for the Cancer Support Community (Teen Prom).

 

No. 2 Millennium (17-0): 2017 6A Quarterfinals

 

“Our team doesn't rely on one person to carry the load. Our success comes from everyone doing their job; playing their role to the best of their ability,” Head coach Julie Vastine said. “Some roles have a bigger load than others, but it doesn't minimize each players contribution.  We need every person on our roster in some capacity. On any given day we have different people step up and make the plays, and that is what has made us successful this season. The girls have a lot of grit and a "never give up" mentality, and that has allowed us to out-compete some teams this season. Our biggest accomplishment so far this season would be our win against Walton (GA) in the Nike tournament. They were ranked in the top 10 and we weren't expected to win, but we were able to put together consistent strings of play, and good things happened.”

Team Leaders: Nicole Hoff, Sr. Libero. Nicole is a dynamic player and leads by example.  She makes plays and extends rallies, which really helps with momentum on the court. The team relies on her to make those little plays that create more opportunities for us to score. Makaya Middleton, Sr. RS. Makaya is a natural leader. She is vocal and she pushes the team to be their best. She encourages and holds her teammates accountable. Sedona Sherman, Sr. MB. Sedona is a vocal leader too. She is aware of the teams needs and will step up and take leadership when things are going great, or when the team needs to be encouraged through adversity.

 

No. 3 Campo Verde (15-2): 2017 5A Quarterfinals

 

The Coyotes lost to No. 2 Millennium twice this year, once at the Goldwater Volleyball Festival and then again four days in a Freedom Game (3-1) back on Sept. 4. The team also lost 3-1 to No. 1 Sunnyslope two days later on Sept. 6. The Coyotes went on to win 14 straight matches after those two power-ranking losses to finish 10-0 in the 5A San Tan Region.

Team Leader: Caitlin Dugan, Sr. OH. "Caitlin keeps everyone calm and she plays that way, too," Campo Verde coach Tayler Bader told Les Willsey of AZPresp365.com. “She's our most complete player." Dugan has committed to Texas Tech.

 

No. 4 Cactus Shadows (16-1): 2017 4A Semifinals

 

“All our players understand they can grow individually as well as a team every day in practice and matches. We have been able to increase our capability as a team steadily throughout the season,” said head coach Zachary Davis.

Team Leaders: Keylee Harvey, Jr. Libero. Keylee has a passion for every point. Lauren Wamsley, So. Outside. Lauren can attack with any set against any defense. Siena McCollum, Sr. Middle. Siena has the highest hitting percentage in our program's history.

 

No. 5 Horizon (15-2): 2017 6A Quarterfinals

 

“This team is balanced on offense and has excellent ball control. This is one of the strongest teams I have had on serve receive with a team rating above 2.0 almost every match,” said head coach Valorie McKenzie. “We have strong outside hitters as well as strong hitting and blocking middles. Defensively, we are up and down, but can play with the best of them when we are up!

Our biggest accomplishment was the 6th place finish of 96 at the Nike TOC with three losses only to out of state teams ranked in the top five in the nation. The win against Xavier for my 900th career win was a big highlight for all of us at that tournament. 

Team Leaders: Claire Smith, Sr. Senior. Our Co-Captain who runs the offense with smarts and variety to allow us to be balanced and effective. Leads with her talent and her enthusiasm. Jozlyn Byers, Jr. OH. Joz is our most competitive player who loves to play under pressure. She is a well-rounded player both offensively and defensively and a top passer. Isabelle Nelke Sr. OH. Isabelle is the quiet force that makes few errors and is a very effective all-around player. A top passer, hitter and defender. Alyssa Unell, Sr. MB: Strong hitter and blocker in the middle. One of our duo in the middle that is tough to beat. Ashleigh Barto, Jr. MB. The other half of our middle duo that also hits and blocks to be one of the top in the region.

 

No. 6 Sunrise Mountain (12-5): 2017 4A Runner-up

 

“We returned 12 players from last year’s runner up finish in the 4A State Championship Game,” said head coach Robert Levardo. “Our biggest accomplishment this year is that we moved up from 4A to 5A and have played very well against the top teams in our conference and have qualified for state in 5A.”

Team Leaders: Madi Harris, Sr. M. Madi is our captain and she leads by example on and off the court. Jocelyn Teichman, Sr. OH. Jocelyn is our go to, she ignites our team with fiery offense. Payton Harmann, Sr. Setter. Payton is our quarterback, our voice on and off the court. Megan Flory, Sr. Libero., Megan is our last wall of defense, pushing herself to dig every ball to give our team another chance for a kill.”

 

No. 7 Centennial (12-5): 2017 5A Semifinals

 

“We have a handful of players that have played together for a few years now. Ashley Lifgren, Sommer Kasney, Nyjha Marcelin and Taleah Cooper,” head coach Cari Bauer said as the reason for the program’s success.

Team Leader: Ashley Lifgren, Jr. OH. Ashely leads by what she does.

 

No. 8 Verrado (14-3): 2017 5A First Round

 

The Vipers lost to No. 2 Millennium twice in the 5A Desert Qwest Region to secure the second spot in the region. The third loss came at No. 6 Sunrise Mountain (3-1) on Sept. 11. Head coach Mike Lussier (71-31) is in his third year with Verrado with a quarterfinal finish in 2016 being the highest result to date.

Team leaders: Rachel Abramson, Sr. OH. 322 kills at almost four per set. Emily Matancillas, Jr. Libero. 443 digs at five per set. Kiley Evans, Sr. Setter. 633 assists at eight per set.