6A volleyball: The Fab 5 of 2016
November 2, 2016 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365
The top teams in the state's biggest division -- 6A -- don't change much year to year. The familiar squads are still there. Some have moved up a bit this year and others have dropped slightly. It will come down to who's the steadiest in their final four matches and from this vantage point that's the top-five seeds exclusively -- Hamilton, Xavier Prep, Corona del Sol, Perry and Mountain Pointe.
The tournament's first two rounds are Wednesday Nov. 2 and Saturday Nov. 5 at the site of the high seed. The semis Tuesday Nov. 8 and title match Wednesday Nov. 9 are at Mesquite High School. Desert Vista is the two-time defending state champion and seeded No. 9.
Here's a peek at the exceptionally talented top-five seeds:
#1 Hamilton (33-7): The Huskies are the only school in the field that's finished in the top-four in the power rankings each of the last four years with this being their first at the top. Hamilton has often played at the level of the top team and may be the most well-rounded of the squads collectively. Hamilton fields several multi-year starters led by senior middle Prentice Anderson (429 kills), setter Sydney Lostumo and junior hitter Darian Clark (332 kills). Lostum has endured an injury-plagued season, but was back in action for the final matches of the season. Hamilton is 8-3 vs. the other top-five teams. The Huskies are still seeking their first state title with runner-up finishes three times between 2010-2015.
#2 Xavier Prep (32-6): The Gators opened the year with an impressive performance at the Durango Invitational where they finished runner-up. A lull here and there after that, but nothing to dissuade you they are not not a threat for the title. Xavier is led by junior hitter Lanie Wagner and senior middle Makena Patterson. Versatile setter Shannon Shields is adept at spreading the ball around and there are ample options for attack beyond Wagner and Patterson. Team defense is a strength and the greatest area of improvement as the season has progressed. Xavier is 3-4 vs. the other top-five teams and finished the season on a roll.
#3 Corona del Sol (35-5): The maturity of players who have played together 3-4 years has been a difference maker for this deep Aztecs' team. All-around junior Brooke Nuneviller and senior middle Lauren Forte are two forces for coach Ben Maxfield at the net. Madi Reum and Abby Meyer can set for more than just Nuneviller and Forte with hitters Erica Ronda and Emma West contributing. Corona is a solid with ball control and been as consistent as any team in the field, winning one invitational and placing second in another. Forte has been hobbled a bit of late, but the Aztecs' depth has made that less of a problem. Corona is 8-3 vs. the other top-five teams.
#4 Perry (25-5): Perry made strides last year as a team to be reckoned with and that's continued this season. The Pumas got off to blazing start winning an invitational and their first 15 matches. They leveled off in late September and early October. Facing a tougher schedule the final month, particularly two-region matches each with Xavier and Hamilton (1-3 record), took some of the luster away. Perry has beaten Xavier and Hamilton, but has not played Mountain Pointe or Corona del Sol. Perry is led by all-around senior Amanda Aguirre, junior middle Ryann Davis and senior Kennedy Kaminsky. Consistency on defense will be the key for the Pumas its run. Perry is 2-3 vs. top-five teams.
#5 Mountain Pointe (32-8): The Pride were somewhat under the radar as the season began, but that label disappeared quickly. Mountain Pointe battled Corona del Sol to the wire in the 6A Central Region race and enjoyed its best moment with a 7-0 record at the Gilbert Invitational in early October playing all state-title worthy programs. Mountain Pointe is led by senior outside hitter Chapin Gray, one of the top attackers in 6A and six-rotation player. Junior setter Gabby Leo and senior libero Anna Morse guide the defense. Leo gets other hitters involved besides Gray -- opposite Avery Luoma, Piper Manross and smallish middle Nura Muhammad, who plays bigger than her height (5-8). Freshman Becca Morse is a huge help with the defense she provide. Mountain Pointe is 2-7 vs. the other top-five teams.
NOTES: Rounding out the top-10 seeds are No. 6 Millennium, led by senior outside hitter Jessica Vastine. No. 7 Gilbert is led by senior outside hitter KJ Lines, its leader by a huge margin in kills and digs. No. 8 Horizon is in postseason for the 32nd time in 37 years Valorie McKenzie has coached the Huskies. They are led by ouside hitter Erin Clark and middle hitter Karen Scanlon. No. 9 Desert Vista is led by senior libero Kendall Glover. Glover, bound for the University of Georgia, is on pace to break the school single-season, dig-record held by her sister, Lexi. No.10 Basha is led by setter Alex Fisher and libero Kiana Gonsalves. The #6 through #10 teams are a combined 0-43 vs. the top-five teams.