Agua Fria's gaudy record; state VB stat leaders
October 19, 2012 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365
A 36-5-1 overall volleyball record doesn’t tend to get overlooked.
But the team with that record, Avondale Agua Fria’s volleyball team, has yet to play a high-ranked Division II team. But the Lady Owls aren’t ducking the competition.
They are playing the schedule they were assigned. What Agua Fria accomplishes in its final matches is what might start grabbing the attention of Division II foes, however.
The team is one win away from completing its perfect seedings record and landing one of three automatic section playoff bids. What the program also is looking forward to is hosting and winning a first round match for the first time in a long time.
The amiable Stephanie Parker is in her 8th season as the program's coach. This year, Parker is working with an experienced team that’s accustomed to the year-round expectations to excel.
“I have a great group,” Parker said. “All of them are in the top-10 percent of their class.
“I don’t have to yell or scream at them. We do have a great bond. They know not to cross the line. I’m here for them. They are the customers. If they aren’t enjoying it, then I’m not enjoying it.”
This past offseason, five of Agua Fria’s players (Brittany Carpenter, Katerina Diaz, Delaney Micensky, Hannah Rowan, Allison Sullivan) played for the same club team for the first time.
That helped create a strong bond, said Diaz, a libero, four-year varsity player and captain.
“We are all friends outside the gym,” Diaz said.
Agua Fria doesn’t possess a player taller than 5 feet 11, but it does have four players (Cheyenne Footracer, Rowan, Carpenter, Sullivan) with more than 130 kills each.
“Our serving has been strong as well as our serve-receive,” Parker said. “We’ve been able to do more with our offense this year because we are passing so well and getting opponents out of their system because we serve pretty tough.”
The playoffs start in 11 days for Agua Fria, which should be enough time for the team to cope with a couple of key injuries.
Volleyball stat leaders regardless of division
Kills
No. 1 Izzy Miller, Sr., Arcadia 286 kills, 5.6 per game
No. 2 Jasmine Hanna, Jr., Queen Creek, 308 kills 4.9 per game
No. 3 Cassie Hendricks, Sr., Pinnacle, 365 kills, 4.8 per game
No. 4 Baylee Little, Sr., Highland, 144 kills, 4.6 per game
No. 5 Tess Baldonado, Jr., Holbrook, 185 kills, 4.6 per game
No. 6 Stephanie Mendivil, Sr., Cienega, 353 kills, 4.6 per game
No. 7 Sarah Sponcil, Jr., Veritas Prep, 263 kills, 4.5 per game
No. 8 McKenna Woodfoord, So., Red Rock, 187 kills, 4.5 per game
No. 9 Kristen Hains, Sr., Marana Mt. View, 163 kills, 4.4 per game
No. 10 Kenzie DeVries, Fr., Florence, 409 kills, 4.4 per game
Blocks
No. 1 Kylee Jones, Sr., Duncan, 113 blocks, 2.8 per game
No. 2 Maria Zuniga, Jr., San Manuel, 101 blocks, 2.5 per game
No. 3 Monique Montoya, Sr., Duncan, 90 blocks, 2.3 per game
No. 4 Rachyl Thomsen, Sr., Williams Field, 97 blocks, 2.0 per game
No. 5 Analisa Robles, Jr., San Manuel, 73 blocks, 2.0 per game
No. 6 Cloe Weber, Jr., Williams Field, 83 blocks, 1.7 per game
No. 7 Mia Sokolowski, Fr., Tucson, 72 blocks, 1.7 per game
No. 8 Tatum Winter, Sr., Millennium 66 blocks, 1.7 per game
No. 9 Kayla Melgar, Jr., Tempe, 79 blocks, 1.6 per game
No. 10 Emma Bergeson, Sr., Mesquite, 111 blocks, 1.6 per game
Assists
No. 1 Roxanne Lake, So., Hamilton, 644 assists, 9.2 per game
No. 2 Brenna Barker, Sr., Red Rock, 386 assists, 9.2 per game
No. 3 Shelly Larsen, Sr., Queen Creek, 642 assists, 9.2 per game
No. 4 Bree Davis, Sr., Flagstaff, 528 assistst, 9.1 per game
No. 5 Jessi Lammers, Jr., Campo Verde, 609 assists, 8.5 per game
No. 6 Kelsey Marks, Sr., Cactus Shadows, 648 assists, 8.3 per game
No. 7 Balley Gina, Fr., Tucson, 439 assists, 8.0 per game
No. 8 Shandie DeMuth, Jr., Holbrook, 319 assists, 8.0 per game
No. 9 Kaelee Penrod, Jr., Blue Ridge, 287 assists, 8.0 per game
No. 10 Justine Spann, Fr., Basha, 355 assists, 7.9 per game
Digs
No. 1 Katie Fleming, Sr., Saguaro, 289 digs, 8.3 per game
No. 2 Haley Braun, Jr., Fountain Hills, 368 digs, 8.0 per game
No. 3 Chelsea Stacy, Sr., Duncan, 314 digs, 7.9 per game
No. 4 Hailey Leffel, Jr., Flagstaff, 396 digs, 6.8 per game
No. 5 Brittney Boyd, Sr., Saguaro, 186 digs, 6.4 per game
No. 6 Amanda Benson, Sr., Xavier, 589 digs, 6.2 per game
No. 7 Lindy Dyer, Sr., Valley Christian, 406 digs, 6.2 per game
No. 8 Mia Mazon, Sr., St. Mary’s, 335 digs, 6.1 per game
No. 9 Gaby Paterson, Sr., Coconino, 364 digs, 6.0 per game
No. 10 Gaby Contreras, So., Ironwood, 397 digs, 5.8 per game
To view all of the state’s stat leaders go here.
Aia365.com will unveil the state volleyball brackets beginning at 9 a.m. on Oct. 27.