The Division IV girls fall state volleyball tournament begins Thursday at the Prescott Valley Events Center.

The two-day, 16-team tournament concludes on Saturday with the 6 p.m. final. The defending champ is this year’s No. 1 seed, Thatcher.

What follows is a preview of the D-IV first-round matches. The seeds for each team are next to the teams.

For stories on the five state volleyball tournaments, color photos and rosters, you can download for free a state volleyball program. 

D-IV first round matches

No. 1 Thatcher vs. No. 16 Walden Grove: Thatcher’s Kelly Motes, a senior setter/right side hitter, is the team’s go-to player. She played a huge role in last year’s state championship run. Danica Rowan, a junior middle blocker has a “cannon” of an arm and also played a key role in last year’s state championship season. Middle Ashtyn Lunt can dominate from anywhere on the front row. “We are loaded with talent,” coach Ellen Robertson said. “It’s a matter of the girls coming mentally ready to play.” Coach Matt Malone and his Walden Grove girls have done quite a job this year, turning the program around from a one-win season last year to 15 victories this year. Jazmyn Smith and Cassidy Hicks are the kill leaders for Walden Grove. 

No. 9 Pueblo vs. No. 8 Glendale Prep: Pueblo is making its first playoff appearance in more than 20 years, so congratulations go out to coach Mario Matanza and his girls, including junior setter captain Marisol Flores Marina Orr and junior Topacio Salazar, for the job they did this year on and off the court. The team’s GPA average was 3.6. “What we lack in height we make up for it in strength, durability and speed,” Matanza said. Glendale Prep is young and suffered a lot to injuries this year, but the team does bring a lot of spirit to the court, coach Jennifer Roberge said. Setter/middle blocker Giana Cirulli holds the team together. Setter/opposite hitter Riley Roberge provides a lot of the much-needed energy.   

No. 12 Scottsdale Prep vs. No. 5 Arizona Lutheran: This is the first meeting between the teams this season. Scottsdale Prep is led by the very competitive Annie Bailey, a senior outside hitter, and senior setter Samantha Cyr, the vocal leader and cheerleader of the team. Arizona Lutheran bounced back from a couple of early season injuries with the help of its senior leaders. Five of the six seniors on the team have played on varsity since they were freshmen. Middle blocker Ruth Buchholz epitomizes the team’s never-say-die attitude. Outside hitter Rachel Sebald never rests and will do anything to make sure the ball doesn’t hit the floor. Right side hitter Hayley Meshay is the team’s athletic pogo stick.

No. 13 Trivium Prep vs. No. 4 Willcox: Trivium Prep is in its first year as an Arizona Interscholastic Association member and is playing without seniors. The team is 17-13-1 and carries with it the experience of winning a Charter Athletic Association division championship last year. “Our success can be attributed to 12 girls who work hard every time they’re on the court and who aren’t afraid to take risks in order to become better volleyball players,” coach Beth Wilson said. The team feeds off outside hitter’s Anna Rosztoczy’s all-around game and intensity. Outside hitter Cassidy Bates doesn’t get rattled, said Wilson, who also said that setter/libero Kylie Rusick’s enthusiasm is contagious. Willcox’s (24-2) only loss to a D-IV school this year was to No. 6 seed Desert Christian. Meira Stanger’s hitting percentage is .331, and LaRee Crockett, freshman Samantha Kortsen and sophomore Mackenzie Welch each have more than 100 kills this season. Kortsen leads the team with 96 aces and 195 digs. Marielle De Baun is averaging 4.2 assists per game.

No. 14 Tombstone vs. No. 3 Pima: “We have good chemistry and play as a team that’s united,” said coach Gerald Hekekia about his Pima team. “Serving and receiving was our downfall, but we have gotten better in these two areas.” Jessica Sherwood and Kaylee Kay have “great” verticals and get a majority of the sets. Middle blocker Callie Thygerson is very intelligent and can play every spot on the court, Hekekia said. Setter Jessica Taylor is the team’s vocal leader. This will be the first meeting of the year between Tombstone and Pima. Tombstone’s Abby Gonzales was hitting .464 after 18 matches. Tombstone’s serving percentage was at 93.2.

No. 11 American Leadership vs. No. 6 Desert Christian: Coach Tim Zemp went from coaching in Canada last year to coaching a team in the Valley of the Sun that’s making headway in its first season of AIA eligibility, American Leadership. “I’m pleased with the direction this team and the program is going,” Zemp said. “Coming from out of state I have tried to feel out the competition and divisions. We are in a good spot and hope to continue working hard and surprise some teams.” Four of ALA’s starters are sophomores and one is a freshman but most of the players on the team play club ball. Setter Madison Gilchrist and outside hitter Katt Limongi have helped steer the team throughout the season. Desert Christian’s seniors are 71-8 in their high school careers. Those seniors and coach Shannon Huetter helped turn around a program that was 0-17 six years ago. “The great play and leadership from our seniors and the team chemistry has lead to a successful season thus far,” Huetter said. “Our team has many weapons and role players who contribute significantly to the team.” Some of those key players on this “seasoned” team are, setter Addison Vavala, middle Taylor Usry, middle Summer McDonough, outside Sydney Henderson, libero Emily Clauser and outside Julia Hull.

No. 10 Joy Christian vs. No. 7 Rancho Solano: Joy Christian’s players quickly adapted to the new coaching staff this year with the help of its four senior starters, including hard working setter Tess Eblin, a powerful middle, Nichole Eckman, and McKayla Cantrell, a determined and aggressive opposite. “The team has been successful because they are relentless and diverse,” coach Amy Boniface said. “They make plays because there is no other option.” While Joy Christian welcomed new coaches this year, Rancho Solano welcomed four transfers this year. “Both sides (new and veteran players) have been excellent, and I think it has brought us closer as a team,” coach Em Haas said. Senior outside hitter Shannon Gurley is an “amazing leader” who inspires her teammates on and off the court. “The girls are resilient, show up every day ready to work hard and willing to learn new things,” Haas said.  

No. 15 Buckeye vs. No. 2 Mohave: Buckeye has done a better job of closing out games successfully in the latter part of the season. “Our team’s success is due to the players doing their best to stay together as a team and believing in each other,” Buckeye coach Jessica Gehrts said. One of those players who is stepping up for Buckeye in pressure situations is senior outside hitter Kristina Northup. “She is a competitor,” Gehrts said. Buckeye is 11-11, and Mohave is an impressive 21-2, but Buckeye took Mohave to five games on Oct. 13. Mohave has two great captains in Lillie Mueller and Fernanda Badilla. Mueller and Natasha Radic form one of the better combinations in the middle in the state. Kalani Reehil is in charge in the back row. “The success that we have had this season so far did not happen overnight,” coach Zdenko Radic said. “We are constantly working on changing the culture and are receiving a lot of commitment from the girls.”