Girls volleyball begins in earnest this week

September 2, 2014 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


A couple schools squeezed in a season-opening girls volleyball match last week, but most everyone else joins in this week for the start of the 2014 season. Up for grabs are five division state titles. Defending champs are Xavier (D-I), Sunnyslope (D-II), Flagstaff (D-III), Northwest Christian (D-IV) and St. David (D-V).

Today (Tuesday Sept. 2) Xavier and Flagstaff begin defense of their titles. Xavier plays host to Centennial while Flagstaff is on the road at Bradshaw Mountain. Northwest Christian's first match is Wednesday (Sept. 3) at home vs. Horizon Honors. Sunnyslope is idle until Tuesday Sept. 9 for its opener, a road match with Corona del Sol. Other matchups of note this week: Tuesday Sept. 2 -- Hamilton at Mountain Ridge, Ironwood Ridge at Tucson, Gilbert at Basha and Veritas at Glendale Prep. Wednesday Sept. 3 -- Horizon at Xavier, Flagstaff at Tuba City.

Xavier opens D-I defense with arguably the best player in the state in tow in junior hitter Khalia Lanier. Lanier gave a verbal commitment to USC back in July. Xavier graduated most of its starting lineup from 2013 with senior Molly Scheel the only returnee along with Lanier with extensive varsity time. Xavier has had little trouble retooling when graduation hits hard. Last year's final four -- Xavier, Hamilton, Horizon and Sandra Day O'Connor. Expect plenty of challengers in D-I for Xavier. Among them Hamilton, Gilbert, SDO, Horizon and Basha.

Sunnyslope is loaded with seven players returning who filled up the stat sheet last year. The Vikings are led by Molly and Libby Fleury, Skylar Wine and setter Katie Oleksak. Sunnyslope swept all four state tournament foes last year on the way to the title. Last year's final four -- Sunnyslope, Campo Verde, Tucson and Ironwood Ridge. 

Flagstaff brings plenty of seasoned players to the new season and doesn't have a senior on its varsity roster. The Eagles are led by hitter Courtney Leffel and setter Emma Rogers. Flagstaff also was dominant at state last year not losing a set in wins over Payson, Florence, Tuba City. The Eagles were tested in a tense final vs. Cactus, but rallied from a 2-1 deficit and captured the decisive set by two points. Last year's final four -- Flagstaff, Cactus, Tuba City, Snowflake. 

Northwest Christian has won two titles in the last three years and pursues another with new head coach Chuck Hunter. Hunter takes over for Beth Lemke. NWC lost its top two attackers to graduation, but has sisters Julisa Carrizosa (middle blocker) and Jemina Carrizosa (hitter) back and another starter in junior Taylor Pearson. Last year's final four -- Northwest Christiain, Veritas, Thatcher, Chandler Prep.

St. David graduated five seniors from a 38-1 team. Top returning players are libero Brenna Murray and opposite ShaeLynn Trejo.  In all six varsity players return for the Tigers and coach Tylene Miller. St. David got the jump on most teams last week opening with a 3-0 victory over Duncan. Last year's final four -- St. David, St. Johns, Glendale Prep and Desert Christian.