Xavier Prep's Bri McKnight returns to help the Gators take a shot at a third consecutive 6A volleyball championship. (MaxPreps photo by Mark Jones)

Volleyball season arrives late this season due to the quirk of the calender so teams will be champing at the bit to get started. Schools began official practice/tryouts on Aug. 12. First matches are Tuesday Sept. 3. 

The usual powers will be in the hunt for a title. Based on returning firepower, arguably Hamilton and Corona del Sol appear to be 6A front runners. Plenty of seasoned talent and good depth. Basha was pesky last year and also has a stable of solid returners. Xavier lost some key pieces, but always must be talked about. The Gators have won four titles, been runner-up twice and reached the semifinals the other three seasons in this decade.

The strongest teams in 5A reside on the west side with the likes of defending champ Millennium, which graduated a bunch and runner-up Sunnyslope. Horizon and Campo Verde made the most noise locally last year reaching the state semis. Campo graduated the bulk of its talented starters and Horizon returns greener, but is a traditional threat

In 4A defending champ Greenway has the pieces to repeat. Salpointe will regroup and be a factors. Marcos de Niza (semis last year), Seton Catholic, Mesquite, Arcadia and Saguaro were playoff teams last year with Marcos and Seton going deep. Those Desert Sky Region teams should be strong collectively and represent come postseason. 

3A was ruled in a big way last year by Northwest Christian, which didn't lose a set in breezing to the state title. The Crusaders will be tough again. Best bets to challenge from the eastside are last year's runnerup Arizona College Prep and Valley Christian.

The 2A landscape also has a returning power in Scottsdale Christian. The Eagles lost some talent to graduation, but remain loaded for a chance to win again.

Local invitationals emerge the weekend of Sept. 6-7 with the annual House of Payne hosted by Chandler and the following week Westwood's Tournament of Champions (Sept. 13-14). Nike TOC pops up the first weekend of October.

Here's a look at East Valley and Northeast Valley schools who responded to preseason questionnaires:

6A

Basha - The Bears are as gritty as any program anywhere and always manage to hold their own competing in the Premier Region and with other top conference schools. Coach Terry Spann has five players returning who started last year - Sr. OH Samantha Drewry (399 kills), Sr. S Aspen Aldous (57 aces, 1,102 assists), Sr. MB Lizzie Hall, Sr. MB Lindsey Otero and Jr. L Haley Carrington. Basha also has three transfers -- Sr. OH Jaelyn Hodge (Queen Creek) and Taylor Williams (Desert Vista), who will be eligible at midseason. Jr. MB Marissa Roberts transferred in from California and will be eligible immediately. Spann believes Basha will be strong from, the get-go with its experience and likely get better once transfers are eligible.

Chandler - This is the Wolves' second year under coach Robby Robson, who manages to pilot the girls and boys programs at the school. Robson tasted a boys title last May and is trying to take the girls side a step at at time. Chandler returns a few starters from last year's team that reached the play-in round. They are Jr. S Taylor Aguano (70 aces), Jr. MB Monet Whittier, and Pin Hitter Isa Glass (163 kills). The Wolves will miss Jr. OH Kailey Ray (310 kills), who is rehabbing a knee injury. Making some starts last year and having a bigger role this year are Sr. L Nikole Lunsford, Jr. PH Makenna Carrillo and So. MB Lauren Grunewald. A couple transfers will emerge the second half of the season. Robson believes the Wolves have improved positional depth and perhaps a balacned offensive attack. Looking to step up more this season.

Corona del Sol - The Aztecs are in the midst of quite a streak with title-match appearances three consecutive seasons (title in 2016 and runners-up in 2017 and 2018). The lineup is hefty again with plenty of experience. Corona lost two starters to graduation, but have very familar names on hand. Leading the way in the returners are seniors OH Mady Noble (361 kills), OH Nicole Newlin (343 kills), MB Sadie McRae (78 blocks), S Ashley Hayden and Sr. L Becca Morse (946 digs). So. Anita Babic is another setter as Corona operated some in a 6-2. So. MB Natalie Meyer got varsity time last year and a pair of transfers - Jr. OPP Anna Jackson (Mtn. Pointe) and So. OH-OPP Sydney Meyer (Desert Vista) will add punch to the attack. Coach Ben Maxfield says the Aztecs will be a more powerful hitting team. Passing well and keeping the ball in system will make the Aztecs hard to defend at the net with the aforementioned power.

Desert Vista - The Thunder bring a team to the court with size and athletic ability as they try to bounce back into contender status. Coach Molly West has a batch of returning starters that includes four seniors and three sophomores - seniors are OH Brooke Blutreich (359 kills), MB Jen Soto (282 kills, 97 blocks), MB Kamilah Anderson (97 blocks) and S Amara Horton. The sophs are L Kate Morin, OH Kylie Moran and OPP Logan Butreich. Desert Vista finished fifth in the Central Region, but managed a No. 13 seed. Won a play-in game and then lost in the first round of state to eventual runner-up Corona del Sol.

Dobson - The Mustangs are eager to make a push at qualifying for postseason. They have six seniors who were starters last year - OH Emma Boyle (137 kills), OH Isabella Descalzo, L Bailee Brusnahan, OH Emily Smith, MB Bailey Kemper (178 kills) and MB Daisy Schoose. Coach William Robinson thinks the experience is enough to "get the job done night in and night out."  The addition of some sophomores who have shown they can compete at a high level is a plus. The lack of height along the front row could be a stumbling block. Dobson must climb several spots in the power rankings to gain a play-in spot. 

Hamilton - The Huskies are always in the title mix. That won't change. They've been ranked in the top six or better in the power rankings every year this decade. It doesn't seem like it's been since 2014 they were last in a title match. This year bodes really well for a team stacked with a veteran, starting presence and plenty of depth. Coach Sharon Vanis has seven players back who started - seniors OH Bailey Williams, S Reilly Babcock, L Bella Zapata (501 digs) and MB India Rhodes. The others are Jr. S Diana Ethridge and sophomores OH Jordan Middleton (275 kills, 132 blocks) and RS Micah Gryniewicz. Three more sophomores are set to contribute -- MB Halli Hooks, S-DS Tatum Thomas and OH Addison Harris. Also joining the fray at midseason is transfer MB Jahara Campbell (Mtn. Pointe). Vanis is buckled up for season with the usual rugged schedule and anxious to see how chemistry develops with younger and senior players. Hamilton is seeking the program's first ever championship.

Mesa High - The Jackrabbits have won back-to-back East Valley Region titles and shared a third over the past three seasons. That spot could be challenged this season. Top returners for Mesa are senior setter Kate Hatch (974 assists, 204 kills, 79 aces) and her ability to distribute to a variety of hitters. Twin senior middles Brooklin and Bridgit Carter (124 blocks) are back for a second varsity season. Sr. Roma McEvoy (391 digs) is a returning libero. Sophomore Quincy Cummard, junior Ashtyn Michaels and freshman Jazlyn Jackson will be asked to fill the void of graduated standout Annie Hatch.

Mountain Pointe - New coach Andrew Yamashiro has a handful of starters back - Sr. MB Lexi Golleher (102 kills), Jr. OH-L Bria Samilton (530 digs), Sr. MB Kahrizma LeBard Kyles and Sr. OPP-MB Desiray Armstrong (149 blocks). Yamashiro said the Pride lost a few players to transfer and will be led by their defense. They are young on the pins. 

Perry -  The Pumas attempt to regroup again after losing in five sets in the state semifinals each of the last two seasons. Coach Fred Mann's squad lost 10 seniors to graduation. Perry returns three starters - senior outside hitters Tatum Stall (278 kills, 287 digs) and Sian Richardson (264 kills), who were 1-2 in kills in 2018. Also back after a half season starting after transfer is junior setter Jenna Heller. The newcomers from varsity or JV wars who could find a niche include pin players Ella Rud and Alyssa Montoya and middle Sydney Badhorn. As usual advancing through the brutally tough Premier Region is never a cakewalk.

Pinnacle - Four starters return for the Pioneers and coach Kate Paine. They are two-year starter Jr. S and captain Brooke Cowie (1,053 assists), a Fresno State commit, three-year Sr. L Sami Scott (305 digs),  junior middle Madison Lounds and Jr. OH Olivia Rattler (226 kills). Returners who could step in as starters are Sr. MB Leigh Morton and Sr. RS Grace Nader. Pinnacle will rely on athleticism, fast tempo and grit and perseverance for every point. Its top three top offensive players graduated. 

Queen Creek - The Bulldogs moved up to 6A and finished third in the Central Region behind Corona and Mountain Pointe. They reached the quarters at state and just missed an automatic berth to state (No. 9 seed). Coach Erica Crismon has two returning starters - Jr. S Jaden Drollinger and Sr. MB Savannah Bloom (63 blocks) is the returning leader in kills (100). Queen Creek lost its top attacker to transfer, but picked up two via the same route. Others that saw time last year with expanded roles in 2019 are Jr. OPP Jada Wilson, Jr. MB Klair Bloom and Sr. L Summer Hiser. Queen Creek has lots of new blood and big block in Wilson and Savanna Bloom. Postseason is an expectation again.

Red Mountain - The Mountain Lions are hoping to make strides, which would start with a postseason berth that's eluded them in recent years. Coach Kristy Simmons sees improvement offensively and defensively hoping it translates into the above. Returning starters are Sr. S Lindsey Thraen, Sr.  MB Peyton Hathaway Jr. MB Claire Luz-Hoxsie and Jr. RS Kadin Susco. Red Mountain tied for fourth in the East Valley Region last year and missed play-in qualifying by two spots.

Skyline - The Coyotes couldn't edge out Mesa for the EVR title the last two years, but hope this is the year to fix that and go beyond. Coach Vee Hiapo welcomes back plenty of experience - Sr. S Gabby Green (978 assists, 72 blocks), So. MB Demya Tate (166 kills, 122 blocks), Sr. and versatile Emma Lopez, Sr. libero Tiana Perry, Sr. MB Sarah Funk, So. MB Rebekah O'Day, Sr. S Shelbie Rash. Transfer OH-MB Jasmyn Tate, who sat out last season, is being counted on for a huge year with lofty credentials. 

Xavier Prep - There is work to do for the Gators to snare a third straight 6A championship. One doesn't have to worry they will take up the challenge. Coach Lamar-Renee Bryant  has firepower back from  last year in Sr. MB Jasmine Knight (255 kills, 138 blocks) and Sr. OH Bri McNight (318 kills). They were the top two in kills last year and Knight led in blocks. Defensively the veteran is Jr. L-DS Kaori Robertson (271 digs). The hole is filling in for four-year starter Shannon Shields, last year's state Gatorade Player of the Year. Likely stepping up to key roles are varsity returnees Sr. OH Juli Westfall, Sr. DS-L Abby Converse and Jr. S-OPP Zaira Reyes. Bryant likes the mix of seven returners and seven new faces. The Gators weakness is its youth and strength is legacy and tradition. Bryant is confident Xavier will contend and be dangerous come playoff time.

American Leadership - Gilbert - The Eagles are looking to step up in the Metro East after posting a 16-20 record in their second season last year. Veteran coach Steve Crook has lots to work with and and experienced group of returning starters to begin with. They are led by third-year starters Jr. S Sydney Smith,  Sr. L Kalyssa Cauthen (204 digs), Sr. L Kenzie Garrison and Jr. OH Annie Oliverson. Crook expects a big year from Jr. MB Carissa Hayes (214 kills, 46 blocks) and also has Jr. OH Roxy Crum and Jr. OPP Mary Tukuafu. Another returning varsity player who could settle in is Jr. MB Sadelle Owens. Crook sees the Eagles' strength as play at the net with good blocking and its offensive attack. Seeking a state tourney berth and a good run.

Arizona College Prep -  Coach Heather Orr lost only one starter from last year's state-runner-up squad. That said expectations are high and Orr figures their will be a target every match from opponents. Returning starters - all seniors - are MB Krista Rowan (246 kills, 65 blocks), OH Hailey Blixt, OH Kelsey Burns, MB Tendall Weigand (195 kills, 48 blocks) and S Julia Golichowski (57 aces, 604 assists).  Stepping in as RS are Jr. Wynter Ray and Sr. DS Emma Byrd and Kennedy Orr. Orr hopes to see her team improve and diversity its defensive schemes to adjust to opponents.