VB: Marymount (CA) shines winning elite bracket at Nike TOC

October 5, 2019 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Marymount CA (light uniforms) in action in the title match of the Platinum bracket against Mater Dei (CA). Marymount won the prestigious bracket in three sets. (AzPreps365 photo).

Only one Arizona school got a shot this weekend at the eventual winner of the elite (Platinum) bracket at the Nike Tournament of Champions Volleyball Invite contested in the Valley.

Corona del Sol managed a three-set victory Friday in pool play over nationally-ranked Marymount CA (Los Angeles). Save that, no one could subdue the Sailors as they beat higher-ranked Mater Dei, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon in the final of the Platinum bracket at the Kroc Center in Phoenix.

Marymount, situated 13th in MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings early this week, knocked off top-ranked Cathedral Catholic CA in cross bracket play and then took down North Raleigh Christian NC, Mira Costa CA and No. 3-ranked Mater Dei. The Sailors posted a 6-1 mark in its seven tournament matches.

Two Arizona teams earned spots in the Platinum bracket by winning cross-bracket matches early Saturday -- 6A Hamilton and 5A Horizon. Hamilton defeated Corona del Sol in three sets and ultimately finished fourth in the bracket. The Huskies lost the third-place match to Mira Costa CA. Horizon bested Desert Vista in three sets, but settled for eighth place losing its three Platinum matches to -- Mira Costa, North Raleigh Christian and Hagerty FL.

6A Desert Vista, 6A Corona del Sol, 6A Xavier Prep and 5A Sunnyslope all qualified for the eight-team Gold bracket.  Desert Vista placed third beating its region rival Corona del Sol. Xavier finished sixth and Sunnyslope was eighth.

Finishes of note by other Arizona schools in the remaining brackets: 

6A Basha was fourth and 5A Millennium sixth in the Silver. 2A Scottsdale Christian was runner-up in the Bronze. 6A Highland won the Titanium and was 6-1 overall in the tourney after beating 3A Norhwest Christian in the bracket final. 6A Skyline was fourth in Titanium. 5A  Verrado won the Diamond with 5A Sunrise Mountain taking third and 6A Mountain Pointe notching fifth. 5A Ironwood Ridge finished third in the Emerald. Arizona dominated the Ruby bracket won by 6A Queen Creek, runner-up Chandler, third-place Casteel and fifth-place Seton Catholic. 6A Mountain Ridge won the Opal and 4A Coconino was fifth.